This annual study is based solely on objective results communicated to Unifrance by 156 production and distribution companies.

The 2008 study indicates highly significant growth in this market at this time. With a turnover of €510,592, net receipts for the sale of French short  films in 2008 rose by over 65% against 2007. 586 sales were concluded in 2008, bringing the total number of film titles acquired to 375.
As one may expect, the best-selling French short film in this period was Le Mozart des pickpockets, winner of the Cesar Award and Academy Award in 2008 for Best Short Film.

In addition to an increase in sales receipts and the number of film sales, the number of territories in which French short films are distributed also remains at over 30 territories. Italy is now the leading territory for French short film exports, accounting for 15.7% of overall revenues, representing 78 film sales in 2008.

The emergence of new buyers in the international market also allows for the possible expansion of the theatrical exhibition market, which accounted for 12% of sales in 2008, due in particular to the flexibility of digital technology. Rights acquisitions for the television-VOD package are few and far between, although this distribution channel is likely to develop at a rapid pace in upcoming years. Other distribution options, such as VOD, cellular telephones, and so forth, remain marginal at this stage.

Television thus remains the leading distribution medium for short films, credited with 69% of sales in this period.