DATES & VENUES
All listed dates are indicative and may evolve depending on local conditions in Paris, venue availability, and optimal timing for press and public engagement.
SUBMISSIONS
We welcome submissions of all genres, formats, languages, and nationalities across our international categories.
Projects may be entered into multiple categories and will be reviewed independently in each. Multiple submissions are allowed, whether for the same or different works. Each category requires a separate submission and fee.
Submission fees are non refundable. Filmmakers are welcome to reach out by email at any time with questions or requests for clarification.
Submissions are accepted exclusively through designated channels. If you wish to submit outside of the standard platforms, please contact us in advance.
We encourage all filmmakers to take advantage of our early deadlines and benefit from lower submission fees. Discounts or special offers may occasionally be available but do not influence selection outcomes.
Discounts and/or fee waivers may be offered to low income filmmakers, festival alumni, participants in recognized partner programs, and applicants facing specific social or humanitarian circumstances, including situations involving displacement, conflict, or human rights concerns. All requests are reviewed on a case by case basis according to written criteria approved by the Board and are subject to a two step review process. Fee waivers or discounts have no bearing on the evaluation or selection of films.
ELIGIBILITY, CATEGORIES & PREMIERE STATUS
For selection in competition, at least Paris premiere status is required for Best International Short, Best French Short, and Best Animated Short Film.
Projects must be submitted to the category that best reflects their format.
Best International Short
Narrative, live action short films of 40 minutes or less. Any country except France, genre, format, language, and nationality are eligible. Films must have been completed within the two years preceding the current edition. Paris premiere status is required.
Best French Short
Narrative, live action short films of 40 minutes or less. All genres are eligible. Films must be produced in or originate from a Francophone country, and at least 51% of the film’s dialogue must be in French. Films must have been completed within the two years preceding the current edition. Paris premiere status is required.
Best Animated Short Film
Animated films of 40 minutes or less. All animation techniques are accepted, excluding generative AI. At least 80% of the film must be animated. Any country is eligible. Films must have been completed within the two years preceding the current edition. Paris premiere status is required.
Accepted techniques include 2D, 3D, CGI, stop motion, rotoscoping, paint on glass and glass drawing, sand animation, pixilation, cutout and collage, and programmed or code based animation, excluding generative AI.
All Other Categories
Any country is accepted. Premiere status is preferred but not required.
Student submissions may be asked to provide proof of enrollment.
If a submission is entered in an incorrect category, the festival may adjust the category, or the submitter may request a modification.
COMPLETION DATE
Projects must have been completed within the two years preceding the current edition.
For the 2027 edition, any project completed on or after June 1, 2025, will be eligible for consideration in competition. Older projects may still be submitted but may be selected out of competition.
Works in progress are not accepted.
MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS
Our selection committee conducts thorough reviews and values context about both the project and the filmmaker.
We recommend that your submission profile include:
The absence of one or several required or recommended items may result in a submission being marked as incomplete and may cause it to be stopped during the consideration process.
Incomplete or inaccessible materials, such as broken links or corrupted files, may affect consideration. If your online materials change, please update your submission profile accordingly.
If an element is missing, the submission may be marked as incomplete to notify you.
The information and materials provided in your profile may be used for official communications and, if selected, for festival promotion.
LENGTH GUIDELINES
Runtime includes credits.
To compete in the official selection, runtimes are:
SELECTION & NOTIFICATION
Films are reviewed through the PFF’s established pre screening and programming process.
Selected projects receive an Official Selection laurel along with additional information via email. In some cases, selections may be announced in stages to assist with planning.
Due to the volume of submissions, individual feedback is not provided.
SCREENINGS
Screening formats vary by venue. Some theaters require DCP, while others accept HD digital files with specific technical guidelines. Final requirements and deadlines are communicated to selected participants.
Incomplete or late delivery of materials may affect screening eligibility.
Films not in French that contain dialogue are expected to include burned in French subtitles.
The festival maintains a curatorial standard for public screenings. If submissions within a category do not meet the expected quality level, a screening for that category may not be scheduled.
ATTENDANCE
The festival places strong value on in person participation. Selected filmmakers and award recipients are encouraged to attend screenings and the award ceremony, or to arrange for a representative to attend on their behalf.
TRAVEL & ACCOMMODATION
Travel and accommodation are not covered. Recommendations for local options may be provided.
SCRIPTS, SCORE & SOUNDTRACK
Scripts may be submitted whether produced or unproduced, provided they meet the applicable eligibility criteria.
For score and soundtrack categories, submissions focus on the music itself. A single .mp3 file is required.
If submitting both a film and its score, each must be entered separately.
RIGHTS & PROMOTION
By submitting, participants authorize the festival to use provided materials, including images, excerpts, and descriptions, for promotional purposes related to the event.
Screenings may be organized at the festival’s discretion, with or without ticketed admission and without revenue sharing.
AWARDS
Awards and/or Official Selection status may be revoked or rescinded by the festival at any time, including, but not limited to, cases involving plagiarism, misconduct, aggression, or disrespect toward the festival, its representatives, staff, filmmakers, guests, or any other individual.
For liability reasons, the festival does not ship awards. PDF versions of certificates will be provided by email.
The use of non official laurels in promotional or public communications may result in the festival declining to promote, share, collaborate on, or support the project’s promotional content.
If inaccurate or unauthorized laurels continue to be used after the festival has provided reasonable notice and guidelines, the project and submission may be removed from the festival program, and all Official Selection benefits may be revoked. Public disqualifications will be published.
Any unlawful, misleading, fraudulent, or biased use of the festival membership letter may be referred to the festival’s legal representative.
GENERAL TERMS
The festival reserves the right to decline incomplete or ineligible submissions.
In rare cases involving rights or originality concerns, submissions may be reviewed and addressed accordingly.
All decisions made by the festival are final.