World’s Largest Short Film Festival Returns from January 30 to February 7, 2026

Clermont-Ferrand, France – Following a record-breaking 47th edition that welcomed over 173,000 attendees and 4,100 accredited industry professionals, the Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival is gearing up for its 2026 return, scheduled to run from January 30 to February 7, 2026. The festival, renowned as the largest international event dedicated exclusively to short films, has now officially opened submissions.

Filmmakers can submit their entries through the platform Shortfilmdepot, with a submission fee of €13 plus a delivery cost of one Shortfilmdepot stamp. Selected films may also be featured in non-competitive categories such as Young Audience, African Perspectives, Decibels!, and Thrills.

Four Main Competitions Open for Submission:

International Competition
Open to global filmmakers showcasing diverse and innovative storytelling.

• Eligibility: Films completed after October 1, 2024, with a runtime under 40 minutes.
• Deadlines:
  • July 11, 2024 – for films completed between Oct–Dec 2024
  • September 25, 2025 – for films completed in 2025

National Competition
A platform for celebrating French cinema in all its forms.

• Eligibility: French films under 60 minutes, completed after October 1, 2024.
• Deadlines:
  • July 11, 2024 – for late 2024 productions
  • October 2, 2025 – for 2025 productions

Lab Competition
Focused on boundary-pushing, genre-defying cinema.

• No separate registration required – films are drawn from International and National submissions.

XR Competition
Showcasing immersive experiences using virtual, augmented, or mixed reality.

• Eligibility: XR works completed in 2024 or 2025, under 60 minutes.
• Deadline: September 25, 2025

More Than a Festival: The Short Film Market

Running alongside the festival, the Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Market is an international hub for the short film industry. The 2025 edition brought together professionals from nearly 90 countries, including 800+ distributors and buyers. All submitted films are listed in the festival’s digital catalogue, with standout entries earning the Short Film Market Picks label.

The professional video library, both on-site and online, logs over 100,000 views annually, giving creators direct access to global industry professionals.

For full details and to submit your film, visit the official festival website or head to Shortfilmdepot.