One Laugh, One Vote
In 2027, French citizens will take to the polls to elect a new president. By next February, the presidential campaign, with all of its debates and ideas, will be in full sail.
To experience this important moment of civic engagement in a slightly different way, the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival invites us to laugh—sometimes with and sometimes at—the elements that shape our democracy. With a range of films, from lighthearted to laugh out loud, this retrospective offers a chance to be entertained and perhaps to view our political institutions from another perspective.
Four short film programs will be presented in this retrospective—some of which are Clermont-Ferrand firsts—offering a panorama of comedic genres, from childish pranks to dark humor to parody, there will be something to suit all tastes. On the menu: a military conscription day in a French suburb (Journée d’appel by Basile Doganis, National Competition 2015), a voter torn between his right hand that votes for the Left and his left hand that votes for the Right (Arthur Flèche by Samuel Hercule), the garden of a former athlete that has become the curious symbol of his environmental activism (A Wolf in the Suburb by Amélie Hardy, a Clermont-Ferrand premiere), and the final days of a Mexican president disturbed by an absurd diplomatic crisis (Mamartuile by Alejandro Saevich, International Competition, 2019).
This collection of films is centered around three themes present in each program: elected officials first, from busy governments to high-voltage assemblies; voters next, from armchair discussions to hushed deliberations in polling booths; and to finish, civic engagement in its broadest sense, from collective movements to small everyday actions. Between chaotic elections, jaded presidents, out-of-control ministers, clever or clumsy candidates, calculating or deeply committed activists across all political backgrounds, past and present, one thing is certain: In Laughter We Trust!
Vox populi, vox comedy!
And, as a bonus…
Related events
Visual arts
The traditional thematic exhibition organized by local artists will return to the Chapelle des Cordeliers from January 27th to February 15th, 2027.
Also in store is an exhibition of film posters and stills on this theme – Vox Populi Vox Comedy – presented by La Jetée’s Resource center from January 26th to February 25th, 2027.
An ideal opportunity to see democracy in all its forms unfold, carried by the wind of artistic freedom!
Let’s hit the polls!
As a dress rehearsal before the first round of the French presidential elections, the Clermont-Ferrand ISFF’s Retrospective program invites audiences to participate in a slightly less serious election. Audience members will be able to cast their vote for their favorite film from this special program, with a voting booth and ballot box on-site to boot! On this unique occasion, festival-goers will also get the chance to have their festival ticket or catalogue stamped with a “I Voted, 2027” mark.
Sylvain Desclous in the National Jury
Photo credit © Patrick Hadjadj
Born in 1973, Sylvain Desclous studied political science, law and literature. Before turning to cinema, he held numerous professions, including tennis instructor, hospital porter, gardener, French teacher in Laos, and developing and organizing seminars for large companies.
At the same time, he directed several short films, including Le Monde à l’envers and Mon héros. His first fiction feature film, Vendeur, was released in 2016, followed by La Campagne de France (2022), De grandes espérances (2023), and Le Système Victoria (2025), adapted from the eponymous novel by Éric Reinhardt. He is currently putting the finishing touches on the post-production of Le Candidat, his fifth feature film. He has been co-president of the French Directors Guild (Société des réalisateur·rices de films) since 2025.
His unique career, informed by his background in political science and law, and the tone of his films, which examine the workings of power, political engagement, and institutions, make him the ideal candidate to accompany the Festival’s Retrospective program on the theme of democracy.
It is therefore with great pleasure that we welcome him as jury member of the National competition.
Sylvain Desclous will also do us the honor of presenting a preview of his next feature film, Le Candidat in Clermont-Ferrand. (More details to follow.)
Selection committee
Sarah Momesso, Julie Rousson.