Call open
From 2 to 29 June 2025
Timeline
3 steps
Periods
- Step 1: 22 September-3 October 2025 (on site)
- Step 2: October-December 2025 (remote)
- Step 3: 30 January-7 February 2026 (on site)
Audience
2 adult filmmakers from Mauritania, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Cape Verde or Gambia who have made at least one short film
Contact
Camille VARENNE
c.varenne@clermont-filmfest.org
International residency for African filmmakers
Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, with support from the City of Clermont-Ferrand, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the French Embassy in Senegal, and the DEENTAL-ACP program implemented by the CNC with financial collaboration from the European Union and support from the Organisation of ACP States, is launching a call for applications for its first International Residency, aimed at filmmakers from Mauritania, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, The Gambia, and Cape Verde.
The Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival
Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival is the world’s largest event dedicated to the short film format. It is a must-attend gathering for industry professionals and cinephiles alike. For its 47th edition in 2025, it recorded more than 173,000 entries and brought together professionals from around the globe to discover over 300 films, presented in three official competitions (National, International, and Lab), along with thematic programs and regional spotlights.
The Short Film Market, held in parallel, gathers over 4,000 professionals (buyers, programmers, distributors, producers) around 40+ exhibition booths. As a true hub for exchange, it provides filmmakers with a privileged environment to build their networks, promote their projects, and increase their international visibility.
La Petite Fabrique – International residency for African filmmakers
Designed as a three-step professional development journey, this residency supports the development of your short film project (fiction or documentary), from initial writing to pitching it to professionals at the Short Film Market.
STEP 1: Stay in Clermont-Ferrand
22 September-3 October 2025
Clermont-Ferrand (France)
In-person residency at the Chalet du Jardin Lecoq. You will be guided by a script expert and a member of the festival programming team. Personalized support will be offered: narrative structure, character development, dialogue, treatment, pitch coaching, presentation file development, personalized screenings, and access to the festival’s video library.
STEP 2: Remote personalized support
October-December 2025
Regular mentorship and online workshops with the mentors to monitor your project’s progress and prepare your participation in the Festival and Short Film Market in Clermont-Ferrand.
STEP 3: Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival
30 January–7 February 2026
Clermont-Ferrand (France)
Participation in the Talents Connexion program and the Short Film Market. You will pitch your project in a non-competitive and friendly setting in front of attending professionals. You’ll also take part in thematic workshops.
Residency conditions
STEP 1: Stay in Clermont-Ferrand
Two filmmakers will be selected and hosted in a shared house (2 private bedrooms, shared living and working spaces) in the city center of Clermont-Ferrand during the residency. Travel to Clermont-Ferrand and accommodation will be covered. A grant of €50/day (i.e. €600 for the residency period) will be awarded to each resident to cover food expenses.
STEP 3: Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival
The two filmmakers will be hosted again for 7 days during the 2026 Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival to participate in the Talents Connexion program. Travel to Clermont-Ferrand and their accommodation and meals will also be covered during this period.
Travel/health insurance and visa costs are the responsibility of the participants.
Application process
Selection criteria
- Be a national of Mauritania, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, The Gambia, or Cape Verde
- Have directed at least one short film (fiction or documentary)
- Have proficiency in French or English, both spoken and written
- You must be over 18 years old
Application materials to submit via the online form
- Copy of passport
- CV
- Motivation letter for participating in the residency
- Synopsis
- Director’s statement (Note of intent)
- Treatment
- Link to a previously completed short film
- 5-minute pitch video in English introducing the project and your expectations for the residency
- (Optional) Script and/or detailed treatment
Practical info
Submission deadline:
29 June 2025 at 23:59 (French time)
Documents must be uploaded using the form.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Camille VARENNE
c.varenne@clermont-filmfest.org
Partenaires
Organized by the association Sauve qui peut le court métrage with the support of the French Embassy in Senegal and the DEENTAL-ACP program, implemented by the CNC with financial collaboration from the European Union and support from the Organisation of ACP States.
