Paris-based festival Cinéma du reel (21-29 March 2026) is inviting submissions for its 48th edition, running March 21 – 28.
The entry criteria are as follows:
- Films submitted must have been completed after 14 January 2025.
- Only films never screened publicly in France (French premieres) are eligible for the International Selection.
- Only French films never screened anywhere else (ie world premieres) are eligible for the French Selection.
- New in 2026: the call for films will be closed after 1800 films have been received and on November 3rd at the latest.
Comments Catherine Bizern, Artistic director and General Delegate (pictured above): “Such a carefully curated selection of international and French documentary films within the production of an entire year commits us, and we thank all the professionals who entrust us with their films and trust us to defend them. Alongside this competition, special screenings and our Popular Front(s) programme are here to welcome more films unseen in France – films that we believe are essential to show to the public of Cinéma du réel audience, while the Première Fenêtre selection gathers documentary debuts from young creators. We can’t wait to discover your new films!
The deadlines for submission are:
- Films completed between 15 January and 31 July 2025: Online submission duly completed and viewing material to be sent by 30 September 2025
- Films completed after 31 July 2025: Online submission duly completed and viewing material to be sent by 3 November 2025
- Films still under completion on 3 November 2025: Online submission duly completed by 3 November 2025 and viewing material to be sent by 10 November 2025
47th Cinéma du réel
In 2024, the Grand Prix, valued at a total of €8,000 was handed to James Benning for his film little boy. The Cinéma du réel International Award 2025 was won by two films: In the Manner of Smoke by Armand Yervant Tufenkian, and Monólogo Colectivo by Jessica Sarah Rinland, with a split pot of €5,000. The ParisDOC Works-in-Progress prize went to Bahía Honda by Alejandro Alonson.
Click here to see all the winners of Cinéma du reel 2024.
