Paris-based doc fest Cinéma du réel has put out the call for films for its 47th edition, running March 22-29 2025. The Competition section comprises up to 20 international and up to 20 French documentary films of all durations.
“Such a drastic 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,” comments Catherine Bizern, Cinéma du réel artistic director and general delegate. “Alongside this competition, the special screenings and Popular Front(s) programme welcome more films unseen in France that we believe [are] essential to show to the public of Cinéma du réel, while the Première Fenêtre selection gathers documentary debuts from young creators. We can’t wait to discover your new films.”
Click here to submit films. Click here to read regulations.
Film submissions must have been completed after 15 January 2024. Only films never before screened in France (French premieres) are eligible for the International Selection.
Only world-premiering films are eligible for the French Selection.
Deadlines
- Films completed between 15 January and 31 July 2024: Online submission deadline: 30 September 2024
- Films completed after 31 July 2024: Online submission deadline: 15 November 2024
- Films still under completion on 15 November 2024: Online submission deadline: 30 November 2023
The entry fee is €10 up to October 15, and €20 thereafter.
Films in Competition compete for the following awards:
- the Cinéma du Réel Grand Prix (Grand Prix Cinéma du réel), funded by the Bpi with the support of Procirep
- the International Award (Prix International), funded by Cinéma du réel
- the CNAP French Film Award (Prix CNAP du film français), funded by the CNAP
- the Loridan Ivens First Film Award (Prix du premier film Loridan-Ivens), funded by Capi Films
- the Short Film Award (Prix du Court Métrage), funded by the Bpi
- the Tënk Award (Prix Tënk), funded by Tënk
- the Youth Jury Award – Ciné+ (Prix des Jeunes – Ciné+), funded by Ciné+
- the Library Award (Prix des Bibliothèques), funded by the Direction générale des médias et des industries culturelles, Ministry of Culture and Communication
- the Intangible Heritage Award (Prix du Patrimoine culturel immatériel), awarded and funded by the Heritage Directorate of the Ministry of Culture and Communication
- the Sacem Award (Prix de la Sacem), funded by the Sacem and awarded to the composer of the original music for a feature film
- the Bois d’Arcy Prisoners’ Award
