Regulations Works-in-Progress 2026
Project submission – ParisDOC Works-in-Progress 2026
ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS
1. Proposed projects must be feature-length documentaries (minimum length 60 minutes) that are between the editing stage and the end of post-production. A first cut must be completed in order to apply (teasers are not eligible).
2. Projects must be free of any distribution commitments in at least two of the following three categories: festival premiere, representation by a sales agent, theatrical distribution. Please note that it is preferable for projects to be entirely free of commitments in all three categories.
3. The presentation of the project at this stage must be unprecedented, which means that no identical or similar version of the edit has been screened at any other event (e.g., a professional festival platform) prior to Cinéma du réel.
4. The selection will take into account their compatibility with the editorial line and artistic vision of Cinéma du réel.
5. Projects must demonstrate potential for distribution (festivals, theaters, VOD platforms, TV).
6. Projects from around the world are eligible to apply. They must be submitted in French or English. For films made in other languages, subtitles in one of these two languages must be available for your application to be considered.
7. The information and video file sent to the festival will remain confidential and will only be used as part of the selection process of ParisDOC Works-in-Progress.
8. Projects must be registered online between 17 November, 2025 and 7 January, 2026, using the submission form accessible from www.cinemadureel.org. The submission fee is €20. Registrations are only considered complete upon receipt of said amount by the festival.
9. The selected projects will be notified in February 2026.
PROCESS
10. The selected films in progress will be screened in their entirety, once, between 25 and 26 March, 2026, in one of Cinéma du réel’s partner venues in Paris.
11. The films are presented as works-in-progress, and their screenings are therefore not considered world premieres.
12. Each screening is followed by a discussion in the theater, then an informal meeting between the project holders and attending industry delegates.
13. Access for professionals participating in the Works-in-Progress sessions is by invitation from the Cinéma du réel team, or subject to approval.
14. Cinéma du réel will invite experts to exchange with the project holders, in order to share, as peers, analyses and recommendations.
15. The selection of films will be publicly unveiled at the end of February 2026 through Cinéma du Réel’s multiple channels of communication (website, social media, newsletter, press releases and festival’s prints).
16. A professional accreditation (worth 50€) is offered to the selected project holders, giving them access to all the festival programming and ParisDOC activities.
17. Travel and accommodation expenses in Paris are not covered by the festival.
18.Studio Orlando is a partner of Cinéma du réel. As such, one of the projects selected for ParisDOC Works-in-Progress will receive post-production support (mixing or color-grading) offered by Studio Orlando.
19. The Directors’ Fortnight is a partner of ParisDOC Works-in-Progress. As such, projects selected for ParisDOC Works-in-Progress will benefit from free registration for the 2026 Directors’ Fortnight in order to be considered by the selection committee.
MATERIAL DELIVERY AND MANDATORY MENTIONS
20. Project holders agree to provide the festival with the necessary communication elements and quality screening material: ProRes, HQ files (no DCPs). Requirements for sound: stereo (no 5.1)
21. Participation in ParisDOC Works-in-Progress implies authorization for Cinéma du réel to use the film’s promotional material (technical and artistic information, still images, extracts) in all its communication channels (printed programme, website and social media).
22. Selected project holders undertake to attend the festival in person to present their film in progress and attend meetings with industry professionals. The ParisDOC Works-in-Progress team will be on hand to help them prepare their presentation pitch.
23. No film may be withdrawn from the program after acceptance of the invitation.
24. Project holders are responsible for sending the screening copies.
25. Any film that has participated in ParisDOC Works-In-Progress and is distributed commercially or otherwise (in theaters, on television or on a streaming platform …) or presented at a festival in France and abroad, must include the following statement in its end credits “This film participated in ParisDOC Works-In-Progress – Cinéma du réel 2026” alongside the logo provided by the festival:
26. In case of a commercial or non-commercial distribution or a festival presentation in France and/or abroad, the film having obtained the Studio Orlando prize must – in addition to the mention in the end credits (see above) – visibly include the “RÉEL Coup de Coeur Orlando 2026” laurel wreath logo provided by the festival in the opening credits of the film and on all promotional documents (posters, postcards, invitations, etc.) and press kits published subsequently.
FINAL DISPOSITION
27. Registration implies unreserved acceptance and compliance with the terms and provisions of these regulations. In the event of a dispute, only the text in French is authentic.