The submissions for the 48th edition of Cinéma du réel are open!
Cinéma du réel competition is a selection of up to twenty international documentary films of all durations which choose to begin their career in France at Cinéma du réel and up to twenty French documentary films of all durations which choose to launch themselves on the road to world festivals at Cinéma du réel.
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!
Catherine Bizern, artistic director and general delegate
PLEASE BE AWARE:
- Films submitted must have been completed after 14 January 2025.
- Only films never screened in France (French premieres) are eligible for the International Selection, that is films that have never been screened publicly in France, broadcast on French television or broadcast on the internet on websites accessible from France.
- Only French films never screened anywhere (World premieres) are eligible for the French Selection, that is films never screened publicly, broadcast on television or broadcast on the internet anywhere in the world
- New in 2026: the call for films will be closed after 1800 films have been received and on November 3rd at the latest.
HERE ARE THE DEADLINES:
- 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
ENTRY FEES:
- The entry fee for a film at the festival is €10 until September 30th,
- €20 from October 1st to October 20th,
- and €50 from October 21st to November 3rd.
You may submit your film to the 48th edition of Cinéma du réel (21 – 28 march 2026)