Cannes Cinefondation
The student film competition at the Cannes Film Festival, selecting and screening the best student films from film schools worldwide, with cash prizes and unparalleled industry exposure.
Overview
The Cinefondation is the official student film competition at the Cannes Film Festival, the most prestigious film festival in the world. Established in 1998 by Gilles Jacob, then president of the festival, the Cinefondation selects approximately 15 to 20 student films each year from film schools around the globe for screening in the Official Selection at Cannes.
Being selected for the Cinefondation is one of the highest honors a student filmmaker can receive. The films screen in the Salle Bunuel at the Palais des Festivals during the festival, and winners are announced in a ceremony presided over by a jury of established filmmakers. The first-prize winner receives an invitation to return to Cannes with their first feature film, guaranteeing a screening in the Directors' Fortnight or another sidebar.
The Cinefondation has launched the careers of numerous filmmakers who have gone on to compete for the Palme d'Or and other major festival prizes. The competition's connection to Cannes provides student filmmakers with unmatched industry visibility and professional credibility.
What It Covers
- First Prize -- 15,000 euros, plus a guaranteed screening at Cannes for the filmmaker's debut feature
- Second Prize -- 11,250 euros
- Third Prize -- 7,500 euros
- Cannes screening for all selected films in the Official Selection
- International press coverage and industry visibility
- Professional credibility as a Cannes-selected filmmaker
Eligibility
Films must be submitted by accredited film schools, not by individual students. The school nominates films produced as part of its academic curriculum. Films may be of any length (though most selected films are between 10 and 60 minutes) and any genre. There are no restrictions on the nationality of the filmmaker or the school. The film must not have been commercially distributed or screened at another major international festival before the Cannes selection.
How to Apply
Film schools submit their strongest student work through the Cinefondation's official submission process. Each school may typically submit one or two films per year. The submission deadline is usually in March for the May festival. Schools must be registered with the Cinefondation and meet the program's institutional requirements.
Who Should Apply
Film schools should nominate their strongest student films for Cinefondation consideration. Individual students should work with their school's administration to determine whether their work is eligible for nomination. The competition rewards films with exceptional directorial vision, visual sophistication, and storytelling originality.
See Also
For festival strategy at the highest level, see Film Festival Strategy. To plan your student film production, use the Production Budget Calculator.
