Clermont-Ferrand’s short films are aiming for the Césars… and the Oscars

Clermont-Ferrand (Puy-de-Dôme) has not stopped making noise. The 48th edition of its short film festival ended with a bang: 4,500 accredited professionals (beaten record) and 173,234 entries. Almost as much as last year. The short film is doing well, thank you for it.

“The post-festival broadcast mission is already ready to start,” management also announced. And to remember that the Sauve qui peut le court-film association never stops, whether for distribution, support for creation or image education. The Clermont-Ferrand festival is not just a week of screenings, it is a talent factory.

Brilliant proof with “Two people exchanging saliva” by Natalie Musteata and Alexandre Singh. Passed through the national competition in 2025, doubly awarded (audience prize and Canal+ prize), the film is this Thursday, February 26 in the running for the Césars, but it will not be the only one.

In animation, “God is shy” by Jocelyn Charles, Grand Prix labo 2026, faces “Fille de l’eau” by Sandra Desmazières, who went through the national competition.

In documentary, “Au Bain des Dames” by Margaux Fournier and “Neither god nor father” by Paul Kermarec (Lab Public Prize 2025) continue their beautiful trajectory.

In fiction, the battle promises to be close: “Big Boys Don’t Cry” by Arnaud Delmarle, noticed in 2025, and “Mort d’un actor” by Ambroise Rateau – “Fernand-Raynaud” Laughter Prize and interpretation prize for Philippe Rebbot – are the winners. Here again, Clermont acts as a revealer.

Another textbook case: “Leave a day”, by Amélie Bonnin. Originally, an award-winning short in Clermont-Ferrand in 2022, then César for best short film in 2023. Today, his feature film of the same title is nominated four times, notably for the César for best actor for Bastien Bouillon and that of best first film.

Direction Hollywood

Once the party is over in Paris, some of the prize-winners from Clermont-Ferrand will go to Hollywood, this time with the ambition of returning with an Oscar.

In the category of best short fiction film, this is again the case for “Two people exchanging saliva”. But this time he will face “The Singers” by Sam A. Davis, presented in international competition in Clermont-Ferrand in 2026. A singing competition in a pub, a vibrant tribute to the outsiders.

On the animation side, “Papillon” by Florence Miailhe – portrait of swimmer Alfred Nakache – also continues its race towards the Oscar. Presented in Clermont-Ferrand, the film confirms that the festival is a real “springboard”, as the management reminds us: the “life of the courts” can absolutely “continue with a nomination for the César, and sometimes… for the Oscars”.

The 98th Academy Awards will take place on March 15 at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles. Clermont-Ferrand will be part of the trip.