When it comes to film festivals recognised as global powerhouses, Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival would be mentioned in the same breath as Cannes, Berlin, Venice, and Sundance if, arguably, it wasn’t solely focused on short film. That it has been championing the art form of short film for 40 years, packing out 1500-seat screens day and night, is a testament to the dedication and the mission of the team behind it.

So much so, that in that time, the festival has grown to be a European centrepiece that every February draws in other short film festivals and film organisations from all over the world to take part in their Short Film Market. Seeing such global representation, all committed to short film, meeting under one roof is truly something to behold.

As festival strategists, Clermont-Ferrand is a fantastic opportunity for us to connect with directors and programmers from around the world, to discuss in person what it is they’re looking to include in their next editions and how we might be able to help. Plus, for a second year running, we were also proud to fly the British flag on the Short Film Market in our own small way - with gin, tonic and Jaffa Cakes.

That the festival is a top-tier one for filmmakers is a given. The audiences, the screens, the industry engagement, the kudos of playing in competition and the draw to be there even if your film is only in the video library, makes Clermont-Ferrand a must-attend event for anyone given reason to be there.

There are also parties every evening, hosted by different film agencies from around the world, and after those there is L’Univers, a street bar that’s open until the small hours of the morning. If you’ve ever experienced Le Petit Majestic at Cannes then you’ll know the kind of spot I’m talking about…

What’s striking about this festival is the engagement and attendance of other film festivals from around the world who flock to this French town every February. They come to take part in a packed schedule of festival panels designed to discuss the important topics of the film festival circuit, issues that effect festivals big and small, giving both festival directors, programmers and filmmakers plenty to think about.

In the short film space, it’s rare that there is an event that would attract festival directors and programmers from everywhere from Columbia to Norway, to New Zealand, to Indonesia, to The Gambia, to Bolton, to name a few. So, what is it that other short film festivals get from attending this one?

Over the last decade, one ever-present on the market is the Academy Award-qualifying In The Palace International Film Festival. Tsanko Vasilev, Festival Director of the Bulgarian festival, adds, “The Short Film Market in Clermont-Ferrand is one of the most interesting and captivating projects for the short film industry. After knowing this event for more than 10 years we’re able to testify to the importance of their work to bring closer the film industry professionals, to promote their works, and to create opportunities for long-term partnerships.”

Adrian Barber chatting with Figari International Film Festival

Adrian Barber, Festival Director at the BAFTA-qualifying Bolton International Film Festival in the UK says, “With packed screenings throughout the city and a line-up of industry events, including panels, pitches, workshops, and networking opportunities that are second to none, the Clermont-Ferrand Film Festival & Short Film Market offers everything one could desire. It stands out as the pinnacle short film event in the calendar, inspiring and invigorating all who attend. It's a great opportunity to meet up with other festivals, to exchange knowledge and good practice and to meet filmmakers from all around the world."

Jaime Manrique, director of BOGOSHORTS in Columbia, also makes a point of attending each year. “For a festival like the one I direct, the visit to Clermont every year is an unmissable event, because it is the only opportunity in the year to meet with the entire short film community of the world: festivals, institutions, distributors, government representatives, buyers, etc. This does not happen in other events around the world and for that reason it is vital to be there. The Clermont Short Film Market is unique in its kind and the investment we make to attend pays off with every connection we make. I would even go so far as to say that Clermont is where we found the contacts and inspiration to make our festival in Colombia.

Jaime Manrique, director of BOGOSHORTS, Colombia

Úna Feely, co-director of BAFTA-qualifying IndieCork in Ireland says, “Clermont Ferrand is a unique all-encompassing event for the short film world, and one that we wouldn’t miss. From meeting fellow festival organisers, to encountering filmmakers, short film organisations and catching up with worldwide colleagues at the Market, it’s the one stop shop. At IndieCork we believe the cultural and political value of short films to the human project is ever more important. So yay to Clermont Ferrand!”

Even Mark Prebble, Festival Manager at the Academy Award-qualifying Show Me Shorts in New Zealand flew in for a taste of the action. "New Zealand can feel like an isolated place to make films or build a festival because we are literally isolated by a massive ocean. I'm pretty sure I flew further than anyone else to get to Clermont-Ferrand and was there with dual missions - building relationships with other festivals and promoting New Zealand short films to TV/VOD buyers. In theory, this work can be done via email but, in practice, being in the room has a huge impact.

Mark Prebble, Festival Manager of SHOW ME SHORTS, New Zealand

“All the official stuff like panels, events and screenings are great for raising your profile and getting your face in front of the community. But it's the casual bumping into people you've vaguely met online, the sitting down for a break and sharing snacks with a random stranger, and the walking to a party with a group of programmers you've just met where the warmest relationships are built. And as for sales - you can literally feel the difference that meeting a buyer face-to-face has. The value and benefits of Show Me Shorts attending Clermont-Ferrand are hard to measure but will be felt for years."

From my own point of view, as the director of the BIFA-qualifying Exit 6 Film Festival in the UK, I also see the huge benefit in attending Clermont-Ferrand. It’s not just the opportunity to raise awareness of a UK event to a more international community of filmmakers, but it’s valuable and inspiring to see how big short film really is on the worldwide stage.

In my opinion, it’s healthy for festival directors and programmers to get a sense of where their event sits in the film festival ecosystem/food chain, for perspective, to learn from other festivals, and to swap stories of best practice to improve your own event back home.

Mostly, it’s just a beautiful thing to feel part of a global community.

The Festival Formula team ready for our Meet & Greet

Not every, or even many, short film festivals will have the resources and infrastructure of Clermont-Ferrand (resources that recently came under threat but thankfully didn’t stop the festival), but as an example of something to aspire to as film festival directors, and provide a top tier platform for filmmakers where short film is king, you’d be hard pressed to find anywhere better.

We’re already looking forward to next year!

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