European Film Festival of Lille

A professional jury awards the Grand Prix, best direction, best screenplay, best actress and best actor. The festival also lists an Audience Award and awards for animation, documentary, experimental and horror short films, with professional, student and audience juries. Prizes may take the form of cash or technical equipment loans supplied by festival partners, subject to their conditions. The separate screenwriting competition offers professional training and masterclasses, support towards making the winning short film, equipment loans, screenplay development and help with financing.

43rd edition (2027): short films must be completed in 2025 or 2026 and run under 35 minutes. A European connection is required: at least one European crew member, director or production company, filming in Europe, or distribution by a European agency. Previously submitted films, music videos and promotional films are ineligible. Non-French films require English or French subtitles for submission. Entries must be submitted online through FilmFreeway; an emailed viewing link does not replace registration. Selected films require an H.264 screening file with English and French subtitles, or a timecoded dialogue list where necessary. Rights holders must hold the relevant image, music and text rights, authorise festival screenings and limited promotional use, and cannot withdraw a film after selection. The French regulations take precedence. The separate series bible competition requires one document of no more than 30 pages containing author details, a short synopsis, series concept, statement of intent, character descriptions, story arcs, pilot script and moodboard; its published instructions prohibit AI-assisted writing.