Poitiers Film Festival

Poitiers Film Festival

Also known as: Rencontres Henri Langlois, Festival international des écoles de cinéma
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Poitiers Film Festival is built around films made in film schools. It was founded in Tours in 1977 by Henri Langlois, founder of the Cinémathèque française, who died a few weeks before the first edition; in his honour the event was named Rencontres Henri Langlois. It moved to Poitiers in 1990, became the international festival of film schools in 2000, has been run since 2004 by the TAP – Scène nationale de Grand Poitiers and took its current name in 2014.

The International Selection presents seven programmes of short films by students from schools around the world, and the So French! competition shows work from French schools. Each edition adds a country focus and a thematic cycle. For professionals, the Jump In workshops support young directors developing a first feature, and Talents en Court helps self-taught filmmakers from the region. The 49th edition runs 27 November – 4 December 2026, with a focus on new Belgian cinema and a cycle on courtroom films.

Country

France

Categories

Short, Student

Dates

27 November 2026 — 4 December 2026

Awards and prizes

International Selection: Grand Prix du Jury; Special Jury Prize; Best Direction (Prix de la mise en scène); Best Screenplay (Prix du scénario); Audience Award; Student Jury Award; Creative Writing Award (Ville de Cannes); Collectif 50/50 Award; Amnesty International France Award; Manifest Award; L'Extra Court Award; French Critics' Discovery Award (Syndicat Français de la Critique de Cinéma). So French!: Jury Prize; High School Students' Award; International Student Jury Award; Maison du Film Award; Audience Award. Jump In: writing residencies.

Festival rules

For the 2026 edition, eligible films are made as part of cinema or audiovisual training, completed on or after 1 January 2025, and never previously submitted to the festival. Films of any genre must run under 60 minutes. French- and English-language films need no subtitles; other languages require French or English subtitles. Submission is free through the festival’s online form, and multiple films may be entered. All submissions are considered for the International Selection; French films under 20 minutes are also considered for So French!. Rights holders cannot withdraw a film once its selection is confirmed. Selected films require a high-quality video file; unencrypted DCPs from the same master are accepted. Screenings use original versions with electronic French subtitles. Directors receive invitations with individual hospitality conditions. Rights holders permit promotional use of photographs and excerpts totalling up to 15% of the film. Award-winning films may be shown again within 60 days of the awards; selected films may also be used for non-commercial educational screenings.

Contacts

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