Hybrid version explained
Dear friends,
Late October, France went back into lockdown – just 3 months ahead of the 43rd edition of our Festival. Many decisions had then to be made, in terms of festival production or staff contracting. Pandemic figures were terrible, perspectives looked dark : what kind of festival and film market could we hope for?
It appeared quickly that a major international industry gathering on location could no longer be planned, and the Short Film Market 2021 will therefore be moved entirely online. Yet we couldn’t let go of the idea of welcoming our local audience – such a vibrant component of the identity of the festival – for our edition 2021 and of sharing again the latest gems patiently hand-picked by our team from this year’s film crop. So we took the bold decision of going hybrid. We are doing our best to maintain a lighter version of the festival in a reduced number of venues, where strict measures would apply in relation to the current context, while offering access to an online version at the same time.
We are currently developing this two-headed festival format to be held at dates planned from Jan. 29 to Feb. 6. Day after day, our team finds appropriate solutions, takes up new challenges. We hope to do justice to the extreme vitality of this year’s short film production. To play our role in placing many emerging filmmakers, actors, and other key creatives on the right track for the development of their talent and career.
Hybrid version explained
Festival venues – limited edition
The Festival 2021 will present a light version of its programme with screenings limited to 4 venues (Cocteau, Vian, Conchon and Le Rio). Seat availability will be restricted and carefully controlled to respect responsible sanitary standards, air will be renewed in theaters between screenings. This setup will enable the presentation of selected films on the big screen to members of our local audience. Because of these restrictions films will be presented in their original version with French subtitles where required. Since all industry activities are moving online and no international guests will be present, no screening room will be equipped with English subtitles during this exceptionally limited edition.
Festival also goes online
Due to limited festival seating, part of the audience will be invited to watch films in selection on the festival online version, where 31 programmes of films in the festival’s 3 competitions will be available for watching, with a dozen additional programmes, via a unique pass for the duration of the festival. Pass purchase and access to films will be open to viewers on French territory only due to rights limitation. Likewise films will be presented in their original version, with French subtitles for non-French speaking films. Enriched content will be published on the festival blog.
Like many other festivals or markets, we have to adjust to the current context. This exceptional situation has called for exceptional measures. We apologize for not being in a position to present films in various language versions. We look forward to be able to welcome our international guests and non-French speaking visitors and audiences in our city of Clermont-Ferrand for the festival 2022.
Take care of yourselves
