European Short Film Competition 2026
I. Purpose
Rencontres 7e Art Lausanne aims, in a spirit of universal sharing and transmission, to reveal and highlight works of quality serving cinematic and audiovisual art.
As part of its 2026 edition under the theme HOPE, this call for projects is part of an artistic initiative designed to support filmmakers and foster their integration and visibility within the film and audiovisual industry.
II. Competition Principle
Rencontres 7e Art Lausanne establishes a selection and promotion framework for short films based on the sovereign selection of three works, presented in Official Selection and honored during an official ceremony.
Awards are granted in recognition of:
- Artistic quality
- Originality
- The relevance and depth of the interpretation of the theme HOPE
III. Eligibility Criteria
Eligible short films must meet the following conditions:
- Completion date between January 1, 2024 and March 5, 2026.
All genres accepted, including fiction, documentary, animation, and artistic audiovisual creations.
Excluded: promotional or advertising works as well as music videos.
Maximum duration: 20 minutes, credits included. No minimum duration.
Films must be created by independent or emerging directors, or by filmmakers from small-scale structures (associations, schools, universities, collectives).
Films must not have had commercial exploitation or international public screening prior to their selection.
Films must not have been freely available online.
The filmmaker must reside in a country whose nationals are permitted to enter and travel freely within Switzerland during the festival period.
IV. Languages & Subtitles
Films may be produced in any language.
Films not in French must include French subtitles for jury consideration.
For accessibility reasons, French-language films selected for Official Selection must include French and English subtitles. This requirement applies only to selected films.
Subtitles may be embedded in the screening copy or delivered separately, according to the festival’s technical specifications.
V. Submission Process
Submissions must be completed exclusively online via the official Rencontres 7e Art Lausanne portal.
A completed submission form must be submitted by June 15, 2026.
Each submission must include a valid online screening link accessible until the end of the selection process. Incomplete submissions will not be considered.
Submission implies full acceptance of these Rules & Terms.
A confirmation of receipt will be sent by the festival team.
Participation is free of charge. No submission fees apply.
VI. Selection
Selected films will be formally registered according to the procedures communicated by the festival. Such registration constitutes full acceptance of these Rules & Terms.
For selection and jury review purposes:
Rights holders must provide a valid online screening link at submission.
If selected, rights holders must provide the final screening copy and all required promotional materials within the deadlines specified by the festival.
The festival may invite selected teams to participate in discussions with the jury under conditions determined by the festival.
Once participation is confirmed, a selected film may not be withdrawn from Official Selection.
The festival reserves the right to withdraw any work that:
- Fails to comply with these Rules & Terms
- Infringes copyright or other rights
VII. Rights & Guarantees
- Rights holders guarantee that they hold all necessary rights for festival screening.
- After confirmation, a selected film may not be withdrawn from the program except by enforceable judicial decision in Switzerland.
- Rights holders agree to provide all technical materials required for screening within the communicated deadlines. Failure to do so may result in removal from the selection.
- The festival shall not be held liable in the event of third-party claims regarding screening rights. Rights holders must provide, upon request, documentation proving ownership of the relevant rights.
- The festival reserves the right to remove any work from its program in case of non-compliance with these Rules & Terms or in the event of circumstances beyond its control affecting the proper conduct of the event.
VIII. Use of Works & Communication
- The festival guarantees confidentiality and respect for copyright of submitted works. Screening links and materials are strictly reserved for the selection committee and used solely for selection purposes.
- If selected, the festival reserves the right to use promotional elements related to the work (stills, excerpts, synopsis, trailer) for communication and promotional purposes, respecting copyright and rights holders.
- By submitting a film, participants acknowledge that digital transmission involves inherent risks linked to internet usage, which shall not engage the festival’s liability except in cases of gross negligence.
- Selected films will not be made available online before the day following the official ceremony.
- Selected films must display, on film-related communication materials:
* The Rencontres 7e Art Lausanne logo
* The Nestlé partner logo
* An Official Selection mention card
This visibility does not imply any editorial intervention by the partner regarding artistic content.
IX. Attendance & Awards
The following three distinctions will be awarded:
Prix Envol
Jury Prize
Audience Award (Prix Coup de Cœur)
Prize titles, endowments, and potential monetary amounts may be specified or adjusted until the official ceremony.
Directors of films in Official Selection are invited to attend the ceremony.
Directors of awarded films are also invited to attend the ceremony. In the absence of confirmation of participation within the deadlines set by the festival, the festival reserves the right not to present or to postpone the relevant award.
Selected filmmakers may be invited to present their film and participate in discussions with the jury and the public.
X. Jury
The Selection Committee of Rencontres 7e Art Lausanne acts as the Jury.
It is composed of at least seven members, including a President who is a recognized actor or director. The committee includes professionals from cinema, audiovisual industries, media, cultural sectors, and a representative of the festival.
The festival may appoint additional qualified personalities, including individuals from academic, institutional, or associative sectors.
Members attend screenings and may engage in discussions with nominated filmmakers during the selection process.
Decisions are made collectively and independently.
XI. Unforeseen Cases
Rencontres 7e Art Lausanne reserves the right to rule on any situation not provided for in these Rules & Terms and to take any decision deemed necessary for the proper conduct of the event.
Participation in the competition implies full acceptance of these Rules & Terms.
The festival reserves the right to modify these Rules & Terms at any time should circumstances require it.
