DEADLINE WAIVERS ONLY BETWEEN APRIL 13 & 14 USE CODE DIC2026TARDY.

Filmmakers: Screen Your Short Film During the Cannes Film Festival

Selected films screen in France during Diversity Day in Cannes before an international audience of filmmakers and industry professionals.

Awards include career-advancing prizes, including a mentorship meeting with Oscar-winner Viola Davis’ JuVee Productions.

Final Deadline: March 31

Before proceeding, please read this important message in entirety, noting the following:

1. WE ARE AN INDEPENDENT MOVEMENT.
2. WE DO NOT HAVE BIG CORPORATE SPONSORS (WE HAVE A FEW SMALL ONES).
3. WE NEED MONEY TO PRODUCE THE EVENT & CURATE A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE.
4. WE DO NOT OFFER FEE WAIVERS!!!

Created to encourage underrepresented filmmakers from unique backgrounds telling stories specific to marginalized populations to share their work before a global audience during the Cannes Film Festival. The independent Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase will promote the work of diverse (thought, race, gender, age, religion, physical ability and sexual orientation) filmmakers and recognize them globally for their achievements in film.

The top 10 to 18 films, music videos and web series from ALL eligible entries, as determined by Diversity in Cannes and its partners, will be ANNOUNCED AS OFFICIAL SELECTIONS IN COMPETITION (eligible to compete for the grand prize) LIVE ON SOCIAL MEDIA during the official selection press conference the week of April 14, 2026 (subject to change).

PLEASE NOTE: Film programming onsite, in France, will be determined by filmmaker attendance, with priority given to the 10-18 films, music videos and web series selected in competition. In the event, filmmaker participation is low, invitations will be extended to other highly rated submitters.

Showcase winners will be determined by jury and announced at an awards reception immediately following the Showcase.

While the events take place in France at the same time as the Cannes Film Festival the Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase is an Independent event sponsored by Academy Award Winner Viola Davis' Juvee Productions and the British Film Institute's inclusion team with support from Screen Australia.

Awards & Prizes

WE DO NOT OFFER FEE WAIVERS!!!

Prizes for General Showcase Winners are meant to promote filmmakers, expand their network, assist with career advancement and to prepare for future projects.

* Previous prizes listed below. 2026 prizes subject to change*

• Mentorship meeting (phone/video conference) with JuVee Productions' executive.

• Professional consultation, including mentor meeting and script coverage with
Whitney Davis and other executives at Anthony Hemingway Productions (AHP).

• Two-hour screenplay assessment with Award-Winning
Producer, Darren Dean (THE FLORIDA PROJECT, KINYARWANDA,
PREMATURE, Tangerine), to be scheduled at the convenience of both
parties.

• Agent meeting (phone/video conference) with Tracy Christian of TCA (Tracy
Christian Talent Agency).

• Mentorship Meeting (Phone or Virtual) with Writer / Producer Kyle Harimoto,
executive producer of NCIS:LA on CBS. Past credits include LAS VEGAS for
NBC and HAWAII FIVE-0 for CBS. He has current development deals with
Amazon Studios and USA / PEACOCK.

• Complimentary submission (1) to the 2027 Diversity in Cannes Short Film
Showcase.

• Complimentary submission to film festival of choice during regular submission
period.

• Complimentary consultation including character and theme development with PsychMinded Media.

• One hour festival, PR or social media strategy consultation with marketing
communications professional.

• Comprehensive list of global film initiatives to fund your next project.

• Short film score consultation with MannYScorseyze.

• Link to winning film or trailer on the Diversity in Cannes Facebook, YouTube,
Twitter and Instagram pages (as appropriate).

• Guest on Diversity in Cannes’ Cannes Conversations where film trailer as well current and future projects will be shared.

• Global exposure via press release announcing winners of the Diversity in Cannes
Short Film Showcase distributed electronically.

• Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase certificate.

Rules & Terms



WE DO NOT OFFER FEE WAIVERS!!!!

Submission Guidelines

ALL PROJECTS MUST BE SUBMITTED IN ONE OF THE FOLLOWING PRIMARY CATEGORIES:

WEBSERIES
NARRATIVE SHORT
MICRO SHORT (under 5 minutes)
DOCUMENTARY SHORT
MUSIC VIDEO

ALL "BEST" CATEGORIES (BEST ACTRESS, ACTOR, ETC) ARE OPTIONAL AND SECONDARY!!!

PROJECTS SUBMITTED WITHOUT A PRIMARY CATEGORY WILL BE DISQUALIFIED WITH NO REFUND!!!!

There is no limit to the number of entries as long as they meet requirements below.

* must be submitted by March 15, 2026 (deadlines subject to change)
* must be the work of a diverse filmmaker or tell a diverse story
* must be under 20 minutes including credits (we will consider all films < 30 mins though selection is rare.
* must have English subtitles if shot in another language
* must not contain pornography
* must not contain racist, sexist, offensive or defamatory statements intended to harm
* must not cause harm to anyone
* must not be an invasion of privacy
* must have complete rights to film’s content
* must have a copyright owner who is at least 18 years of age
* must be copyright free
* must be original work and not based, in whole or in part on material, fictional or nonfiction, produced or un-produced, published or unpublished, unless such material was originally created and published/produced by the applicant in another medium

Judges to determine official selections.

All entries received during the open call for entries will be reviewed by the festival administrator for eligibility and compliance with the entry requirements. Following the festival administrator’s review, eligible entries will be made available for judging by a screening committee of diverse filmmakers, film enthusiasts and every day people from around the world.

All films are entitled to at least 3 reviews and will be judged on the elements below. Competition films will be selected from all eligible entries. Decision of the screening committee is final!

* Creativity and Originality 

*Direction

* Writing

* Cinematography

* Performances 

* Production Value

*Pacing

* Structure

* Sound Music

* Overall Impression 

Top 10 to 18 films from ALL eligible entries as determined by Diversity in Cannes and its partners will be official selections and screened during the 2025 Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase, May 18, 2026, during Diversity Day, an independent event, concurrent with the Cannes Film Festival.

Winners will be determined by jury and announced at an awards reception immediately following the Showcase.

By agreeing to showcase your work with Diversity in Cannes Short Film & Web Series Showcase, you agree to the following:

* Diversity in Cannes Short Film & Web Series Showcase & Awards is not responsible for any lost, damaged, or stolen items, including films in any medium, while en-route or in our possession, on or off of festival grounds.

* All fees are non-transferable and non-refundable.

* Applicant claims all liability and damages in relation to any screening of applicant's submission to which applicant does not hold complete rights to its content.

* Applicant is responsible for clearing all rights to the content of the film prior to exhibition.

* Applicant grants DIC Short Film & Web Series Showcase the right to use excerpts from accepted films including audio, video, names and images to promote the festival.

* The rights-holder allows the DIC Short Film Showcase to screen the submitted work, in full, at the 2026 DIC Short Film Showcase without further communication or approval.

* Applicant permits the DIC Short Film & Web Series Showcase to retain one or more copies of applicant's film for use in the Showcase archives.

* Applicant permits the DIC Short Film & Web Series Showcase to create digital copies of applicants film for use by Showcase staff & associates to facilitate the pre-screening process.

** While Showcase attendance is not required, when determining the 2026 official selections, .priority will be given to filmmakers planning to travel to Cannes to promote their projects **

**PLEASE NOTE: For the past 3 years, we have implemented a hybrid strategy, where we screen films online and in person based on filmmaker attendance**

** While consider all short films <30 minutes, we prefer projects under 20 minutes for optimized programming. We want to showcase as many shorts as possible.
61 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Tatiana Blackington James

    DIC is to the Cannes Film Festival what Slamdance once was to Sundance, a scrappy start up with counter-programming by diverse, international filmmakers. Every film in the line up was about something. Societal issues and racial identity feature prominently as you would expect but that doesn't mean the films are ponderous or bleak. Some were wildly creative and funny. Many were as good (and often more meaningful) as some of the official Cannes selections. This is NOT a fake festival trading on the Cannes brand -- there are a few of those out there -- even though it does not come with accreditation. The lavish awards dinner Yolonda treated us all to was the perfect celebration of a fabulous day of programming. If you are already attending Cannes, this takes place in the heart of it all. A great experience.

    June 2026
    Helpful
  • Juliette Jeffers

    This was a great festival to be a part of. My short film, Pan Gyul, won 2 awards; Best First Time Filmmaker and Best Original Song. And the caliber of the other films were top tier. I'm so grateful to Yolonda Brinkley for creating this amazing showcase. She is a powerhouse! It was a brilliant idea to run it concurrently with the Cannes Film Festival. The energy in the city was electric. It's a great opportunity for diverse stories to be seen and I met so many brilliant filmmakers.

    June 2026
    Helpful
  • Nils Jacobsen

    Amazing Festival . I'm so happy to have won two awards for my movie ' Benchless' : Best of The Best short and best actor for Habib Dembélé. Yolonda you're a powerful women , also director of festival with a beautiful heart and soul. The selection was really good with strong and sensitive stories. I met wonderful people and directors in Cannes. I'm really exited to come back again . Viola Davis, you're my best actress , i love you. The first time i saw you in a movie, it was in a first feature directed by Denzel Washington Antwone Fisher ( i'm the french voice of Derek Luke ) . You slapped my heart with stunning émotions. Yolonda, like Viola , a huge thanks to put the diversity into the light of the world . It's pure, it's necessarily ,it's evident , it's simply humans love. Also thanks to the members of the jury. See you soon , best of luck. Sincerely yours. GALIAM .

    May 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    YOU ARE THE WINNER!!!!!! TU AS GAGNE TOUS!!!! FELICITATIONS. Thank you for the kind words. You are now a huge part of the Diversity in Cannes family and you're welcome to join us at any time!!

  • Shia Smith

    Overall, the Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase was a beautiful experience. While my short film, "Dawn," was an Official Selected for the Virtual Program, my short screenplay, "Doll" was an Official Selection in the Screenwriting Competition. It was an honor to hold a table reading for "Doll" in CANNES among the immensely talented filmmakers in the room. It was an amazing opportunity for which I am ever-grateful! Films screened in the Showcase were "top tier" and the love and respect among artists in the room was palpable.

    Yolonda Brinkley's tireless efforts have created an impressive ecosystem for promoting connection, excellence, and diversity in Cannes. (#ProtectYolondaBrinkleyatAllCosts)

    May 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Beautiful experience for beautiful people!!! Thank you for your enthusiasm and for creating a safe space for me to be me, the one woman show that I am, without fear of judgement.
    Shia Shabazz:
    #ProtectYolondaBrinkleyatAllCosts
    Yolonda Brinkley: #Andifyougotaproblemwithmetalktoshiashabazz (my motto til the end)

  • Tia Smith

    The Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase was amazing! Beyond having “The Heir” an official selection, make its WORLD PREMIERE, and receive the Screening Committee's Award at the showcase, it was incredible to be surrounded by so many talented filmmakers from around the world — all bringing bold, unique, beautifully crafted stories to the screen. The level of storytelling and quality of the films selected and programmed was impressive.
    Yolonda Brinkley’s passion, vision, and energy are felt in every detail of the experience. She’s created more than a showcase — she’s created a real community and space where filmmakers feel seen, celebrated, and inspired.#ProtectHerAtAllCosts :) (inside joke)
    The Black Women Cannes Lunch was also such a beautiful and meaningful gathering. So many powerful conversations, connections, and brilliant women in one room. Truly an unforgettable experience all around. Diversity in Cannes continues to be an important and necessary platform for filmmakers, and I’m honored to now be a part of its legacy.

    May 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    And if you got a problem with Yolonda talk to Shia Shabazz‼️‼️‼️ LOL Thank you so much for the review. I really appreciated your enthusiasm from the beginning…waaayyyy before you were an official selection. I knew you would be an asset to the program. What I didn’t know was that mother was coming and I really enjoyed you both. Congratulations on the completion of “The Heir” and best wishes with your festival journey. Most importantly, keep in touch.