Très Court International Film Festival

The Très Court: the art of cinema in four minutes flat

Born in 1999 at the Forum des images in Paris, the Très Court International Film Festival is the brainchild of Marc Bati and Pascal Toutain, two film enthusiasts convinced that brevity can be a powerful vehicle for creativity. The challenge was bold: to create a festival entirely dedicated to films of less than four minutes, a format that forces filmmakers to extreme narrative and aesthetic concentration.

A unique format that stimulates creativity

The four-minute constraint — including credits — is at the heart of Très Court's identity. This radical limitation pushes directors to the essential, producing works of remarkable density and inventiveness. All genres are represented: fiction, animation, documentary, experimental film, music video, video art. The result is a cinematic fireworks display where each film is a surprise, where humor rubs shoulders with emotion, where formal boldness meets narrative depth.

A demanding international selection

Each year, the festival receives thousands of films from around the world. The selection committee chooses around a hundred works that make up the official competition programs. The films are grouped into thematic screenings that offer the audience a whirlwind cinematic journey around the world.

A simultaneous festival worldwide

One of the most remarkable features of Très Court is its simultaneous and international dimension. During the festival, the same programs are screened at the same time in over 100 screening locations in about thirty countries across five continents. This global synchronization makes Très Court a truly planetary event, where audiences in Paris, Tokyo, Buenos Aires, and Dakar share the same cinematic experience at the same moment.

Paris, the festival's cradle and heart

While Très Court shines worldwide, Paris remains its epicenter. Parisian screenings take place in emblematic venues, offering the public the opportunity to discover the official selection in the best conditions. The festival is coordinated from Paris and Tours by the association Tout en Très Court, which also ensures the circulation of films within the international network of partner venues.

A springboard for filmmakers

Très Court is recognized as a springboard for young filmmakers. The ultra-short format, accessible in terms of production, allows emerging directors to gain recognition and develop their creative universe. Many filmmakers who are now recognized took their first steps at Très Court, and the festival's awards have become valued distinctions in the professional short film industry.