George Sand Short Film Festival
2026
Edition 2026 — George Sand Festival
For its inaugural edition, the George Sand Short Film Festival brings together twenty amateur and professional short films at the Le Lux cinema in La Châtre on October 10th and 11th, 2026, marking the 150th anniversary of George Sand's death. The films, inspired by the writer's life and convictions, will compete for seven awards presented during the closing ceremony. The jury is chaired by screenwriter and director Thomas Bidegain (A Prophet, Dheepan). The official selection will be announced on September 20th, 2026.
George Sand Short Film Festival — 1st Edition (2026)
The first edition of the George Sand Short Film Festival takes place on October 10th and 11th, 2026, at the Le Lux cinema in La Châtre, commemorating the 150th anniversary of the death of George Sand (1804-1876). The call for entries, open from June 8th to September 6th, 2026, invites amateur and professional filmmakers to create short films under fifteen minutes inspired by the writer's life or ideas, such as women's emancipation, political activism, ecology, and her connection to the Berry region.
Twenty films will be selected—to be announced on September 20th, 2026—and screened in competition for seven awards: Jury Prize, Amateur Film Prize, Audience Award, Best Screenplay, Best Direction, Best Sound Design, and Best Performance. The jury is chaired by screenwriter and director Thomas Bidegain.
Prior to the festival, an audiovisual production residency was held from May 8th to 10th, 2026, in La Châtre, where fourteen amateur filmmakers aged 15 to 64 from La Châtre, Châteauroux, Bourges, Guéret, and Paris wrote, filmed, and edited two short films alongside professionals.
Programme
1st Edition Schedule
- February 15, 2026 — Applications open for the audiovisual production residency
- April 26, 2026 — Residency application deadline
- May 8-10, 2026 — Audiovisual production residency in La Châtre (completed)
- June 8, 2026 — Call for entries opens
- September 6, 2026 — Call for entries closes
- September 20, 2026 — Announcement of selected films
- October 10-11, 2026 — Screenings and awards ceremony at Le Lux cinema
The official selection of twenty films and the detailed screening schedule have not yet been released by the organizers; they will be added as soon as they are announced on September 20th, 2026.
Highlights
- Inaugural festival edition marking the 150th anniversary of George Sand's death
- Twenty short films competing for seven awards, including the Jury Prize and Audience Award
- Jury chaired by screenwriter and director Thomas Bidegain (A Prophet, Dheepan)
- Creative residency completed in May 2026 featuring fourteen amateur filmmakers aged 15 to 64
- Screenings and ceremony at the Le Lux cinema in La Châtre on October 10th and 11th, 2026
Prices
From 12.00€