Lille International Short Film Festival
The short film event in all its forms
About Lille Short Film
Organized by the association Rencontres Audiovisuelles, the Lille International Short Film Festival is an unmissable autumn event for cinema lovers. For ten days in September, the festival offers a rich and eclectic program: international and national competitions, open-air screenings at Gare Saint-Sauveur, animation nights, short film marathon, and sessions for young audiences. Fiction, animation, documentary, and experimental cinema meet in a friendly and cinephile atmosphere.
Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach Lille Short Film at the best price.
Sponsored link
Lille International Short Film Festival: The Art of the Short Format
Since its creation, the Lille International Short Film Festival has celebrated the art of the short format in all its diversity. Organized by the association Rencontres Audiovisuelles, this benchmark event in the Hauts-de-France film landscape offers a ten-day immersion into the world of short films every September.
International Competitions
The heart of the festival consists of its official competitions, which distinguish the best short films of the year in two categories:
- International Competition: short films from around the world, all genres combined (fiction, animation, documentary, experimental), with a maximum duration of 30 minutes.
- National Competition: selection of French short films, a showcase of French creation.
A professional jury awards the prizes at the closing ceremony.
A Program for All Audiences
Beyond the competitions, the festival offers a varied and accessible program:
- Open-Air Screenings: at Gare Saint-Sauveur, free sessions under the stars to discover short films in a relaxed atmosphere.
- Animation Night: animation film marathon at Théâtre Sébastopol, a highlight evening of the festival.
- Short Film Marathon: creative challenge where teams make a short film in a limited time.
- Children's Village: workshops and screenings adapted for young audiences, organized at the Arenberg mining site.
- Masterclasses: meetings with guest filmmakers.
- Regional Focus: program dedicated to audiovisual creation from the Hauts-de-France region.
Iconic Venues
The festival takes over several iconic venues in Lille:
- Gare Saint-Sauveur: open-air screenings and meetings.
- Cinéma L'Univers: competitions and screenings.
- Auditorium of the Palais des Beaux-Arts: competition sessions.
- Théâtre Sébastopol: Animation Night and closing ceremony.
- Arenberg Mining Site: Children's Village.
Lille Short Film — edition 2026
The 26th edition of the Lille International Short Film Festival will take place from September 17 to 27, 2026. Competitions, open-air screenings, Animation Night, and Children's Village are on the program. Call for films open until March 31, 2026.
26th Edition - September 17 to 27, 2026
The Lille International Short Film Festival returns for its 26th edition from September 17 to 27, 2026. The official competition is open to short films of all forms (fiction, animation, documentary, experimental) with a maximum duration of 30 minutes, made in 2025-2026.
Highlights Lille Short Film 2026
To Remember for 2026
- Dates: September 17 to 27, 2026
- 26th edition
- Call for films open until March 31, 2026
- International and national competitions
- Open-air screenings, Animation Night, Children's Village
Prices Lille Short Film 2026
Practical information — Lille Short Film
Practical Information
Access and Transport
By Metro: Gare Saint-Sauveur and Cinéma L'Univers are accessible via line 2 (station Lille Grand Palais or Mairie de Lille). Théâtre Sébastopol is near the République station (line 1).
By Train: Lille Flandres or Lille Europe station, then metro or walk.
Venues
Screenings and events take place in several venues in the center of Lille and the metropolis. Consult the detailed program for addresses.
Prices
Open-air screenings are free. Indoor screenings and the Animation Night are ticketed at affordable prices. Festival passes are available. Consult the website for detailed prices.
Practical Tips
- Open-air screenings are subject to weather conditions.
- Animation Night is a very popular event, book your tickets in advance.
- The Short Film Marathon is open to everyone upon registration.
- The Children's Village at Arenberg offers workshops suitable for ages 3 and up.
Accessibility
Gare Saint-Sauveur, Cinéma L'Univers, and Théâtre Sébastopol are accessible to people with reduced mobility. The Auditorium of the Palais des Beaux-Arts also has PRM access. For open-air screenings, reserved spaces are provided.
Accommodation
The festival venues are located in the center of Lille, near numerous hotels, youth hostels, and short-term rentals. Lille Flandres station is a 15-minute walk from Gare Saint-Sauveur, facilitating stays from Paris or Brussels.
Professional Accreditations
Film and audiovisual professionals can request accreditation to access all screenings and professional events. Contact Rencontres Audiovisuelles for details.
Festival-goer photos
No photo yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No review yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community
Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach Lille Short Film at the best price.
Sponsored link
Where does it take place — Lille Short Film
Gare Saint-Sauveur et lieux divers
Boulevard Jean-Baptiste Lebas, 59000 Lille