The Nancy International Film Festival (Festival International du Film de Nancy, FIFNL) is an annual short film festival held in Nancy, France. Founded in 1995, it showcases fiction, documentary, and animation, with a special emphasis on cross-border productions through its Grande Région programming. Organized by the Aye Aye VO association, the festival has grown into a cultural highlight for the Grand Est region. As one of the many festivals in France, it attracts filmmakers and cinephiles from across the country.
Festival History and Organizers
Founded in 1995, the festival is run by the Aye Aye VO association, which works year-round to select original author cinema and promote film education. Over its many editions, it has become a regional cultural landmark, with the 32nd edition taking place in 2025.
The festival serves as a crossroads for audiovisual genres, presenting recent works alongside heritage masterpieces and films in progress. The team behind Aye Aye VO aims to reflect contemporary cinema trends while paying homage to cinema history, as detailed by CinEuro.
Festival Program
The core is an international short film competition open to fiction, documentary, and animation, with a maximum runtime of 30 minutes. The Grande Région selection specifically features films produced in Saarland, Rhineland-Palatinate, Lorraine, Luxembourg, Wallonia, and the German-speaking Community of Belgium, celebrating cross-border creativity. This cross-border focus distinguishes the festival from other events in the region.
For young audiences, the festival curates a dedicated selection with categories for children over 4, over 8, and over 12, as well as family and school sessions. Feature-length fiction and documentary films from the Grand Est region also appear in the program, ensuring a diverse offering for cinephiles.
Key Awards and Prizes
Competing films vie for the Grand Prize, the Jury's Special Prize, and three Special Awards. Additional honors include the High School Students' Prize and the Audience Prize for the Zizz Selection. All prizes come with the festival's trophy, and extra awards are sometimes presented. Award details are published by the organizers on their official channels.
Venue and Contact Information
The festival is based at 44 bis, rue Hermite, 54000 Nancy, France. For inquiries, contact the organizers by phone at +33 3 83 30 50 61 or email contact@fifnl.com. The official website fifnl.com provides further details and updates.
Submissions and Rules
Filmmakers can submit their work through the online platform ShortFilmDepot. Films must be under 30 minutes and completed after a specified date, as detailed in the current call for entries. Each submission requires a still photograph, a director's photo, a dialogue list in the original language with French or English translation, and a digital file in DCP or HD MP4 format. These requirements are outlined on the festival's official submission page.
The festival accepts films of any genre from professional, student, and amateur creators. There are separate categories for the international competition and the Grande Région selection. For the most current submission deadlines and fees, filmmakers should check the official festival website or contact the organizers, as these details change annually. The Festagent page notes fees for the listed categories, but verifying directly is essential.
Attending the Festival
Before planning a visit, confirm the exact dates of the next edition, which the organizers announce on the official website and social media channels. Past editions have typically run for about ten days in late June and early July, but you should verify the current schedule directly rather than rely on past patterns.
Ticket information and pricing for public screenings are not published in advance. The best approach is to visit the official website closer to the event, where purchasing details and any passes are usually announced. To enrich your trip, consider pairing screenings with the Art Nouveau Festival Nancy dates events, as Nancy is known for its Art Nouveau heritage.
Image Education Initiatives
Beyond the annual festival, the Aye Aye VO association carries out image education initiatives throughout the year. These programs reach audiences of all ages and are regularly integrated into school curriculums, fostering a deeper understanding of cinema and visual media. The CinEuro profile highlights this commitment.
These year-round activities underscore the festival's commitment to media literacy, not just exhibition. By engaging schools and community groups, the team helps cultivate future audiences and filmmakers, solidifying its role as an educational force in the region.
Getting There and Exploring Nancy
Nancy sits in northeastern France and is well-connected by train from Paris and other major European cities. The festival's base is in the city center, making it accessible on foot or by public transport, though parking can be limited during crowded periods.
For accommodation and dining, visitors should book early, as the festival draws attendees from across the region. The official tourism office of Nancy is a reliable source for local amenities and practical travel advice.
Plan Your Visit
The Nancy International Film Festival offers a rich program of short films with a regional focus. Whether you are a filmmaker seeking to submit your work or a cinephile discovering new talent, the festival delivers a rewarding cultural experience in Nancy.
Since exact dates, ticket availability, and program details are announced by the organizers for each edition, always check the official website and social media channels for current information. Verifying through official sources helps you plan a smooth visit and fully enjoy the festival.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Nancy International Film Festival?
The Nancy International Film Festival (FIFNL) is a short film festival held annually in Nancy, France. Founded in 1995, it features international and regional competitions, showcases genres including fiction, documentary, and animation, and is organized by the Aye Aye VO association.
Where is the festival held?
The festival is based in Nancy at 44 bis, rue Hermite, 54000 Nancy. Specific screening venues may vary each year, so it's recommended to check the festival's official communications for venue details during the event.
How can I submit a film to the festival?
Filmmakers can submit via the online platform ShortFilmDepot. Films must be under 30 minutes and meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the current call for entries, which is available on the festival's official website. Submission deadlines and fees are announced annually.
Are there tickets for public screenings?
Yes, public screenings are held during the festival, but ticket information is not published in advance. For purchasing options and pricing, check the official festival website closer to the event dates, as details are announced then.
