Festival Tous Courts

What Festival Tous Courts does

Festival Tous Courts is a non-profit international short film festival founded in 1983 and operated by the Association Rencontres Cinématographiques d'Aix-en-Provence from its headquarters at 1 Place John Rewald in Aix-en-Provence, France. The organization runs an annual December festival built around two parallel competitions — the 44th International Competition (fiction, animation, and creative documentary shorts up to 30 minutes) and the 12th International Experimental Competition — supplemented by carte blanche programs, masterclasses, and a professional Marché du Film Court industry market. Beyond the flagship event, the festival operates year-round through Les Instants d'été (11 free outdoor screenings in Aix-en-Provence parks from July to August), La Fête du Court Métrage (a March short film celebration week drawing around 500 spectators), Actions Pédagogiques for elementary, middle, and high school audiences, and the Atelier Jeunes Autrices et Auteurs writing residency run jointly with Région SUD.

The festival's underlying technology stack is conventional rather than proprietary: international submissions are managed via the ShortFilmDepot platform, ticketing runs through Hello Asso and Les Cinémas Aixois, and audience outreach is conducted through the festival's website, email newsletter, Facebook, and Instagram accounts. No AI, ML, or other differentiated technology components are described. The core operational infrastructure consists of physical venues (Les Cinémas Aixois as the primary screening partner, Parc du Pavillon de Vendôme for outdoor screenings, Institut de l'Image for special events) and an institutional partnership network spanning regional government (Région SUD Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur), the Ville d'Aix-en-Provence, and multiple cultural institutions (Ardèche Images, Centre Audiovisuel Simone de Beauvoir, La Distributrice de Films) and sister festivals (Nice Film Festival via Résidence du Sud).

The revenue model combines individual ticket and pass sales (€3 youth screenings, €5 reduced, €7 standard, €15 Pass Festival, with selected events free) with institutional and corporate partnership support from public-sector and cultural bodies. The festival serves four primary customer segments: general cinema audiences (film enthusiasts and local visitors), emerging filmmakers and screenwriters (residents and residency participants), young audiences and schools (pedagogical programming), and a professional and business community engaging through the Off des Rencontres Économiques. It is led by Présidente Caroline San Martin and staffed by approximately 10 employees, with no disclosed venture, private equity, or institutional ownership.

Name

Festival Tous Courts

Legal name

Association Rencontres Cinématographiques d'Aix-en-Provence

Website

https://festivaltouscourts.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Festival Tous Courts is an international short film festival founded in 1983 in Aix-en-Provence, France, serving general audiences, emerging filmmakers, and youth through competitive programming, a professional market, writing residencies, and year-round educational outreach.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Film Festival / Cultural Event Programming

NAICS

Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (711310), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYMPADAKAD

Film Festivals & Festival Organizers

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Film & Video Production/Distribution/Exhibition (Cinemas, Film Festivals, Screenings)

SECONDARYMPAGAEAG

Arts & Culture Community Festivals (Multidisciplinary Arts Weeks)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Live Entertainment & Events (Concerts, Theater, Festivals)/Cultural Festivals & Community Events

SECONDARYMPAGALAH

Festival Grounds & Fairgrounds Operations

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Live Entertainment & Events (Concerts, Theater, Festivals)/Event Venues & Venue Operations (Arenas, Theaters, Halls)

Keywords

• Short film festival
• Film competitions
• Cultural event programming
• Screenwriting residency
• Educational cinema outreach

Headquarters

HQ city

Aix-en-Provence

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket and pass sales: Festival generates revenue through ticket sales for screenings (€7 normal / €5 reduced for 2024 competitions), pass festival bundles (€15 for full festival access), and reduced-price youth screenings (€3). Entry is free for certain events including opening/closing ceremonies, masterclasses, and some special screenings.
2. Institutional and corporate partnerships: The festival operates with support from regional government (Région SUD Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur), local municipal partners (Ville d'Aix-en-Provence), and cultural institutions including Institut de l'Image. These partnerships provide funding, venue access, and promotional support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Festival Tous Courts is an international short film festival that organizes two annual competitions (International Competition and Experimental Competition), professional industry events (Marché du Film Court, Atelier Jeunes Autrices et Auteurs writing residency), and year-round programming including outdoor summer screenings (Les Instants d'été), pedagogical actions for schools, and special cross-sector events. The festival operates as a non-profit association under French law, providing exhibition platforms for short filmmakers, professional development opportunities, and curated cultural programming for general audiences.

Product overview

Festival Tous Courts is an annual international short film festival held in Aix-en-Provence, France. The organization operates a dual-competition structure consisting of the 44th International Short Film Competition (open to fiction, animation, and creative documentaries up to 30 minutes) and the 12th International Experimental Short Film Competition. Beyond the December festival, the organization runs "Les Instants d'été" outdoor summer screenings, the professional "Marché du Film Court" industry market, the "Atelier Jeunes Autrices et Auteurs" writing residency for emerging screenwriters, and comprehensive "Actions Pédagogiques" educational programs for schools. The festival also organizes special events like the "Off des Rencontres Économiques" and manages open calls for films and screenplays.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• International Competition (Compétition Internationale de Courts Métrages) Annual international short film competition open to fiction, animation, and creative documentary films up to 30 minutes, accepting submissions from all countries. Filmmakers submit entries via ShortFilmDepot and selected films are judged by an international jury with a Grand Prix awarded. Open to all international submissions.
• Experimental Competition (Compétition Internationale de Courts Métrages Expérimentaux) Annual international experimental short film competition exclusively open to experimental films lasting no longer than 30 minutes, completed after January 1st 2025. The 12th edition is scheduled for 2026. Filmmakers and experimental film artists submit experimental works.
• Les Instants d'été Free outdoor summer screening series held in parks and gardens across Aix-en-Provence, featuring contemporary short film selections. Open to the general public and visitors to Aix-en-Provence for accessible cultural programming.
• Marché du Film Court Professional short film market bringing together industry professionals for networking, screenings, and business opportunities in the short film sector. Targeted at film industry professionals, distributors, and producers.
• Atelier Jeunes Autrices et Auteurs Writing residency program for emerging screenwriters organized in partnership with the SUD Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Region, selecting 12 scenarios annually for mentorship during the festival. Targeted at screenwriters preparing their first or second short film.
• Actions Pédagogiques Year-round educational outreach programs targeting elementary schools (Élémentaires), middle schools (Collèges), and high schools (Lycées), introducing young audiences to short film art and cinema through age-adapted screenings. Targeted at school groups and educational institutions.
• La Fête du Court Métrage Annual celebration of short film held in Aix-en-Provence, attracting approximately 500 spectators to discover various programs during a dedicated week. Open to the general public interested in short film programming.
• Off des Rencontres Économiques Special short film screening series in partnership with the Economic Encounters of Aix-en-Provence and Institut de l'Image, offering artistic perspectives on social, economic, and political transformation themes. Targeted at business professionals and economic forum participants.
• Ciné Jeune Public Dedicated youth-oriented short film screenings with age-appropriate programming for children and families, priced at €3 flat rate per attendee. Targeted at families and young audiences attending the festival.
• Masterclasses and Roundtables (Et si on parlait...) Professional masterclasses and roundtable discussions with film industry professionals, offered free of charge during the festival. Open to filmmakers, students, and the general public interested in film industry insights.
• La Résidence du Sud Regional screenwriter residency program in collaboration with Nice Film Festival, supporting emerging talent across the Sud region film ecosystem. Targeted at screenwriters in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region.

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Région SUD Provence-Alpes-Côte d'AzurcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional government partner supporting the Atelier Jeunes Autrices et Auteurs writing residency program. Provides funding and institutional backing for emerging screenwriter development initiatives in the Sud region.
• Institut de l'ImagecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural institution partner providing venue access, programming collaboration, and coordination for festival events including Les Instants d'été outdoor screenings and special projections.
• Les Cinémas AixoiscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary cinema venue partner hosting festival screenings, competition presentations, and ticket sales operations for the annual winter festival edition.
• Ville d'Aix-en-ProvencecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner coordinating outdoor summer screening programming (Les Instants d'été) and providing logistical support for festival events throughout the city.
• Off des Rencontres Économiques d'Aix-en-ProvenceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEconomic forum partnership for special cross-sector programming. Festival provides artistic programming complementing economic discussions with short film screenings addressing social transformation themes.
• Nice Film Festival (La Résidence du Sud)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional collaboration on the Résidence du Sud screenwriter residency program, supporting emerging talent across the Sud region film ecosystem.
• Ardèche ImagesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCarte blanche partner providing curated program presentation as part of hors-compétition programming during festival edition.
• La Distributrice de FilmsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFilm distribution partner presenting carte blanche selection as part of hors-compétition programming.
• Centre Audiovisuel Simone de BeauvoirminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAudiovisual center partner providing carte blanche programming selection showcasing women's cinema works.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Aspen Shortsfest: Leading North American short film festival featuring international competition, filmmaker programs, and curated non-competitive sections. Comparable in curatorial depth, jury prestige, and filmmaker development emphasis.
• Tampere Film Festival: Major international short film festival in Finland with competitive programming, industry market, and educational outreach. Similar profile to Festival Tous Courts in combining competition, professional events, and youth programming.
• Nice Film Festival (Festival du Court Métrage de Nice): Short film festival in nearby Nice with which Festival Tous Courts already co-produces the Résidence du Sud residency. Comparable in scale, regional positioning, and competition programming targeting emerging filmmakers.
• Vila do Conde Short Film Festival: Portuguese international short film festival featuring competitive and experimental sections with strong European positioning. Comparable in niche specialization and international jury-driven competition format.
• Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival: The world's largest short film festival, held annually in Clermont-Ferrand, France. Most direct competitor for premieres, filmmaker submissions, industry attention, and institutional funding in the French short film category.
• Oberhausen Short Film Festival: The oldest short film festival in the world (founded 1954), based in Germany. Comparable in international competition programming, experimental section, and industry market for short films.

Broad incumbents

• SXSW Film & TV Festival: Large multi-format US festival with significant short film programming alongside features, episodic, and XR. Comparable as a competitive short film platform, but embedded in a much broader entertainment industry event.
• Quinzaine des Cinéastes / Directors' Fortnight: Parallel independent section of the Cannes festival with short film selections alongside features. Overlaps with Festival Tous Courts on short film curation but operates at substantially larger scale and visibility.
• Cannes Film Festival: The flagship French film festival featuring shorts alongside features and operating at vastly larger scale. Overlaps in territory and French cultural ecosystem but addresses a much broader programming mandate.

Others

• Institut Français: French public institution promoting French culture abroad, including film and audiovisual programming. Not a direct competitor but a potential co-funding, co-distribution, and international-network partner for French short film festivals.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/FestivalTousCourts
• Instagraminstagram.com/festouscourts
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/festival-tous-courts

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Festival Tous Courts