Continuing a tradition of over thirty years, the Tous Courts d'Aix-en-Provence Short Film Festival has demonstrated that short films seek to, and succeed, in redefining themselves.
In December 1982, students at the Research and Animated Film section of the Arts faculty of the University of Aix-en-Provence, along with members of the MJC Jacques Prévert Super 8 workshop, organized a public screening of short films made in their various workshops. The tremendous interest that this event attracted led to the creation of an association (Rencontres Cinématographiques d’Aix en Provence [the Aix en Provence Film Meetings]), which soon spawned the idea of holding an annual event that became the Tous Courts d'Aix-en-Provence Short Film Festival. The result has been thirty years of learning, research, discoveries, and increased recognition on a local, national, and international scale.
The 2013 edition of the event showcased over 150 short films from five continents, including 54 titles in competition.
Award-winning French films in the 2013 lineup:
uniFrance films Award: パリまでの道 by Carine May & Hakim Zouhani
France 3 Libre Court Prize: Dogs by Caroline Poggi
Cinémas du Sud Prize: Match Up by Germain Huby & Lucie Heitmann
Special Mentions from the Jury: 逃亡 by Jean-Bernard Marlin and Abderrahman by Elias Sfaxi
Special Mention from the Youth Jury: Spring Tides by Mathias Pardo
Film Market
With 2,150 films from 74 countries presented to international film buyers and distributors this year, the international short film market has stamped itself as a vital component of the festival, thanks to support from uniFrance films and the PROCIREP. It contributes to the commercial success of short films as well as boosting their distribution by offering producers and directors the chance to extend the visibility of their films beyond their screening at festivals. It also fosters dialogue between distributors and buyers, who are able to take advantage of optimum working conditions in an exceptional location.
