A prestigious opportunity to showcase emerging talent and promote the art of short-form content in Quebec; a Canadian Screen Award qualifying festival for short films, series, and music videos
Festival Name: Courts d’un soir Festival (Montreal International Short and Series Festival)
Location: Montreal, Canada
Festival Dates: March 2027 (Specific dates to be announced at the press conference in March)
Edition: 12th Edition
Organizing Body: Courts d’un soir Festival
About the Festival: Created in 2017, the festival aims to democratize short-form content and series while identifying emerging talent in Montreal. It is now recognized as a Canadian Screen Award qualifying festival. Its core mission is to provide a platform for young artists to professionalize, educate on short-form and serialized storytelling, and foster dialogue among stakeholders in the short film, series, and music video industries. The festival maintains a strong international focus, showcasing creative works from around the globe.
Awards: In 2026, the festival awarded 11 prizes totaling $22,200. The specific list of prizes and their values for the 12th edition will be announced during the festival’s press conference in March 2027. Main categories include:
- Short Films: Best Canadian Short (Montreal premiere required), Best International Short, Best Quebec Short, Aspiring Filmmakers Award (Under 21).
- Series: Best Canadian Short Series, Best International Short Series, Best National Series (Over 120 min), Best International Series (Over 120 min), Best Emerging Short Series.
- Music Videos: Best Music Video (Jury Award), Public Choice Award.
- Other: Best Artist Award.
Eligible Genres:
- Short Films: Experimental, Narrative, Animation, Documentary, and Student films.
- Series: Short series, long-form series (Web & TV), Digital series (YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, mobile-first content, etc.).
- Music Videos: Canadian and international music videos.
Running Time:
- Short Films (Official Competition): Max 30 minutes.
- Short Films (Under 21): Max 15 minutes.
- Short Series: Max 120 minutes.
- Long-form Series: Over 120 minutes.
- Music Videos: Max 15 minutes.
Production Year: Produced after January 1, 2026.
Language & Subtitles: Non-French works must include French or English subtitles.
Submission Deadline:To be announced during the festival’s press conference in March 2027.
Additional Information:
- Aspiring Filmmakers (Under 21): Applicants must be under 21 years old as of April 2027. You must send valid ID to the festival to verify age and receive a submission code.
- Digital Series: Submission of at least 3 episodes is required for consideration.
- Emerging Short Series: To be eligible, the series must have been produced within a film school context OR be self-produced (without institutional funding).
- Policy: Previously submitted works or duplicates are not accepted.
- Professional Activities: The festival features a Series Market, film education classes (masterclasses), and various public engagement events.
