Introduction to the film festival
Welcome to Cannes 7th Art Awards, an
international independent film festival with a unique hybrid format.
Each year in March, we host an online festival where audiences worldwide can
watch our competition program and vote for their favorite films. The two films
receiving the most votes are awarded the Audience Prize.
In May, during the Cannes Film Festival, all winners can receive their awards
at our booth at the Marché du Film in the renowned Palais des Festivals.
Additionally, we organize a special screening of selected short films across
all genres in collaboration with the Short Film Corner department of the Cannes
Film Festival.
This unique festival format delights our participants, audiences, institutional
organizations, and International media. We invite you to visit our Instagram,
where participants share their fantastic experiences.
Over six years, our festival has honored numerous Chinese filmmakers and
showcased their films at the Palais des Festivals. A recent example is the
animated film “No Doubt” directed by Lin Jin, which won the “Best Student
Animated Film” award and was screened during our session on May 21, 2025.
We accept student films.
Our goal is to support filmmakers and provide a platform for both emerging and
experienced talent to share their work with a global audience.
Cannes 7th Art Awards is open to filmmakers of all experience levels, and we are committed to promoting diversity and inclusivity in all aspects of our programming. Whether you are a seasoned professional or just starting out, we welcome you to submit your work and join us in celebrating the magic of cinema.
Sfilmmaker is our exclusive platform for cooperation in China, and we look forward to your films.
Awards
FEATURE FILM SCREENPLAY:
Best Feature Film Drama Screenplay
Best Feature Film Comedy Screenplay
Best Feature Film Crime Screenplay
Best Feature Film Thriller Screenplay
Best Feature Film Sci-Fi Screenplay
Best Feature Film Historical Screenplay
Best Feature Film Social Justice Screenplay
Best Feature Film Fantasy Screenplay
Best Feature Film Historical Screenplay
Best Feature Film Inspirational Screenplay
Best Feature Film Horror Screenplay
SHORT FILM SCREENPLAY:
Best Short Film Drama Screenplay
Best Short Film Comedy Screenplay
Best Short Film Crime Screenplay
Best Short Film Thriller Screenplay
Best Short Film Sci-Fi Screenplay
Best Short Film Historical Screenplay
Best Short Film Social Justice Screenplay
Best Short Film Fantasy Screenplay
Best Short Film Inspirational Screenplay
Best Feature Film Horror Screenplay
FEATURE FILM CATEGORY:
Grand Prize Feature Film
Best Feature Film
Best Director Feature Film
Best Producer Feature Film
Best Composer Feature Film
Best Cinematographer Feature Film
Best Editor Feature Film
Best Visual Effects Feature Film
Best Actor/Actress in a Leading Role Feature Film
Best Actor/Actress in a Supporting Role Feature Film
Best Casting Feature Film
Best Student Feature Film
SHORT FILM CATEGORY:
Grand Prize Short Film
Best Short Film
Best Director Short Film
Best Producer Short Film
Best Composer Short Film
Best Cinematographer Short Film
Best Editor Short Film
Best Visual Effects Short Film
Best Actor/Actress in a Leading Role Short Film
Best Actor/Actress in a Supporting Role Short Film
Best Casting Short Film
Best Student Short Film
DOCUMENTARY FILM CATEGORY:
Grand Prize Documentary Film
Best Documentary Film
Best Composer Documentary Film
Best Student Documentary Film
ANIMATED FILM CATEGORY:
Grand Prize Animated Film
Best Animated Film
Best Director Experimental Film
Best Producer Experimental Film
Best Composer Animated Film
Best Student Animated Film
EXPERIMENTAL FILM CATEGORY:
Grand Prize Experimental Film
Best Experimental Film
Best Director Experimental Film
Best Composer Experimental Film
Best Student Experimental Film
MUSIC VIDEO CATEGORY:
Grand Prize Music Video
Best Music Video
Best Director Music Video
Best Composer Experimental Film
Best Student Music Video
Rules
We do not provide a fee waiver.
We do not accept:
1. Amateur videos, promo videos;
2. Films with a poor production quality: bad sound, bad montage, lack of subtitles for non-English films, video resolution less than 1080p Full HD;
3. Extremist or propaganda content from religious or political organizations, as well as pornographic films
For all Categories:
1. Attending this competition implies acceptance of its rules and its decision, which is final, and the waiver of any claims;
2. Submissions are accepted through this platform;
3. Submission fee's are nonrefundable;
4. The organization of the Cannes 7th Art Awards - C7AA (formerly Cannes International Independent Film Festival-CIIFF) accepts no legal responsibility for the films in competition and its contents;
5. Submitting your film does not guarantee festival acceptance or screening. Acceptance into the competition does not guarantee award or prize;
6. All films must be presented in their original language with English subtitle;
7. When submitting, the festival will only accept a link to watch the film or read the screenplay.
If the project is selected, the submitter will receive a notification to submit the film file to the Festival.
The film selected for the competition must be sent via file hosting for or send a link to download your film in Full HD format, in MP4, MOV, 24 or 25 frames, Codec H.264, Stereo 48kHz;
8. We accept all films in any genre except for the films specified in paragraph 3 in the “we do not accept” section;
9.Premiere status is not required;
10. Submission of several films is permitted. Each submission requires an entry fee;
11. All films and screenplays must have been completed after 1 January 2024;
12. All filmmakers accept that if their film is selected for competition, they by default grant permission for the Cannes 7th Art Awards to screen the film, as well as part of the film (a few seconds) for the festival's promotional trailer;
13. To participate in the Cannes 7th Art Awards, submitted films must comply with current legislation regarding copyright and the right to privacy of individuals. Therefore, participants guarantee that the films submitted to the festival do not violate current legislation regarding exploitation rights, rights to honor, privacy or image or intellectual property rights and / or industrial and / or any other third party rights;
14. The submitter confirm that they have the right to publicly display the film, including images, music, texts, art and all that is in the copyright law;
15. The submitter authorize the festival to use, distribute and share the film/screenplay poster and synopsis, film trailer and stills in our social media and web site;
16. In case of force major circumstances, changes to the dates of the festival are provided;
17. Festival reserves the right to change our programming and event parties without notice;
18. The Cannes 7th Art Awards will hold its seventh edition from March 25 to 30, 2026 on Vimeo;
19. Submissions are accepted until March 15, 2026;
20. Winners can collect their trophies at the C7AA booth at the Cannes Film Market (Marché du Film - Festival de Cannes) from May 12 to 20 , 2026 ;
21. Accreditation of a C7AA booth participant is paid, according to the Film Market tarifs with a discount for exhibitors;
22. All C7AA events (cocktails, gala dinners) are free for festival participants. Guests of participants can join us, subject to availability;
23. Several winning short films may be screened at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès at the Film Market (Marché du Film) during the 79 Cannes Film Festival.
For making one DCP (we do DCP ourselves) of our session, the winning short film selected for the screening at Palais des Festivals de Cannes must be sent via file hosting for or send a link to download your film in 24p 2K 5.1(surround) Apple ProRes 422 HQ with embedded English subtitles .mov format.
24. The C7AA does not cover travel and accommodation to the Marché du Film (Cannes film market).
25. Strictly forbidden to use the laurels, logos, or any mention of Festival de Cannes, Marché du Film, or Short Film Corner in association with your film’s or screenplay's selection, screening, or awards received at Cannes 7th Art Awards.
❌ You CANNOT use:
? “Official Selection – Festival de Cannes”
? “Screened at the Festival de Cannes”
? “Part of the Short Film Corner – Festival de Cannes”
? “Presented at the Marché du Film – Festival de Cannes”
✅ You CAN use:
✔️ “Official Selection – Cannes 7th Art Awards”
✔️ “Award Winner – Cannes 7th Art Awards”
✔️ “Screened at the Cannes 7th Art Awards”
✔️ “Presented at the Cannes 7th Art Awards Screening at the Marché du Film”
Misuse of these prestigious laurels and social media posts may result in sanctions.
| Jury Name | Judge photos | Jury Profile |
|---|
Authorization type
Authorization Letter
Duration (several sessions)
Film Festival Features
Dates & Deadlines
2025-06-01
Submission start time
2025-06-30
Earlybird Deadline
2025-10-30
Regular Deadline
2025-12-31
Late Deadline
2026-02-18
Extended Deadline
2026-03-15
Last Deadline
2026-03-15
Submission end time
2026-03-16
Finalist notification start time
2026-03-16
Finalist notification end time
2026-03-25
Award ceremony start time
2026-03-30
Award ceremony end time
Categories and fees
2025/06/30
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 30 Dollar
Student： 15 Dollar
2025/10/30
Regular Deadline
Standard: 40 Dollar
Student： 20 Dollar
2025/12/31
Late Deadline
Standard: 50 Dollar
Student： 25 Dollar
2026/02/18
Extended Deadline
Standard: 60 Dollar
Student： 30 Dollar
2026/03/15
Last Deadline
Standard: 70 Dollar
Student： 35 Dollar
2025/06/30
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 20 Dollar
Student： 10 Dollar
2025/10/30
Regular Deadline
Standard: 30 Dollar
Student： 15 Dollar
2025/12/31
Late Deadline
Standard: 40 Dollar
Student： 20 Dollar
2026/02/18
Extended Deadline
Standard: 50 Dollar
Student： 25 Dollar
2026/03/15
Last Deadline
Standard: 60 Dollar
Student： 30 Dollar
2025/06/30
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 25 Dollar
Student： 15 Dollar
2025/10/30
Regular Deadline
Standard: 35 Dollar
Student： 20 Dollar
2025/12/31
Late Deadline
Standard: 45 Dollar
Student： 25 Dollar
2026/02/18
Extended Deadline
Standard: 55 Dollar
Student： 30 Dollar
2026/03/15
Last Deadline
Standard: 65 Dollar
Student： 35 Dollar
2025/06/30
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 45 Dollar
Student： 25 Dollar
2025/10/30
Regular Deadline
Standard: 55 Dollar
Student： 30 Dollar
2025/12/31
Late Deadline
Standard: 65 Dollar
Student： 35 Dollar
2026/02/18
Extended Deadline
Standard: 75 Dollar
Student： 40 Dollar
2026/03/15
Last Deadline
Standard: 85 Dollar
Student： 45 Dollar
2025/06/30
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 45 Dollar
Student： 25 Dollar
2025/10/30
Regular Deadline
Standard: 55 Dollar
Student： 30 Dollar
2025/12/31
Late Deadline
Standard: 65 Dollar
Student： 35 Dollar
2026/02/18
Extended Deadline
Standard: 75 Dollar
Student： 40 Dollar
2026/03/15
Last Deadline
Standard: 85 Dollar
Student： 45 Dollar
2025/06/30
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 45 Dollar
Student： 25 Dollar
2025/10/30
Regular Deadline
Standard: 55 Dollar
Student： 30 Dollar
2025/12/31
Late Deadline
Standard: 65 Dollar
Student： 35 Dollar
2026/02/18
Extended Deadline
Standard: 75 Dollar
Student： 40 Dollar
2026/03/15
Last Deadline
Standard: 85 Dollar
Student： 45 Dollar
2025/06/30
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 45 Dollar
Student： 25 Dollar
2025/10/30
Regular Deadline
Standard: 55 Dollar
Student： 30 Dollar
2025/12/31
Late Deadline
Standard: 65 Dollar
Student： 35 Dollar
2026/02/18
Extended Deadline
Standard: 75 Dollar
Student： 40 Dollar
2026/03/15
Last Deadline
Standard: 85 Dollar
Student： 45 Dollar
2025/06/30
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 40 Dollar
Student： 20 Dollar
2025/10/30
Regular Deadline
Standard: 50 Dollar
Student： 25 Dollar
2025/12/31
Late Deadline
Standard: 60 Dollar
Student： 20 Dollar
2026/02/18
Extended Deadline
Standard: 70 Dollar
Student： 35 Dollar
2026/03/15
Last Deadline
Standard: 80 Dollar
Student： 40 Dollar
2025/06/30
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 40 Dollar
Student： 20 Dollar
2025/10/30
Regular Deadline
Standard: 50 Dollar
Student： 25 Dollar
2025/12/31
Late Deadline
Standard: 60 Dollar
Student： 20 Dollar
2026/02/18
Extended Deadline
Standard: 70 Dollar
Student： 35 Dollar
2026/03/15
Last Deadline
Standard: 80 Dollar
Student： 40 Dollar
2025/06/30
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 40 Dollar
Student： 20 Dollar
2025/10/30
Regular Deadline
Standard: 50 Dollar
Student： 25 Dollar
2025/12/31
Late Deadline
Standard: 60 Dollar
Student： 20 Dollar
2026/02/18
Extended Deadline
Standard: 70 Dollar
Student： 35 Dollar
2026/03/15
Last Deadline
Standard: 80 Dollar
Student： 40 Dollar
2025/06/30
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 40 Dollar
Student： 20 Dollar
2025/10/30
Regular Deadline
Standard: 50 Dollar
Student： 25 Dollar
2025/12/31
Late Deadline
Standard: 60 Dollar
Student： 20 Dollar
2026/02/18
Extended Deadline
Standard: 70 Dollar
Student： 35 Dollar
2026/03/15
Last Deadline
Standard: 80 Dollar
Student： 40 Dollar
2025/06/30
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 35 Dollar
Student： 15 Dollar
2025/10/30
Regular Deadline
Standard: 45 Dollar
Student： 30 Dollar
2025/12/31
Late Deadline
Standard: 55 Dollar
Student： 40 Dollar
2026/02/18
Extended Deadline
Standard: 60 Dollar
Student： 50 Dollar
2026/03/15
Last Deadline
Standard: 70 Dollar
Student： 60 Dollar
2025/06/30
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 35 Dollar
Student： 15 Dollar
2025/10/30
Regular Deadline
Standard: 45 Dollar
Student： 30 Dollar
2025/12/31
Late Deadline
Standard: 55 Dollar
Student： 40 Dollar
2026/02/18
Extended Deadline
Standard: 60 Dollar
Student： 50 Dollar
2026/03/15
Last Deadline
Standard: 70 Dollar
Student： 60 Dollar
2025/06/30
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 35 Dollar
Student： 15 Dollar
2025/10/30
Regular Deadline
Standard: 45 Dollar
Student： 30 Dollar
2025/12/31
Late Deadline
Standard: 55 Dollar
Student： 40 Dollar
2026/02/18
Extended Deadline
Standard: 60 Dollar
Student： 50 Dollar
2026/03/15
Last Deadline
Standard: 70 Dollar
Student： 60 Dollar
2025/06/30
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 35 Dollar
Student： 15 Dollar
2025/10/30
Regular Deadline
Standard: 45 Dollar
Student： 30 Dollar
2025/12/31
Late Deadline
Standard: 55 Dollar
Student： 40 Dollar
2026/02/18
Extended Deadline
Standard: 60 Dollar
Student： 50 Dollar
2026/03/15
Last Deadline
Standard: 70 Dollar
Student： 60 Dollar
2025/06/30
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 35 Dollar
Student： 15 Dollar
2025/10/30
Regular Deadline
Standard: 45 Dollar
Student： 30 Dollar
2025/12/31
Late Deadline
Standard: 55 Dollar
Student： 40 Dollar
2026/02/18
Extended Deadline
Standard: 60 Dollar
Student： 50 Dollar
2026/03/15
Last Deadline
Standard: 70 Dollar
Student： 60 Dollar
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