Semaine de la Critique du Festival de Cannes

FAQ

What is la Semaine de la Critique?

La Semaine de la Critique is a parallel section of the Cannes Film Festival created by the French Union of Film Critics in 1962. True to its tradition of discovering new talents, la Semaine presents feature films by first or second-time filmmakers and dedicates a very special spot to short films.

Who awards the Grand Prix de la Semaine de la Critique?

In between 1990 (when it was first created) and 2010, there was no jury at La Semaine de la Critique. French and foreign journalists were invited to vote after each screening of the competition, that was how the Grand Prix was attributed. For its 50th anniversary, La Semaine de la Critique has formed an international jury comprised of four journalists and film critics and its president was South Korean filmmaker Lee Chang-dong. In 2012, the jury will again be comprised of film critics and the president will be someone involved in new creations.

How can I get a credential?

We, at la Semaine, do not have our own credentials; we use the Cannes Film Festival’s badges. We do not deliver Press, Marché du Film or Festival accreditations; only the members of our films’ crews can get Festival credentials through us.

How can I attend a screening?

Depending on the badge you have, there is a priority order to attend our screenings.

Espace Miramar
Express access:
Prioritary Marché du Film badges

Priority access:
Press badges
Marché du Film badges
Festival accreditations

Non priority access:
Cannes Cinéphiles badges
Free tickets delivered at the Espace Mirama (space permitting)

An additional daily screening for the films in competition
From Friday to the next Thursday, films in Competition at La Semaine will also be screened at 8:30am at the Miramar the day after their presentation (original version with English and French subtitles)
These screenings can be attended by everybody.

Théâtre de la Licorne, Studio 13, Le Raimu and Théâtre Alexandre III
Press badges
Marché du Film badges
Festival accreditations
Cannes Cinéphiles badges
Tickets delivered at the Cannes Cinéphiles box office

How big are the venues of la Semaine?

Espace Miramar = 380 seats
Salle Buñuel = 300 seats
Théâtre de la Licorne = 480 seats
Studio 13 = 220 seats
Le Raimu = 170 seats
Alexandre III = 196 seats

Where is the Espace Miramar?

The Espace Miramar is located by the Croisette, at the 35 rue Pasteur, between the Carlton and the Martinez ( see map )

What are the reruns of the selection of la Semaine de la Critique?

Each year, our film selection is screened in several countries so that a significant number of professionals and larger audiences can see the films. La Semaine is invited by National Film Commissions and International Film Festivals. Both short and feature films are usually screened.

list of the reruns

QUESTIONS ABOUT FILMS

Can I submit my film?

• You can submit it if it is your first or second feature-length film and if it hasn’t been screened in public in a film festival or in a theater outside of his country of origin.
• You can submit it if it is a short film that hasn’t been screened in public in a film festival or in a theater outside of his country of origin.

I registered my film at the Cannes Film Festival, is that enough to be registered at the Semaine de la Critique?

In order for our selection committee to watch your film, you have to register online at www.semainedelacritique.com and pay the entry fee before your even send your film. A screener (either 35mm or DVD) needs to be available for our committee.

Can my film be running for the Caméra d’Or if it is selected at the Semaine de la Critique?

Being a parallel section of the Cannes Film Festival means that even if we are independent when it comes to our organization and how we make our selection, the films are screened in Cannes during the festival. All the first-time directed feature films selected at the Semaine de la Critique run for the Golden Caméra. In between 2003 and 2008, four Caméra d’Or and one special distinction have been attributed to films presented at the Semaine de la Critique!

An independent company with a very low budget has produced my film, can you waive my entry fee?

• We only present first or second feature films so we work with a lot of independent companies. Everyone has to pay the entry fee for feature film and documentaries. We need this money to cover all the expenses the pre-selection brings.
• There is no entry fee for short films and documentaries under 60mn.

Who is in charge of selecting my film?

• The short films are selected by a committee composed by three film critics.
• The feature films are selected by a committee composed by seven film critics, including Charles Tesson, the Artistic Director.
• All of these ten film critics are elected every year by the board of the French Union of Film Critics and are all members of the Union.

Composition of the comittee

I would like the selection committee to see my film in 35mm. How do I do it?

Once your film is registered and your entry fee paid, you need to get in touch with the Film Department to book a screening date. Please note that no crew member can attend the screening and talk to the selection committee. Feature-length film (fictions and documentaries) can be screened both in 35mm and DVD. Short films can only be seen in DVD.

Can my film be screened in digital for the pre-selection? If it is selected, can I screen it in digital in Cannes?

• The screening rooms we use in Paris are not equipped for digital screenings. If you wish to present your film in digital, you need to book your own screening room. Please get in touch with the Film Department to make sure you coordinate everything with them and the selection committee.
• If your film is selected for the competition, you will have to have a 35mm print. If your film is selected for a special screening (opening night, closing night etc.) you could have the possibility, under special conditions, to screen it in digital.

If (and only if) my film is selected for Cannes, what do I have to do concerning subtitles?

• Films in French need to be English subtitled.
• Films in English need to be French subtitled.
• Films in any other language need to be French and English subtitled (the electronic English subtitling might be provided).

When will I find out if my film is selected?

The results will be announced by email during the second week of April. No results will be announced over the phone.

Can I find out why my film hasn’t been selected?

Because we receive so many films, both selection committees reserve the right not to justify and explain the non-selection of a film (short or feature).