Antananarivo, Madagascar
Rencontres du Film Court Madagascar
Africa's premier short film showcase in Madagascar
Tier 3In plain English
Rencontres du Film Court Madagascar is one of the few dedicated short film festivals on the African continent, held annually in Antananarivo and serving as a vital platform for Malagasy, African, and Francophone world cinema. It prioritizes short-form storytelling with a strong regional identity, making it a rare gateway into the East African and Indian Ocean film circuit. Filmmakers seeking visibility in an underserved market, or those with African, Francophone, or Global South narratives, will find this festival a high-ROI opportunity with genuine curatorial passion.
Score breakdown
SovereignScore™ dimensions
Great for
- ✓ Providing exceptional visibility for African and Francophone filmmakers who are largely ignored by Western festival circuits
- ✓ Fostering genuine community engagement — screenings often reach non-traditional audiences in a country with limited cinema infrastructure, giving films real cultural impact
- ✓ Offering an intimate festival environment where filmmakers receive direct access to programmers, local creatives, and regional media coverage
Not worth it if
- ✗ Generating international industry deals or connecting filmmakers with major distributors, agents, or buyers — the market infrastructure simply isn't there yet
- ✗ Providing significant career launchpad value for filmmakers already active on the international festival circuit who need marquee credits
- ✗ Supporting non-Francophone or non-African films that lack a clear thematic or cultural connection to the region — selection odds drop sharply without that alignment
Best for these genres
Filmmaker tips
- Submit with French subtitles or a French-language version if possible — it signals respect for the Francophone context and dramatically improves programmer reception
- Films touching on African identity, migration, environmental themes, or island/coastal life resonate strongly with the curatorial team and local audience sensibility
- Budget for the trip if selected — attending in person is rare for international filmmakers and will make you a standout guest, earning you extra press attention and relationship-building opportunities that remote participation simply cannot replicate
Notable alumni films
- Ady Gasy (short documentary works screened in regional touring programs connected to the festival)
- Films from the Malagasy collective Laterit Productions showcased in early editions
- Selected shorts from the FEMIS Africa exchange programs featured in competition
Submission details
- Typical deadline
- September
- Festival month
- December
- Short submission fee
- $0
- Feature submission fee
- $0
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