Cannes Film Festival has unveiled its Short Film and Cinéfondation lineups for 2018. While the Cinéfondation selections are 47 percent women-directed — a slight increase from last year’s 44 percent — only 25 percent of the shorts are from female filmmakers. This marks an eight percent decrease from 2017’s 33 percent.
Overall, only two women-helmed shorts made it into the Short Films Competition: the animated “III” from Marta Pajek,” and “Caroline,” a day in the life of a six-year-old girl co-directed by Celine Held. “III,” “Caroline,” and the six other shorts being screened will compete for the 2018 Short Film Palme d’or, which will be presented at the festival’s May 19 awards ceremony.
Meanwhile, three Cinéfondation films will receive awards on May 17. The competition, comprised of shorts from film students, will showcase 17 films this year. Of the Cinéfondation selections’ 22 directors, 12 are women, Cannes announced in a press release. Overall, eight of the 17 films are directed or co-directed by women.
Among the women-helmed Cinéfondation projects are “Palm Trees and Power Lines,” Jamie Dack’s depiction of a teen girl’s complicated bond with an older guy, and “End of Season,” Zhannat Alshanova’s portrait of a middle-aged woman who rediscovers her love of swimming.
Cannes will take place May 8–19. The fest’s Official Selection lineup will be announced tomorrow, April 12.
All of the shorts and Cinéfondation picks directed or co-directed by women are below. List adapted from Cannes.
THE 2018 SHORT FILMS COMPETITION
CAROLINE
Directed by Celine Held and Logan George
USA
III
Directed by Marta Pajek
Poland
THE CINÉFONDATION SELECTION 2018
END OF SEASON
Directed by Zhannat Alshanova
The London Film School
UK
SAILOR’S DELIGHT
Directed by Louise Aubertin, Éloïse Girard, Marine Meneyrol, Jonas Ritter, Loucas Rongeart, and Amandine Thomoux
ESMA
France
INANIMATE
Directed by Lucia Bulgheroni
NFTS
UK
PALM TREES AND POWER LINES
Directed by Jamie Dack
NYU Tisch School of the Arts
USA
FRAGMENT DE DRAME (A PIECE OF TRAGEDY)
Directed by Laura Garcia
La Fémis
France
CINCO MINUTOS AFUERA (FIVE MINUTES OUTSIDE)
Directed by Constanza Gatti
Universidad del Cine (FUC)
Argentina
INNY (THE OTHER)
Directed by Marta Magnuska
PWSFTviT
Poland
ALBASTRU SI ROSU, IN PROPORTII EGALE (EQUALLY RED AND BLUE)
Directed by Georgiana Moldoveanu
NATC I.L. CARAGIALE
Romania
