FFF: French shorts programme

Chico
Jojo, a clumsy, blundering young gay squatter, sets out to repair a washing machine in order to satisfy Lucien, the object of his desires. He wanders around Brussels on a frantic quest, ready to take any risk to achieve his goal.

Cast Mallo Breysse, Vadiel Gonzalez Lardued, Léo Moreau Directors Enzo Lorenzo I Belgium / France I 2024 I 22 mins

Scars We Love / Les Belles Cicatrices
A brief encounter between Gaspard and Leila in a crowded café leads him to retreat under the table, as the pain of lost love turns into a quiet internal storm. Nominated for Palme d’Or for Best Short Film, Cannes Film Festival 2024. Animation.

Voice Cast Fanny Sidney, Quentin Dolmaire Director Raphaël Jouzeau I France I 2024 I 15 mins

The Eternal City / Ville éternelle
In the Paris suburbs Lili is waiting for a bus to take her to the airport. The day is a public holiday. She comes across Thibault, an old schoolmate of whom she has no memory. As the bus does not appear she decides to walk to the airport. Thibault accompanies her despite her protests. Winner, Grand Jury Prize for Best French Short Film, Angers European First Film Festival 2023.

Cast Garance Kim, Martin Jauvat Director Garance Kim I France I 2022 I 19 mins

Expecting / L’Attente
Céline is in a maternity ward at night in labour with her first child. Her partner, Jeanne, will bring the baby into the world. In the entrance hall of the hospital Jeanne chats to men who, just like her, are waiting. Winner, César Award for Best Short Film 2024.

Cast Philippe Petit, Céline Adra, Julien Gaspar-Oliveri, Émilie Brisavoine Director Alice Douard I France I 2022 I 30 min

Two Friends / Deux amis
An unlikely friendship between a tadpole and caterpilar progresses as they grow into two very different beings: a frog and a butterfly. The film centres on the classic theme of metamorphosis and the issues of sameness and difference that can arise as a result, with an interesting twist when the butterfly goes missing. Told in a stylish animation, this short tale considers friendship and solidarity in a changing world of unfixed identities. Animation. Nominated for Jury Prize for Best Film, Poitiers Film Festival.

Director Natalia Chernysheva I France / Russia I 2014 I 4 mins

Pink, Black and Blue / Les Roses et les bleus
Through their locker room chats, training sessions, and the balance they find between coquettish touches and muddied knees, three teenage rugby girls question their own prejudices and those of their social circles toward female and male attributes in our society. Selected for International Short Film Festival Oberhausen, Germany. Documentary.

Director Claudia Lopez-Lucia I France I 2021 I 22 mins

Alarms / Apnées
Pierre is diligently overseeing the completion of the tumultuous construction site under his responsibility, ensuring all the while that progress does not come at the cost of safety. The site is beset by interminable delays, and the employees are exhausted. Winner, Special Jury Mention, Tribeca Film Festival (New York) 2024.

Cast Thomas Coumans, Laurence Côte , Eminé Meyrem Director Nicolas Panay I France I 2023 I 16 mins

Advisory content: strong language, nudity, injury detail, drug use