Fez — The Mediterranean Communication Audiovisual Center (CMCA) has officially launched submissions for the third edition of CourtMed, its short film competition dedicated to emerging audiovisual talent from the Mediterranean region.
Designed as a platform for new creative voices, CourtMed aims to highlight how younger generations of filmmakers interpret and portray the realities, cultures, and societies of Mediterranean countries.
The initiative reflects the CMCA’s broader mission to support intercultural dialogue and encourage innovative storytelling rooted in shared regional experiences.
A competition for students and emerging professionals
CourtMed 2026 is open to students enrolled in universities, film schools, and journalism institutes, as well as to young filmmakers and journalists who have recently graduated. Applicants must be nationals of countries located along the Mediterranean rim, reinforcing the contest’s regional focus.
Through this competition, the CMCA seeks to encourage emerging audiovisual creation while offering selected participants wider exposure for their work. For many young directors, CourtMed represents a first opportunity to present their films within a structured international framework.
Themes, formats, and eligibility criteria
Submitted short films must explore themes connected to contemporary issues, culture, heritage, history, and social realities in Mediterranean societies. Particular attention is given to works that reflect everyday life and the experiences of women and men across the region.
All genres and techniques are accepted, including fiction, documentary, reportage, animation, and hybrid formats. To be eligible, films must not exceed 15 minutes in length and must have been completed after January 1, 2025. These flexible criteria are intended to accommodate diverse creative approaches while maintaining a clear professional standard.
Awards and public screenings in Marseille
Several prizes will be awarded to the selected films, recognizing originality, storytelling strength, and relevance to Mediterranean themes. In addition to the awards, winning works will be screened publicly in Marseille, as part of a dedicated short film program.
This public screening offers participants valuable international visibility and the chance to connect with broader audiences beyond their home countries.
Submission deadline and regional significance
The call for films remains open until March 31, providing young creators with a wide submission window to finalize and submit their projects. By sustaining CourtMed as an annual platform, the CMCA continues to invest in the future of Mediterranean audiovisual storytelling.
Beyond competition, CourtMed 2026 shows the growing importance of youth-led narratives in shaping how Mediterranean societies see themselves and are seen by others.
In amplifying these voices, the initiative contributes to a more nuanced and shared cultural conversation across the region.
