Regulations Works-in-Progress 2025
Project submission – ParisDOC Works-in-Progress 2025
ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS
1. The submitted projects must be feature-length documentary films. A rough cut version must be completed.
2. We are looking for projects that fit the following description:
– Feature-length documentary projects between the editing and post-production stages
– Unreleased films, free of any commitments towards their distribution (theatrical distribution, TV, festivals, web platforms and sales).
– Compatible with the artistic vision of Cinéma du réel.
– Looking for cinema, TV or digital distribution, festivals and sales.
3. The information and video file sent to the festival will remain confidential and will only be used as part of the selection process of ParisDOC Works-in-Progress.
4. Projects may be submitted in French or English. For films in other languages, subtitles in one of these two languages must be available in order for your submission to be taken into consideration.
5. Projects must be registered online between 19 November 2024 and 13 January 2025, using the submission form accessible from www.cinemadureel.org. The submission fee is €10 until 15 December and €20 from 16 December. No exceptions will be made. Registrations are only considered complete upon receipt of said amount by the festival.
6. The selected projects will be notified by the end of February 2025.
PROCESS
7. The selected films in progress will be screened in their entirety, once, between 26 and 27 March 2025, in one of Cinéma du réel’s partner venues in Paris.
8. The films are presented as works-in-progress, and their screenings are therefore not considered world premieres.
9. Each screening is followed by an informal meeting between the project holders and attending industry delegates.
10. Access to ParisDOC Works-in-Progress sessions by participating professionals is by invitation by the Cinéma du réel team, or subject to approval.
11. Cinéma du réel will invite a select group of experts to exchange with the project holders, in order to share, as peers, analyses and recommendations.
12. The selection of films will be publicly unveiled at the end of February 2025 through Cinéma du Réel’s multiple channels of communication (website, social media, newsletter, press releases and festival’s prints).
13. A professional accreditation (worth 50€) is offered to the selected project holders, giving them access to all the festival programming and ParisDOC activities.
14. Travel and accommodation expenses in Paris are not covered by the festival.
15.Studio Orlando is a partner of Cinéma du réel. As such, one of the projects selected for ParisDOC Works-in-Progress will benefit from post-production support (mixing or color-grading) from Studio Orlando.
16. The Directors’ Fortnight is a partner of ParisDOC Works-in-Progress. As such, projects selected at ParisDOC Works-in-Progress will benefit from free registration for the 2025 Directors’ Fortnight in order to be considered by the selection committee.
MATERIAL DELIVERY AND MANDATORY MENTIONS
17. Project holders agree to provide the festival with the necessary communication elements and quality screening material: ProRes, HQ files (no DCPs). Requirements for sound: stereo (no 5.1)
18. Participation in ParisDOC Works-in-Progress implies authorisation for Cinéma du réel to use the film’s promotional material (technical and artistic information, still images, extracts) in all its communication media (printed programme, website and social networks).
19. Selected project holders undertake to accompany the project in person to the festival, to present the film in progress and to attend planned meetings with professionals. The ParisDOC Works-in-Progress team will be at their disposal to guide them in preparing their presentation pitch.
20. No film can be withdrawn from the program after the announcement of the selection.
21. The project holders are responsible for shipping the screening copies.
22. Any film that has participated in ParisDOC Works-In-Progress and is distributed commercially or not (in theaters, on television or on a platform …) or presented at a festival in France and abroad, must include the following mention in its end credits “This film was part of ParisDOC Works-In-Progress – Cinéma du réel 2025” alongside the logo provided by the festival:
23. In case of a commercial or non-commercial distribution or a festival presentation in France and abroad, the film having obtained the Studio Orlando prize must – in addition to the mention in the end credits (see above) – visibly include the “RÉEL Coup de Coeur Orlando 2025” laurel wreath logo provided by the festival in the opening credits of the film and on all promotional documents (posters, postcards, invitations, etc.) and press kits published subsequently.
FINAL DISPOSITION
24. Registration implies unreserved acceptance and compliance with the terms and provisions of these regulations. In the event of a dispute, only the text in French is authentic.