The Cité internationale des arts welcomes artists from all over the world through a wide range of residency programs.
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Caméra libre
With our partner CNC - Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée
With our partner L'usage du monde au 21ème siècle
Presentation
The CNC, in partnership with the Cité internationale des arts and L’usage du monde au 21e siècle, is launching the fourth edition of the “Caméra libre” residency programme.
The residency welcomes in residence in France foreign filmmakers who have already made at least one feature-length film selected at a leading international festival, and who are developing an international feature-length film project, but are prevented from its writing, financing and/or production due to violence, censorship, persecution or political threats they face in their country.
The directors will be welcomed in residency at the Cité internationale des arts for six months. They will receive tailored support from the Cité internationale des arts, L’usage du monde au 21e siècle, and the CNC.
Projects will be reviewed by a seven-member commission. These members are selected among French or foreign film professionals or among individuals qualified to defend freedom of expression.
Full details of the eligibility requirements and the application process can be found in the description of the residency available in the “Downloads” section.
The programme
Caméra libre aims to welcome for six months in Paris foreign filmmakers who are confronted with censorship, persecution or political violence putting them in danger, preventing them from developing their project, or making it difficult for them to network with potential financial partners. It is aimed at directors and film directors who have already made at least one feature film selected in an international festival and who are in the process of developing a feature film project for international release.
The selected directors will be in residence at the Cité internationale des arts for a period of six months. In the most difficult situations, they may be accompanied by their spouse and a minor child (up to the age of 7).
The residence includes full coverage of residents’ travel and accommodation costs (international transportation, visa costs, travel insurance, grant to cover living costs) as well as artistic, legal, and administrative support:
• Artistic support: Specific support will be set up depending on the expectations and needs of residents: consultations, participation in additional writing workshops within partner residences, participation in professional events, etc.
• Legal and administrative support: Directors whose situation requires special support from the French authorities will be able to benefit from legal expertise and administrative support provided jointly by the Cité internationale des arts and L’usage du monde.
• Professional support: presentation by the CNC of the national and regional film and audio-visual support schemes available in France. Additional professional meetings may be organised at the CNC’s premises or in parallel with events and festivals.
Current
D-6
Calendar
Forwarding of applications:
From 12 September to 24 November 2025
Announcement of results:
February 2026
Eligibility and Selection Criteria
The “Caméra libre” scheme is open to foreign directors who meet the following conditions:
- They are confronted in their country of origin or country of residence with censorship or persecution for reasons related to: their membership in a group (ethnic, political or religious, among others); their sexual orientation, their public or political positions, or the content of their work;
- They have directed at least one film, lasting 60 minutes or more, selected in one of the international festivals listed in the appendix;
- They are in the process of writing or developing a feature-length film project (documentary, fiction or animation). Projects in post-production are not eligible;
- They are fluent in French or English in a professional environment.
Directors who hold the nationality or a multi-annual residence permit in one of the following countries are not eligible:
- Member State of the European Union;
- Member State of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA);
- Australia, Canada, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, South Korea, United Kingdom, United States.
Various questions
Applications may be transmitted to the CNC:
• By email to the following address: cameralibre@cnc.fr
• Or via a secure account on the website of the French State for “simplified procedures”:
The application file consists of the following documents:
The duly completed APPLICATION FORM
THE CANDIDATE’S SITUATION: A letter indicating :
• Background information on the applicant’s personal situation;
• The reasons preventing them from creating freely in their own country;
• The applicant’s motivation for taking up a residency at the Cité internationale des arts as part of the “Caméra libre” programme and the concrete contribution this programme will make to the development and realisation of their project.
THE PROJECT: A presentation of the feature film project currently under development:
For FICTION and ANIMATION projects: a full script. Applications that include only a detailed treatment will not be considered.
For DOCUMENTARY projects: a detailed treatment of a minimum of 20 pages.
• A video lasting 2 to 5 minutes in which the applicant presents the project, in English or French;
• A one-page synopsis. Please don’t exceed one page
• A statement of intent and direction, detailing the current status of the project;
• CV and filmography of the applicant;
• Any documents or visuals useful for understanding the project.
As well as, if applicable:
• Note of intent and CV of the producer
• Letters of support or recommendation
• Any other information that the applicant considers relevant to the application.
Apply
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Other open calls
D-5
Application deadline: November 23, 2025
With our partners: Ministère de la Culture, ADAGP, Neuflize OBC Coporate Foundation
