YOUALITY Festival: From Chantilly to Cannes, A Rising Voice in Poetic Cinema

Feb 6, 2025

Festival Timeline

Since its founding in November 2022, the YOUALITY International Short Film Festival has transformed from a poetic initiative into a respected global platform for alternative cinema. Emphasizing poetic narratives, women filmmakers, and socially engaged storytelling, the festival has become a bridge between cinematic art and international dialogue.

Focus Areas:
– Poetic Cinema
– Women Directors
– Innovative & Political Storytelling

Awards Presented:
– Best Poetic Film
– Best Short Film (All Categories)
– Best Documentary
– Best Animation

All selected films received certificates, and finalists were invited to the live screenings and ceremony.

🟢 1st & 2nd Editions (2022–2023)
Held in Chantilly, France, these editions welcomed global submissions via FilmFreeway. YOUALITY quickly earned a reputation for curating sensitive, bold, and boundary-pushing short films.

🟢 3rd Edition (April 2024)
Organized in collaboration with Istanbul Gelişim University and FotoFilm Festival Turkey, the third edition presented a curated "Best of Two Years" showcase—bringing together acclaimed works from previous cycles with public screenings and panel discussions.

🟢 4th Edition (September 2024)
Returned to Chantilly with expanded screenings and an in-person award ceremony, reaffirming the festival’s presence in the French cultural landscape.

✨ 5th Edition Highlights – May 2025

The 5th Edition (May 6–8, 2025) took place in Istanbul, once again partnering with Gelişim University and FotoFilm. With student audiences, international filmmakers, and creative exchange at its core, the event further emphasized YOUALITY’s transnational ethos.

Toward 2026: YOUALITY at Cannes & Beyond

Following its presence at the Marché du Film – Cannes 2025, YOUALITY Festival is now preparing for its 6th Edition and strengthening its integration into the European and global creative scene.

Submission dates will be announced soon, with continued focus on diversity, poetic resistance, and cinematic innovation.

📍 Next edition: Opening soon
🎞 Submissions: on FilmFreeway