Residency programme for foreign filmmakersApplication deadline: November 24, 2025

The Cité

open call

Caméra libre

Application deadline: November 24, 2025

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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.

APPLY NOW

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.

Criteria

Calendar

For this new edition, two commissions will take place in November 2025 and in 2026

First Commission:

Opening of the call: July 15, 2025Application deadline: September 11, 2025Commission date: November 2025Start of the residency: between February and March 2026, for 6 months

Second Commission:

Opening of the call: September 12, 2025 Application deadline: November 24, 2025Commission date: February 2026Start of the residency: April or May 2026, for 6 months

FAQ

The CNC

the "Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée" (CNC) is a public administrative establishment placed under the supervision of the minister in charge of culture, and has a president at its head. The CNC's principal responsibilities are: supporting, regulating, negotiating, promoting and distributing, cooperating with local authorities, protecting film heritage.

The usage du monde in the 21st century

open call

Caméra libre

Residency programme for foreign filmmakers

Application deadline: November 24, 2025

Download (2) Our partners

Share

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.

APPLY NOW

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.

Criteria

Calendar

For this new edition, two commissions will take place in November 2025 and in 2026

First Commission:

Opening of the call: July 15, 2025Application deadline: September 11, 2025Commission date: November 2025Start of the residency: between February and March 2026, for 6 months

Second Commission:

Opening of the call: September 12, 2025 Application deadline: November 24, 2025Commission date: February 2026Start of the residency: April or May 2026, for 6 months

FAQ

How to apply?

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 FORMTHE 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.

Accessibility

Unfortunately, the available live-in studios do not comply with current standards in terms of accessibility for the disabled. However, we are working to remedy this situation in the future. We remain at your disposal if you have any questions about accessibility at the Cité internationale des arts.

The CNC

The usage du monde in the 21st century

The usage du monde, a cultural association of general interest, has as its main mission to support the creative freedom of filmmakers from non-democratic countries or countries in conflict. Since 2013, it has been organising the Rencontres cinématographiques at Le Louxor, Palais du Cinéma, while supporting filmmakers in residence at the Centre international d'accueil et d'échanges des Récollets who have a feature film project, as part of the "Cinéastes en liberté" programme supported by the CNC, the MEAE and the City of Paris.

The Cité internationale des arts

The Cité internationale des arts is an artists' residency that brings together artists in the heart of Paris and allows them to implement a creative or research project in all disciplines.

For periods of two months to one year, the Cité internationale des arts allows artists to work in an environment that is conducive to creation and open to meetings with professionals from the cultural milieu. Residents benefit from customized support from the Cité internationale des arts team.

In the Marais or in Montmartre, the live-in studio (a space for living and creating) allows residents to cohabit with more than 300 artists and actors from the art world of all generations, all nationalities, and all disciplines. In collaboration with its many partners, the Cité internationale des arts opens several calls for applications on specific themes and/or projects throughout the year.