An international short film festival for student filmmakers (ages 11–18), Rough Cut celebrates creativity, storytelling, and cinematic craft across all genres.
Since its launch in 2010, the festival has showcased emerging talent from around the world. Many past participants have gone on to pursue film studies and careers in the industry.
Non-selected films will be published on our YouTube channel.
Winners - Rough Cut 2026
Building our love (2026), by Arthur Grouzinoff Benavides
Winner - Animation
Building our love
Arthur Grouzinoff Benavides, Lycée Français de New York
Two characters cross paths every day on the same block, unaware of the relation they are about to build. One day, one of them drops a red tissue, and the other one tries to return it. From this small interaction, we follow them through the seasons, wqatching their bond evolving through time, while staying in the same point of view. The building is a silent witness of this strong connection and is where everything started and where everything continues. The title “Building our love” is a word play with the verb “build” and the noun “the building”.
RUNNER UP
Elliot Smith, Kotaro Ando, Waly Fall, Julien Biddinger, Nolan Raillard, Lycée Français de New York
After a lightning strike sets his village ablaze while he’s sleeping by the river, a fisherman rushes home and disappears into his burning house.
Se perdre (2026), by Émilie Fournel
Winner - Narrative
Se Perdre
Émilie Fournel, Lycée Français de New York
RUNNER UP
Tino Etellin, Lycée Roger Frison Roche
A professional athlete/stuntman recovers from a terrible injury and attempts one of the most dangerous stunts in the world.
En attendant l'été (2026), by Émilie Fournel
Winner - Experimental
En attendant l’été
Émilie Fournel, Lycée Français de New York
RUNNER UP
Charlotte Keegan, Lycée Français de New York
The main character suffers painful memories of her deceased sister while she tries to catch a train.
To ban, or not to ban (2026), by Annabelle Ceria
Winner - Documentary
To ban, or not to ban
Annabelle Ceria, Lycée Français de New York
Documentary on the censorship of books and how the English Department faces that problem.
Oups! (2026), by Emilie Fournel, Valentine Rabontu
Winner - 45' Short Cut
Oups!
Emilie Fournel, Valentine Rabontu, Lycée Français de New York
A teenage girl’s snack mysteriously disappears from her locker.
Past Winners
2025
2024
2023
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