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The Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival, a return trip from Vichy

Published 26 January 2022

The 49th Festival international du court métrage de Clermont-Ferrand (Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival) will take place from 29 January to 6 February 2027. From Vichy, the city can be reached in under an hour, by train or by car, so you can attend several screenings in a day and come back to sleep in peace and quiet in the evening. Here is how to plan your trip.

The festival in a nutshell

It is one of the world's biggest events dedicated to short film. The programme brings together three competitions (international, national and Labo, open to more experimental forms), retrospectives and themed screenings. Alongside it, the Marché du film court (Short Film Market) welcomes professionals from 1 to 4 February 2027.

For the public, the idea is simple: each screening runs several films of varying lengths back to back. Even if you like one film less, the next comes along quickly. It is a great way to discover cinema from many countries in a single day.

The festival is not just for professionals or seasoned film buffs. Many viewers come for one or two screenings, as a couple or with friends, and some programmes are suitable for children. If you do not know where to start, pick an international competition screening: it is the most varied.

Getting there from Vichy by train

The TER line from Vichy to Clermont-Ferrand is the most practical option during the festival, as parking in central Clermont is limited and often full at this time. Trains are frequent on weekdays and the journey generally takes between half an hour and three quarters of an hour depending on the stops.

• Check the time of the last return train before choosing your evening screenings.
• From Clermont station, the centre and the venues can be reached on foot or by public transport.
• Our article Getting to Vichy by train covers the station and its connections.

Getting there by car

By motorway, allow around 50 minutes to Clermont-Ferrand. The most sensible option is to park in a park-and-ride on the outskirts, then finish by tram or bus. This option is useful if you are travelling as a group or plan to stay late.

Tickets and planning

Single screening tickets and passes are sold on the official festival website, where the 2027 programme will be posted a few weeks before the opening. The main venue is La Jetée, place Michel-de-l'Hospital, and the Maison de la culture hosts many screenings along with other partner cinemas.

• Buy your tickets early for evening and weekend screenings, which fill up fast.
• Plan breaks: watching more than three screenings in a row is tiring, even for film lovers.
• In early February, the weather can be cold and damp: a warm layer is useful for the queues.

Make the most of Vichy too

Staying in Vichy during the festival lets you alternate a day of cinema in Clermont with a quieter day in town, in the parks or at the covered market. If the weather is not on your side, our article Vichy in the rain has some ideas. Our apartments in Vichy can be booked from one night, cleaning and linen included, and our properties near the station mean you can do without a car.