Created in 1998 and devoted to the search for new talent, the Cinéfondation selects fifteen to twenty short and medium-length films each year from film schools all over the world.

The Cinéfondation selection forms part of the Official Selection and the selected films are presented to the Cinéfondation and Shorts Jury which awards a prize to the best three at an official ceremony.

Each year more than 1500 student films are sent to the Cinéfondation, a testimony of the diversity and dynamism of the young international cinematographic creation. Since 1998 more than 200 films from 80 schools in the world have been selected.