We are an annual independent and underground short film festival based in Brussels, Belgium, fall 2026 ). The festival has been running since 2005, increasing its success every year ! Around 6000 visitors come to attend our events during this week. We select over 100 short films and invite more than 40 filmmakers from all around the world.

The idea for Courts Mais Trash originated from a lack of a proper platform for alternative short films to be screened. Films that fail to meet conservative cinematographic standards are mostly snubbed by festival programmers and legitimate audio-visual venues. We love originality and creativity, cheapness and Beauty ! Trash is often perceived in the provocative sense of the word, we also use it in the alternative, political, cheap and offbeat way.

Since 2019 Courts Mais Trash declines as Queer Mais Trash, its non binary version focusing on LGBTQIA+ communities, in 2026 Queer Mais Trash will take place at the same venue.

We also have "The Female Trouble" Section : a feminist program by female directors focusing on the inequalities women face in various professional fields, from entrepreneurship to the academic world, sports and culture.

Every category of film will be projected, from experimental to animation, through video clips and documentaries. No genre is left unexploited.To avoid any possible confusion: the screenings are adults only, except for screenings that are specially targeted for scolar audience +15 years old.

Do you wish to participate in the biggest blowout alternative, underground and independent cinema has to offer, then act now !

Awards & Prizes

The audience will vote and give out the following awards:

• the best national movie award (500 euros offered by he Belgian national lottery );
• the best international movie award (500 euros offered by the festival);
• the best movie on a budget award (500 euros offered by the festival);
• the best queer movie award (500 euros offered by the festival);
• the best Belgian student movie award offered by SABAM & Cinérgie

A grand total of 2000€ !

Rules & Terms

RULES AND TERMS

ARTICLE 1. ORGANISERS

The ‘Courts Mais Trash’ organisation (hereinafter referred to as ‘the festival’.) is operated by the Born 2 Be Cheap association (hereinafter referred to as ‘the organiser’.) whose head office is currently located at 41/31 avenue de la Couronne in 1050 Ixelles, presided by Mister François Marache.

ARTICLE 2. THE DURATION OF THE FESTIVAL

The festival will take place at the Espace Magh (Rue du Poinçon 17, 1000 Bruxelles - Brussels) And Les Riches Claires (Rue des Riches-Claires 21, 1000 Brussels) , November 20-26, 2026 Dates to be announced. If the festival cannot attend physically, a virtual edition will be organized.

ARTICLE 3. TERMS OF ADMISSION

3.1 Registrations must be submitted between the 29th of January 2025 until the June 30, 2026, using the digital platform FilmFreeway (for submission fees, see the FilmFreeway categories).

3.2 The participant must submit a movie of undefined duration, independent and self produced. However there will be a « Courts Mais Trash Deluxe » selection for films with more budget, witch will be screened in an independant program.

3.4 The film may be entered by its author or production company. The participant has to be of legal age (18 or more). The participant is allowed to make multiple entries in the competition.

3.5 Films have to be submitted in its original language with the inclusion of French and OR English subtitles.

3.6 Films that were produced 48 months prior to the opening of the festival are ineligible for the competition.

ARTICLE 4. SELECTION
4.1 The list of selected entries will be revealed on October 16, 2026. Selected entries will be projected during the festival’s screenings.

4.2 Participants whose entries are selected will be contacted with a request to provide the festival with a digital copy of their work (H264 or ProRes) and accompanying information to be used for publication and communication. A written synopsis, the author’s (short) bio and an image to represent the film are requested.

4.3 Representatives of the selected entrie(s) will receive an accreditation for the entire duration of the festival including privileges for the festival and other events that are tied in with Courts Mais Trash.

ARTICLE 5. AUTHORISATION FOR EXPLOITATION

5.1 Participants waiver the rights (free of charge / non exclusive) of their selected entrie(s) for any subsequent form of exploitation (ONLY trailer and stills), worldwide and for a duration of three years following their enrolment, to the festival’s organiser.

5.2 Participants waiver the rights (free of charge) to their selected entrie(s) to the festival’s organiser to have an audio/visual extract of their film broadcasted (with a maximum duration of 1 minute) worldwide and for a duration of three years following their enrolment with regards to any promotional activity of the festival. This may be the case, among other media, on: the organiser’s website, Facebook, Instagram, Vimeo, Daily motion, Youtube, mobile application tools, tablets and other media partners of the festival, as well as other media selected by the festival.

ARTICLE 6. PRIZE
6.1 Participants stand a chance to win: « Prix du Public – compétition Nationale» (500€), «Prix du Public – compétition Internationale » (500€), a prize for the best lowest budget movie in the category ‘Born 2 Be Cheap’ (500€), A prize for the best LGBTQIA+ movie (500 €). All of these are awarded by the audience. The festival also awards the best student movie, for films screening in scolar programs.

6.2 The prize (in all categories) consists of 500 euros. A total of 2 000 euros is sponsored by partner Sabam for Culture, the festival, the Loterie Nationale and the City of Brussels.

57 Reviews
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  • Thomas Robineau

    Faire des films c'est pas toujours une partie de plaisir. Surtout quand ils ne trouvent pas leur public. Cette année on était prêts à raccrocher les gants, à arrêter le cinéma, souscrire à un emprunt, postuler pour un CDI à Biocoop, fonder une famille, prendre nos habitudes au PMU, adopter un chien et acheter une voiture. Et puis on a été sélectionnés à Courts Mais Trash. Et là, miracle! Grâce à son accueil formidable tous nos doutes se sont évaporés. L'envie de faire des films pour les voir projetés dans de si agréables conditions à des gens aussi sympas est maintenant multipliée par trois. Merci Courts Mais Trash!

    April 2025
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  • Romain Hugues

    Courts Mais Trash is an incredible festival for daring, boundary-pushing cinema. Honored to have my film selected among such bold, unapologetic works. A true celebration of indie spirit! 🎬🔥

    March 2025
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  • Léo Dazin

    Bravo l'équipe ! un festival fait pour le public et où on se marre.

    March 2025
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  • Vincenzo Nappi

    Amazing film festival with legendary programming! It was an honor to screen here!!

    March 2025
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  • Victoria Kadjou Jadot

    Un plaisir ! Digne de John Waters. <3

    February 2025
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