MK2 Films Scores Brady Corbet, Kleber Mendonça Filho, Céline Sciamma Shorts (EXCLUSIVE)

MK2 Films Scores Brady Corbet, Kleber Mendonça Filho, Céline Sciamma Shorts (EXCLUSIVE) LYON, France — Short films by Brady Corbet, Kleber Mendonça Filho and Céline Sciamma are joining the international sales catalogue of Paris‑based MK2 Films, which is expanding its collection of lesser‑seen works by established filmmakers. The acquisitions, unveiled during Lyon’s Lumière Film Festival, were announced by MK2’s sales director Claire Lemoine, who described the move as a “strategic enrichment of our portfolio, giving new life to short‑form narratives that deserve broader exposure.” The three directors, each known for distinct cinematic voices, will now have their shorts marketed to festivals, broadcasters and streaming platforms worldwide. Corbet’s short, titled The Garden of Time, was filmed in 2022 and explores a young woman’s encounter with a mysterious garden that appears to exist outside linear chronology..

The 12‑minute piece, shot on 35mm with a muted colour palette, reflects Corbet’s penchant for lyrical visual storytelling, a trait evident in his recent feature The King of Staten Island. MK2 acquired the worldwide sales rights after a private screening at the festival’s “New Voices” sidebar, where it received a standing ovation from a crowd of programmers and critics alike. Kleber Mendonça Filho’s contribution, Sombra, is a 15‑minute Brazilian‑Portuguese short that delves into the lingering shadows of Brazil’s military dictatorship through the eyes of a teenage graffiti artist..

The film’s stark black‑and‑white cinematography and sound design echo the director’s acclaimed feature Bacurau, while its compact narrative tackles themes of memory, resistance and urban decay. Lemoine noted that “Mendonça Filho’s ability to fuse social commentary with poetic imagery makes Sombra a valuable addition to our catalogue, especially for territories seeking socially resonant content.” Céline Sciamma’s Murmur, a 10‑minute French‑language short, follows a teenage girl navigating the complexities of first love in a small seaside town. Shot on location in the coastal region of Brittany, the film employs natural light and a restrained soundtrack to underscore the protagonist’s inner turmoil..

Sciamma, whose previous work Portrait of a Lady on Fire garnered numerous awards, has said Murmur was a “personal exercise in restraint,” a sentiment echoed by festival attendees who praised its subtle emotional depth. The three shorts will be presented as part of MK2’s “Emerging Auteur” slate, a curated series aimed at highlighting the early, often experimental, works of directors who have already made a mark in feature cinema. The company plans to launch the slate at the Cannes Film Market later this month, with dedicated viewings for distributors, curators and streaming service acquisition teams..

According to Lemoine, the goal is to secure theatrical shorts programmes in Europe and North America, as well as digital windows on platforms that specialize in short‑form content. Industry analysts view MK2’s move as part of a broader trend among European sales houses to diversify their offerings beyond feature‑length fare. Short films, once relegated to festival circuits, have gained increased commercial relevance thanks to the rise of streaming services that devote sections to short‑form storytelling..

“The market for shorts is expanding, and companies like MK2 are positioning themselves to capitalize on that growth,” said Pierre Dupont, a senior analyst at European Media Insights. The acquisition also underscores Lyon’s Lumière Film Festival’s growing influence as a hub for sales activity. Traditionally known for its emphasis on classic cinema, the festival has in recent years broadened its scope to include contemporary works, particularly in the short‑film arena..

This shift was championed by Cannes director Thierry Frémaux, who emphasized the festival’s role in bridging artistic heritage with emerging talent during his opening remarks. In addition to the three new titles, MK2 confirmed the continuation of its partnership with the festival’s International Classic Film Market, which will run concurrently with the main programme. The market provides a platform for the sale and acquisition of restored classics and archival material, complementing the company’s focus on contemporary shorts..

Lemoine highlighted that the synergy between classic and new works allows MK2 to offer a comprehensive catalogue that appeals to a wide range of buyers. The short films will also be featured in a series of special screenings at partner festivals throughout the year, including the Toronto International Film Festival’s Short Cuts programme and the Berlin International Film Festival’s Berlinale Shorts section. MK2 has pledged to support promotional campaigns, including press kits, subtitling in multiple languages and targeted outreach to niche audiences..

These efforts aim to maximise the visibility of the shorts and secure placements in educational and cultural institutions. Critics have already begun to weigh in on the significance of the acquisitions. French film critic Marie‑Claire Bouchard described The Garden of Time as “a haunting meditation on temporality, rendered with exquisite visual precision.” Similarly, Brazilian journalist Rafael Oliveira praised Sombra for “its unflinching portrayal of a generation haunted by history, delivered in a compact yet powerful format.” Sciamma’s Murmur was lauded by British critic James Hartley as “a delicate portrait of adolescence that resonates far beyond its modest runtime.” The three directors, though at different stages of their careers, share a common thread: an inclination toward intimate storytelling that foregrounds character over spectacle..

Their shorts, while diverse in theme and style, collectively reinforce MK2’s commitment to championing auteur-driven cinema across formats. As the company expands its catalogue, it hopes to foster a pipeline that can eventually shepherd.