The moment has arrived : the programme for the 53rd edition of Film Fest Gent has been announced ! From 7 to 18 October, the city of Ghent will once again serve as the backdrop for more than 100 feature films, 40 short films, 2 VR projects, and 23 documentaries from 49 different countries, often attended by directors, cast, and crew. From promising debut films to multi-award winners, the films on the programme share one thing in common : they demonstrate that art is more important than ever in these uncertain times.
In the opening film Coward by Lukas Dhont, young soldiers try to briefly escape the horrors of the trenches by staging musical performances. Meanwhile, the closing film Le Faux Soir by Michaël R. Roskam shows how imagination can also be a powerful act of resistance. Yet, it does not always have to be about grand heroic deeds ; often, it is the small, everyday stories that are truly worth telling. Discover the full programme, featuring everything from emerging Belgian talent to established Hollywood icons, on our website starting today !
Competition
Which films will take home the top prizes ? The International Jury awards the Grand Prix for Best Film and the Georges Delerue Award.
Gala & Specials
Versatility is the name of the game with these previews of highly anticipated releases that are sure to make a splash in the coming film year.
Official Selection
In this section, you’ll discover an eclectic collection of films from all over the world, made by both experienced directors and emerging talents.
Shorts
The International and Belgian Student Short Film Competition and a retrospective highlight the importance and quality of the short film format.
Sound & Vision
Music runs through Film Fest Gent’s very fibers, not only with the WSA, but also through these powerful stories from across the music scene in all its sights, sounds, and colours.
Artists on Film
Great art and great artists deserve the big screen. Dive into the lives and work of Siri Hustvedt, Chris Marker, the Harlem Renaissance, the Antwerp Six, or director Jocelyne Saab.
Kidsproof
Film Fest Gent goes Kidsproof ! With a selection of magical, educational, and heartwarming film screenings, the festival caters to the youngest film fans and their families.
Focus On
In this section, we highlight filmmakers who deserve special attention : this year, the Argentine film collective El Pampero Cine and queer film icon Barbara Hammer.
Classics
The Classics program looks back at the body of work of French New Wave filmmaker Éric Rohmer, who made ’small’ films about ’small’ subjects such as love and jealousy.
Videodroom
Videodroom is the annual creative ’dream date’ between Film Fest Ghent and VIERNULVIER, where a selection of obscure films is given a newly composed live soundtrack.
Talks & Events
Film Fest Gent is once again set to welcome a host of film and music talent to the red carpet and beyond this year ! During the festival, you can enjoy free, engaging talk shows with directors at the Film Fest Café, the Talkies. During Film Music Days, 8 to 10 October, composers, film professionals, and (film) music students will gather for inspiring talks, workshops, networking events, and masterclasses on the art of composition. On the annual Film Industry Day, October 9, film composer Volker Bertelmann and director Edward Berger will discuss their creative partnership, as well as film producer Rebecca O’Brien. Numerous renowned composers will be honored with awards at the World Soundtrack Awards.