From 24 April to 3 May, the Belgian capital is showcasing over 300 short films across four different venues as part of the Brussels Short Film Festival (BSFF). In addition to the national cinema screenings, the festival will also host workshops, competitions and a free open-air film session.
Since the late 1990s, the Belgian non-profit 'Un Soir...Un Grain' has aimed to promote cinema and facilitate interactions between industry professionals and the general public. With this mission in mind, the organisation developed the BSFF, which has been a major player on the country's cultural scene for almost three decades.
For its 28th edition, BSFF is focusing on the theme of freedom. "When we see that world politics is marked by a retreat from democracy and the trampling of our fundamental rights, it puts us in a real tizzy," the organisers wrote in a statement. "Convinced that culture is a space for expression and resistance against these trends, the BSFF team has decided to place this 28th edition under the banner of 'Freedoms'."
Open-air screenings
In line with the theme, one of the screening categories is centred around bringing "freedom to the spotlight". Four different cinematic programmes were compiled to explore the theme from different angles.
Within the "freedom" programme, the BSFF will host a screening accessible for the hearing impaired. This will take place at Cinema Galeries on 30 April and will feature a selection by the Belgian Short Film Agency.
Credit: Brussels Short Film Festival
On the 28 and 29 April, the festival will bring its cinematic programme to Mont des Arts for its free open-air screenings. Both days will feature titles which span a variety of film genres. These include documentaries such as the Belgian 'Atelier Collectif', as well as live actions and animations, such as the Portuguese 'Sopa Fria.'
The BSFF will also have screenings tailored to younger audiences, extra short film screenings, as well as quirkier titles in its 'Short but trashy' programme.
Must-sees
To help guide first-time festival goers, the organisers have compiled a 'must-see' list ranging from Oscar-nominated animations to 'wild cards' and medium-length features.
To mark the Polish presidency of the Council of the European Union, the festival will focus its 'Travelling sessions' on films related to Poland. Within this category, the BSFF will offer three different programmes in collaboration with the Warsaw Film School, the Lodz Film School, and the Brussels-based association dedicated to supporting women in film, Elles Tournent.
Professional activity during a previous edition of the festival. Credit: Brussels Short Film Festival
For those interested in getting more hands-on, the BSFF will host a series of workshops and networking opportunities with industry professionals. While most workshops are in French or Dutch, English speakers can look forward to a masterclass on how to co-produce films in or with Belgium.
The festival will also celebrate the best in filmmaking through three competitions: National, International, and Next Generation. The best films will be selected by a panel of judges consisting of journalists, citizens and industry professionals.
Find more information on the programme and ticket prices on the festival's official website.
