Film festivals in Brussels, a never-ending Love Story

02 diciembre 2025

Cinema runs through the streets of the capital, like blood through its veins, with the city enjoying a special relationship with the seventh art that goes all the way back to the 19th century.

In 1832, Brussels-born scientist Joseph Plateau revolutionised the moving image with his Phénakistiscope, a device that laid the foundations of animation. A few decades later, the Lumière brothers chose the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert for their first public screening of the cinematograph outside France. Need more proof? In 2022, Chantal Akerman's Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles was voted best film in the world by the British magazine Sight and Sound and its readers, which was a great source of pride for our capital.

Today, between film shoots and festivals of all kinds, Brussels celebrates the seventh art in all its forms, all year round and in all weathers. Whether you're a fan of thrillers, animation, independent or committed films, you can be sure there's a festival celebrating it in Brussels!

Amongst the blockbuster festivals

The Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival is one of the must-see events that has Brussels moving at more than 24 frames per second. BIFFF reigns supreme over genre cinema. From fantasy, horror and science fiction to thrillers and dark comedies, the festival's programme is varied, rich and sometimes kitschy, but always surprising and exciting. The BIFFF also offers a unique atmosphere during screenings, and cult off-events such as its make-up competition and bloody Vampire Ball.

If you prefer the magical world of animation, head to Anima. Shorts and features, films for children and adults, the Brussels International Animation Film Festival explores every facet of animation, from the classics to the most daring creations. Internationally recognised, it qualifies for the Oscars: its Grand Prize for the best short film is eligible for a nomination at the Academy Awards.

Finally, for independent, committed and daring cinema, Pink Screens is a must. Dedicated to LGBTQIA+ themes, this autumn event explores identities and narratives through a prism that is sensitive, militant and often offbeat. Despite its success, the festival has managed to preserve its alternative soul, supported by the Genres d'à Côté association and Cinéma Nova. Every year, the festival closes on a high note with the unmissable Pink Night, where you can dance until the end credits roll.

Brussels rolls out the red carpet

Brussels is a gateway to world cinema. The Brussels International Film Festival is a veritable international showcase, presenting an eclectic range of films d'auteur, documentaries and genre films. It's a bit like the Brussels Mostra, with red carpets and meetings with some of the biggest names in world cinema, as well as a relaxed atmosphere with open-air screenings. The BRIFF goes beyond the official competitions, offering retrospectives and an immersive cinematic experience in the heart of the Belgian capital. For fans of more daring creations, the Brussels Independent Film Festival showcases experimental and independent production on an international scale. It provides a platform for young talent and productions off the beaten track, making each edition an invitation to discover original, innovative and surprising works. Since 2018, the Brussels Short Film Festival has been on the list of festivals qualifying for the Oscars. The winners of the Grand Prix in the International Competition and the National Competition will be considered for pre-selection for the Oscars.

It's not the size that matters

Brussels loves short films! The Brussels Short Film Festival (BSFF) showcases short films from all over the world, offering a panorama of contemporary creation, from fiction to animation and documentary. For a much more offbeat experience, Courts Mais Trash, in association with its LGBT counterpart Queer Mais Trash, goes off the beaten track with a selection of indie, DIY and often politically incorrect shorts. Over 100 films are screened each year and some forty directors from all over the world come to present their work.

Film as a source of reflection

Several Brussels festivals use film to encourage reflection and commitment. The Festival du Film Scientifique screens works that make science accessible and encourage reflection on its implications for society. The Festival des Libertés uses art and debate. It examines the state of human rights and fundamental freedoms through investigative film-making that transcends borders and cultures. Millenium Festival presents international documentaries that deal with sustainable development targets, taking an artistic look at global issues. The Brussels Art Film Festival (or BAFF, for short) showcases the best documentaries on artistic creation, covering disciplines as varied as painting, architecture, dance, music and many others, presenting a unique perspective on the world of art. The Festival AlimenTerre raises awareness of the issues of sustainable agriculture and food justice through films and discussions. Last but not least, En ville! showcases documentaries by exploring our territories and their imaginary worlds. It offers competitions, special screenings, debates, masterclasses and writing grants to support new projects.

Women and children first

Thanks to Filem’On, the very young have their very own festival, with a programme of animated, fiction and documentary films, accompanied by workshops and meetings to awaken their curiosity. This international event is a great way to discover film from an early age. In Brussels, two festivals put women in the spotlight.

Elles Tournent is a celebration of women's cinema, offering a platform for female directors through a selection of short and feature-length films, as well as strong, committed documentaries. By showcasing innovative and subversive works, this event aims to transform perceptions and promote diversity in the film industry. It's a chance to forget the omnipresence of male gaze. More militant, Elles s’engagent offers three evenings of daring screenings that focus on women's commitment to public life - from politics to humanitarianism to civic action. Each screening, followed by a debate led by experts, provides a genuine platform for rethinking and subverting established norms.

Travelogues in pictures

Fancy going travelling without leaving your seat? Brussels is full of festivals that celebrate creations from elsewhere. Peliculatina plunges you into the heart of Latin American cinema with a selection of films reflecting the cultural diversity of the region. Cinemamed showcases the wide range of works presented by the Mediterranean film scene through some sixty dramas and documentaries exploring the realities of the countries bordering the Mediterranean. The Polarise Nordic Film Nights programme is cooler, but just as exciting. A compendium of the best from Scandinavia, bathed in unique atmospheres. The Korean Film Festival, meanwhile, offers a glimpse of the dynamism of South Korean production, with thrillers, dramas and original comedies. Last but not least, Scéal Eile, the Irish Film Festival, gives a lovely Irish accent to cinematic journeys on the big screen.

Celebrating the unusual

For film buffs looking for extraordinary experiences, Brussels knows how to shake things up. The Brussels Porn Film Festival, launched in 2023, explores the diversity of sexuality on screen in partnership with SNAP! Festival. It's a genuine platform for alternative erotic stories. Offscreen is dedicated to independent and experimental cinema, with an eclectic programme ranging from little-known classics to underground treasures.

Under the stars... or in theatres!

Take advantage of balmy summer evenings to discover cinema in a whole new way! Cinéma Galeries offers L'heure d'été (its summer counterpart to L’heure d’hiver) with a selection of films screened in cinemas and in the open air, always based on an original theme: a city (such as Athens, Hong Kong, etc.).

Bruxelles fait son Cinéma, meanwhile, treats you to free open-air screenings in the capital's 19 communes, transforming sometimes little-known locations into ephemeral cinemas. It's a daring gamble that defies the weather, because Brussels festivals are no strangers to rain!

A journey through time

The CINEMATEK, situated right next to Bozar, is much more than just a cinema. Since 1938, it has been a meeting place for discerning film buffs. It preserves and screens feature films and documentaries in a rich and varied programme: themed cycles, retrospectives, tributes... It's a chance to discover masterpieces or rare nuggets, and so immerse yourself in the history of the seventh art. Don't miss the screenings of silent films accompanied by a piano, they’re a unique and moving experience that will take you back in time.