At the festival you can enjoy our free talkshow Film Fest Gent Talkies in the Film Fest Café. Talks are in Dutch, unless explicitly stated otherwise.
Eileen Walsh & Zara Devlin - Small Things Like These
Thu 10.10 - English
With Small Things Like These, the official opening film of the 51st edition of Film Fest Gent, Belgian director Tim Mielants turns the spotlight on a dark page of Irish history. Actresses Eileen Walsh and Zara Devlin, both born and raised in Ireland, will discuss this Berlin premiered film.
Leonardo van Dijl, Ruth Becquart & Tessa Van den Broeck - Julie zwijgt
Fri 11.10
Leonardo van Dijl impressed at home and abroad with Julie Keeps Quiet (Julie zwijgt). After selections in Cannes, Toronto and Melbourne his debut about the immense pressure in the sports world now travels to Ghent. A sensitive but urgent theme that even moved tennis star Naomi Osaka. The talkie will be with director Leonardo van Dijl, cast member Ruth Becquart and cast member Tessa Van den Broeck.
Ish & Monir Ait Hamou - BXL
Sat 12.10
A film from the heart of Brussels, with a heart for Brussels. During this Talkies, brothers Ish and Monir Ait Hamou give a unique insight into the stories and memories that inspired their debut BXL.
International Short Film Competition - hosted by Kortfilm.be
Sun 13.10 - Engels
Online platform Kortfilm.be invites filmmakers; Saleh Kashefi (And How Miserable is the Home of Evil), Camille Vigny (Crushed), and Naomi Pacifique (Looking She Said I Forget) who are competing in the International Short Film Competition, to the Film Fest Cafe to talk about the theme of ‘intimacy’. The talk will be moderated by Bo Alfaro Decetron.
Zohra Benhammou & Romy Mana - Ana + Yek
Mon 14.10
This Talkie highlights the home- grown documentary Ana + Yek. Filmmakers Zohra Benhammou and Romy Mana film Zohra's twin sister Sanaa. The two sisters make vastly different life choices: Sanaa's choice is to turn to Islam. In this Talkie both directors will talk about the creative process.
Arthur Japin - A Beautiful Imperfection
Tue 15.10
How to translate one of the world’s most widely read books to the big screen? Dutch author Arthur Japin managed to transform his Libris-winning novel A Beautiful Imperfection into a compelling screenplay. Followed by a signing session with Arthur Japin
Christina Vandekerckhove, Matteo Simoni & Basil Wheatley - Milano
Wed 16.10
With Milano, Ghent-based Christina Vandekerckhove not only made her fiction feature debut, but also the first Flemish film starring a deaf actor. Together with Matteo Simoni and Basil Wheatley, who play father and child, she looks back on the creative process. The Talkie will be translated by a sign language interpreter.
Robin Vanbesien - hold on to her
Thu 17.10
Robin Vanbesien’s hold on to her is nothing less than an attempt at reparation and a warm appeal for humanity. During this Talkie, he digs into the story behind the film: that of two-year-old Mawda, who was killed in a police chase in 2018.
Fabrice du Welz - Maldoror
Fri 18.10 - English
With Maldoror, the first Belgian feature film on the Dutroux case, Fabrice du Welz unravels one of the country’s darkest pages. Why did he choose to tackle this particular theme? How does a filmmaker deal with such a national trauma?
Between Directors: Emma Benestan & Jessica Woodworth
Sat 19.10
In collaboration with Unie van Regisseurs, Belgian-American filmmaker Jessica Woodworth, known for her collaborations with Peter
Brosens and her solo debut Luka, talks to director Emma Benestan. The French-Algerian director is presenting her raw, modern western Animale at FFG.