brussels independent film festival
The renewed Brussels Independent Film Festival is an annual, weeklong event that highlights independent and experimental cinematic talent.
​
The Centre Multimedia in Brussels founded the Brussels Independent Film International Festival (Festival International du Film Indépendant de Bruxelles) in 1974, to focus explicitly on super-8 films and other technically experimental cinematic styles. Although the festival was originally devoted to more highly experimental pieces, it expanded to include many different types of independent offerings.
During its original thirty-eight year run, the festival shone a much needed a spotlight on different, small national cinemas (for example, Lebanon in 2012 and Egypt in 2009). Ir ran a special competition for films by and for the deaf (from 1991 until 2012) as well and hosted national and international award competitions each year. It also created a program for young adults interested in making movies.
​
The festival has hosted many noteworthy filmmakers: Pedro Almodóvar (All About my Mother, Talk to Her), François Ozon (Swimming Pool, 8 Women), and Nanni Moretti (The Caiman).
​
Unfortunately, in its original incarnation, the festival came to an end in 2012.
​
Inspired by that original movement, the revived Brussels Independent Film Festival
continues to emphasize lesser known, vanguard cinematic works and further its tradition of galvanizing budding talent.
"A great diversity of films and international filmmakers, intimate encounters and amazing audience."
Angie Obeid
Most importantly, the Brussels Independent Film Festival creates a space for unique visionaries and voices. True to its history, the festival screens films of both novices and veterans —with medium and low budgets— from all over the globe. The festival’s goal is to create a warm, open atmosphere in which filmmakers, fans, critics, and producers can watch the films of emerging talents, explore new cinematic techniques and styles, and award cinematic excellence.
​
The Brussels Independent Film Festival creates an intimate atmosphere in which to revel in the beauty and wonder of the cinema with like-minded cineastes from all over the globe.