Belgian nominee in the Oscars, The Misfortunes, kicked off Film Festival in Ghent on October 6th. Festival offers almost more than 140 films and expects 120 000 guests.

Something what started in the 1970’s from students’ urge to show people films you couldn’t see elsewhere, is today known as Flanders International Film Festival.  Number of movies shown in the Festival got bigger and bigger every year, including more films that appealed also to the larger audience. Today festival aims to please a range of different people, having own categories as well to students as elderly people and not forgetting the immigrants.

Special attention to music

 

In 1985 Festival found it’s own perspective on the world of films, and since then one of the festivals cornerstones has been the impact of music on film. From 2001 it has organized World Soundtrack Awards as a part of the programme.

Music is present in other ways also; concerts are vital part of the Festival. One of the performers this year is Kevin Costner with his band.

 

Asian touch

 

Asia is on Festival’s focus this year. Numerous Chinese films are presented, most of them not seen in Belgian theaters otherwise. Japanese composer Shigeru Umebayashi (in the Mood for Love, House of Flying Daggers) will give a concert and the friends of anime are indulged with Studio Ghibli Restrospective and Anime! High Art – Pop Culture exhibition. Exhibition is held until January 2010 so you will have a chance to take part in the Festival even after it’s closing film, awarded Soul Kitchen.

Sources:  Flanders Today , Film Festival Ghent

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