Edition 2023

Once in a while, between all those zombie flicks and black comedies, we enjoy a bit of Baudelaire. And we stumbled upon a passage that we particularly like, in which the great poet declares his love to Belgium, describing us as “an eternally wasted people that without reason bursts into laughter. A sign of idiocy. All Belgian, with no exception, have an empty skull.” Our kids aren’t any better: “Despicably ugly children. Hairy, dirty, vile little things. Even if they’d get a good scrubbing, they’d still be hideous.” Well, that’s why this year we decided to create a thematic section called “Vicious Brats”. Because even though they’re usually portrayed as poor little victims, our 2023 program proves they can also be ruthless tormentors. Baudelaire was onto something. Two dozen films, including WRATH OF BECKY, KIDS VS ALIENS, THE PRANK or Belgian co-production WOLFKIN, will guide you through our 2023 toy store. Talking about toys, an even bigger tearjerker than TOY STORY 3 is part of our line-up this year, 2016’s A MONSTER CALLS, because director Juan Antonio Bayona (THE ORPHANAGE, THE IMPOSSIBLE, JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN KINGDOM) will honor us with his presence at the BIFFF! Which is doubly fitting, as we also organize a Spanish Focus with nine gems from the country that brought you the submarine (sí señor!), which include the newest Alex de la Iglesia (FOUR’S A CROWD) and FEROCIOUS WOLF, remake of the Israeli BIG BAD WOLVES – “Best movie of 2013”, according to Tarantino – but also a particularly impressive selection of Spanish shorts entitled “Spainkillers”. And to go all mystical on you guys, we’ve also noticed an extraordinary phenomenon which occurs every 10 years since the very beginning of the festival. In 1983, the festival selection contained an unusually high percentage of films that later all became cult classics, such as THE LAST BATTLE, THE DARK CRYSTAL and EVIL DEAD. In 1993, the list included ARMY OF DARKNESS, BRAINDEAD and RESERVOIR DOGS. In 2003, BUBBA HO-TEP, CABIN FEVER and THE GRUDGE. In 2013, MAMA, OBLIVION and GHOST GRADUATION… As if, every decade, an exceptionally phenomenal BIFFF line-up comes along. So, what about 2023 then? Only time will tell. But whatever the case, we’re very proud to present highly anticipated heavy-hitters to you such as THE POPE’S EXORCIST, which will be part of our “Born After Armageddon”-day during which all movies will be free for youngsters between 16-25 years, EVIL DEAD RISE, exactly 30 years after the triumph of ARMY OF DARKNESS at the BIFFF, as well as INFINITY POOL, SISU and RENFIELD. The latter will introduce the very first completely, utterly and shockingly free for all Vampire Ball!!