Edition 2018

The BIFFF stands for 36 years of passion, self-denial, sweat,
and sometimes blood. Hundreds of hours that make you
feel like your eyes will give in or that make you want to
light a candle.
Since 1983, the BIFFF has been a fierce defender of genre
movies, a section of the cinema that is now the most popular
in the world. Thanks to its co-productions and talented
technicians, Belgium is increasingly asserting itself as a key
player in cinematic fantasty art.
This year, we are proud to present eleven Belgian films, six
of which are world premieres! Internationally, Belgium is
holding a set of winning co-production cards: Muse (Jaume
Balagueró), I Kill Giants (co-produced by Chris Colombus
of Harry Potter fame), Mandy (with Nicolas Cage), and The
Man Who Killed Don Quixote (Terry Gilliam). Quite something,
isn’t it?
All this justifies, more than ever, the BIFFF’s risky bet to
create the first European genre film market in 2017. For
its second edition, the BIF Market is again welcoming
sellers and buyers from all over the world. We will also
be launching the “Work in Progress” section and offer a
perfect forum for Belgian professionals to showcase their
talents in an international context.
But above all, the BIFFF remains a popular festival, made
for and by the public. Of all Belgian film festivals, we have
the highest percentage of paying spectators. Our reputation
exceeds national boundaries, which becomes evident
from the number of submissions (nearly 2,000 films!) from
the four corners of the globe. This year, we’re having a record
number of twelve world premieres, thirteen international
premieres, and nine European premieres. Thirty-five
debut films will be programmed alongside work by top
names such as Ryuhei Kitamura, John Cameron Mitchell,
Paco Plaza, Lloyd Kaufman, Xavier Gens, Kiyoshi Kurosawa,
and Kim Ki-duk.
Genre cinema, as an uncompromising mirror of our time,
addresses topical themes: from feminism via the rise of nationalism
to migration. Our selection is clearly an indication
of current moral and ideological tendencies.
But rest assured: zombies, ghouls, vampires, monsters
unknown to Merriam-Webster, time loops, zany, daring,
and hardcore movies are still part and parcel of the festival’s
DNA!
As to novelties, it’s a real feast: an Augmented Reality exhibition
(unique in Belgium), a full-fledged Virtual Reality
section, our Vampire Ball (for the first time at BOZAR), a
monstrous Gaming Madness Zone, and a self-evident
collaboration: the second edition of the Boulevard du
Polar Festival. This will take place on April 13th and 14th
at BOZAR, with illustrious literary guests such as Craig
Johnson and Deon Meyer.
Speaking of guests, hundreds of actors and directors will
once again be present at the BIFFF to celebrate genre cinema.
Among them, we welcome Julia Ducournau, Stéphanie
Crayencour, and Laurent Lucas to our international jury,
which will be chaired this year by Lloyd Kaufman. Ah yes,
one last thing: a promising young Mexican director will
also appear at the BIFFF. He has just won four Oscars with
The Shape of Water, including Best Film and Best Director.
It’s a certain Guillermo del Toro... who will graciously be
giving an exceptional master class, co-hosted by Fabrice
du Welz and Jonas Govaerts.

The BIFFF stands for 36 years of passion, self-denial, sweat, and sometimes blood. Hundreds of hours that make you feel like your eyes will give in or that make you want to light a candle. Since 1983, the BIFFF has been a fierce defender of genre movies, a section of the cinema that is now the most popular in the world. Thanks to its co-productions and talented technicians, Belgium is increasingly asserting itself as a key player in cinematic fantasty art. This year, we are proud to present eleven Belgian films, six of which are world premieres! Internationally, Belgium is holding a set of winning co-production cards: Muse (Jaume Balagueró), I Kill Giants (co-produced by Chris Colombus of Harry Potter fame), Mandy (with Nicolas Cage), and The Man Who Killed Don Quixote (Terry Gilliam). Quite something, isn’t it? All this justifies, more than ever, the BIFFF’s risky bet to create the first European genre film market in 2017. For its second edition, the BIF Market is again welcoming sellers and buyers from all over the world. We will also be launching the “Work in Progress” section and offer a perfect forum for Belgian professionals to showcase their talents in an international context. But above all, the BIFFF remains a popular festival, made for and by the public. Of all Belgian film festivals, we have the highest percentage of paying spectators. Our reputation exceeds national boundaries, which becomes evident from the number of submissions (nearly 2,000 films!) from the four corners of the globe. This year, we’re having a record number of twelve world premieres, thirteen international premieres, and nine European premieres. Thirty-five debut films will be programmed alongside work by top names such as Ryuhei Kitamura, John Cameron Mitchell, Paco Plaza, Lloyd Kaufman, Xavier Gens, Kiyoshi Kurosawa, and Kim Ki-duk. Genre cinema, as an uncompromising mirror of our time, addresses topical themes: from feminism via the rise of nationalism to migration. Our selection is clearly an indication of current moral and ideological tendencies. But rest assured: zombies, ghouls, vampires, monsters unknown to Merriam-Webster, time loops, zany, daring, and hardcore movies are still part and parcel of the festival’s DNA! As to novelties, it’s a real feast: an Augmented Reality exhibition (unique in Belgium), a full-fledged Virtual Reality section, our Vampire Ball (for the first time at BOZAR), a monstrous Gaming Madness Zone, and a self-evident collaboration: the second edition of the Boulevard du Polar Festival. This will take place on April 13th and 14th at BOZAR, with illustrious literary guests such as Craig Johnson and Deon Meyer. Speaking of guests, hundreds of actors and directors will once again be present at the BIFFF to celebrate genre cinema. Among them, we welcome Julia Ducournau, Stéphanie Crayencour, and Laurent Lucas to our international jury, which will be chaired this year by Lloyd Kaufman. Ah yes, one last thing: a promising young Mexican director will also appear at the BIFFF. He has just won four Oscars with The Shape of Water, including Best Film and Best Director. It’s a certain Guillermo del Toro… who will graciously be giving an exceptional master class, co-hosted by Fabrice du Welz and Jonas Govaerts.