The 35th edition of the FLANDERS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL-GHENT is scheduled for October 7-18th, 2008. Once again "The Impact of Music on Film" is the overall theme. More than 200 films will be shown at Kinepolis Gent, Capitole, Sphinx, Studio Skoop and Arts Centre Vooruit.
"...one of the Top 50 must attend festivals of the world because of this focus on (film)music" ('Variety');
"... one of the 5 European Film Festivals with character!" ('The Wall Street Journal').
WELCOME Y'ALL...!!
A LITTLE HISTORY...
The first edition of our festival was organised by Studio Skoop and the University Filmclub in January 1974 . At that time is was called " Filmgebeuren van Gent " (the "Ghent Film Happening") and its aim was to present films that would never reach the normal theatre circuit because of their contents and style. The Film Happening's target was opposed to the Brussels Festival's target, which was to launch movies about to be released in Belgian theatres.
In 1974, the enthusiastic spectators were shown 18 movies. This was the pioneering stage. The new movie makers attacked the establishment using provocative themes and breaking taboos. In Ghent, new names and new concepts were introduced. Seeds were planted for a festival that could offer a panoramic view to films from all over the world.
In 1978 the number of movies had risen to 50 and these were divided into sections. The Film Happening wanted to instruct its viewers and had moved from a small event meant for the happy artful few to a festival with a broader selection appealing to a larger audience.
But its success entailed a solid structure, which it had not. The festival was about to be drowned in financial and organisational problems. Meanwhile film festivals all over the world had changed too. The Ghent festival had to be remodelled. Jacques DUBRULLE, at that time a film producer and a communication expert, was asked to take over, reorganize its structure and expand its financial possibilities.
In 1979 the festival was reshaped into a non-profit organisation. Thus local authorities such as the City of Ghent and the Province of East-Flanders and (many years later) the Flemish government could participate more easily. The festival gained a reputation amid great public interest. Organised financing was now possible and the festival matured. John BULTINCK, a renowned film fan and lawyer, became its first president.
1979-1983 were years of transition. The programme expanded and the festival moved from springtime to fall. The festival became more international and invited foreign film makers to Ghent. Its first visitors were King HU, Maximilian SCHELL and Bertrand TAVERNIER. In 1981 films were featured in avant-premiere for the first time.
At the end of 1981 an innovative movie building complex with 10 theatres was opened in Ghent, the 'Decascoop'. Its big theatres, huge screens, comfortable seats, state of the art sound systems enabled the festival to develop even further. Over 100 movies could be scheduled now, including movies intended for larger audiences, in avant premiere, often attended by international guests.
In 1983 the non profit organization was renamed into the " Internationaal Filmgebeuren van Vlaanderen-Gent " (Flanders International Film Festival-Ghent). The festival also started promoting Belgian productions. The premiere of Marc DIDDEN's "Brussels by night" in 1983 was a landmark in the festival's history.
In 1984 the festival was acknowledged by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations. (FIAPF). The festival complied with the demands of the profession. From then onwards it had a double mission. Firstly to enable the audience to see movies that do not stand a chance in theatres. And secondly to offer filmmakers the opportunity to launch their product on the Belgian market and later on in Benelux and Europe.
In that same year the first Night of the Film was organized. Ever since, the "Joseph Plateau Awards" are presented during this gala night. These awards are named after JOSEPH PLATEAU (1801 - 1883), the Ghent professor who formulated the principle of persistence of vision, on which film is actually based. The awards are presented by international moviemakers to their Belgian colleagues for their work in the film industry.
In 1985 the festival blossomed. On an organisational and financial level it became a top quality cultural event. This became possible because a team with a long term vision worked all year long preparing the festival.
In 1985 the festival launched a highly original main theme : " The Impact of Music on Film ". No other festival in the world had done this before. It enabled the festival to go beyond the traditional film projection. Live concerts were organised during which the following top composers performed their scores :
- Ennio MORRICONE - Georges DELERUE - Jean-Claude PETIT - Nicola PIOVANI - Peer RABEN - Stanley MYERS - Carl DAVIS - Bruce BROUGHTON - Michael NYMAN, a.o.
In this period the festival expanded even further. The Flanders International Film Festival became Belgium's biggest one, its programme covering all genres and styles and highlighting all aspects of the film industry.
International interest was rising and each year more foreign guests and stars are welcomed to the festival to present European or even world premieres. Since 1993 the festival has a permanent representation in Paris, London, Amsterdam and the USA. It is also present at various international happenings.
In 1993 the festival was awarded the title of " Cultural Ambassador of Flanders ". The festival keeps track of new trends, both on artistic and on technical levels. Multimedia were introduced in 1996.
In 1998 the festival was named " Ambassador of Ghent ".
The Flanders International Film Festival was the first festival in the world to focus on the importance of scores . It launched an international competition on " the impact of music on film ", and film music concerts are performed. Silent movies are accompanied by live music and various seminars on film music can be visited. In 2001 the festival presented the "World Soundtrack Awards" (WSA) for the first time.
The Awards are created by the World Soundtrack Academy. This Academy wants to highlight the educational, cultural and professional aspects of film music and film sound. The Academy wants to preserve the history of soundtracks and promote them worldwide. The presentation of the World Soundtrack Awards is one of their promotional actions.
The Academy's distinguished members are recruited among composers and people from the international film music business.
More than ever before this festival keeps track of the evolution of film music. In 2002 another initiative was launched : 'the competition for Belgian Composers'.
Winners of the "WSA LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD":
2001 - Elmer BERNSTEIN 2002 - Sir George MARTIN 2003 - Maurice JARRE 2004 - Alan and Marilyn BERGMAN 2005 - Jerry LEIBER and Mike STOLLER 2006 - Peer RABEN 2007 - .....
After 29 years the festival faces serious challenges. Film production offers are narrowed down, the running of theatres has changed drastically, and commercialisation of the film industry sometimes proves to be suffocating. Creativity is an absolute necessity. New carriers of images and new technologies question the medium of film itself and threaten the authorship. Production of short and features films explores the possibilities of virtual images.
A film festival that wants to survive in the 21st century will have to keep track of these trends carefully.
The strength of the Flanders International Film Festival lies in its core team. New and young people have already joined them. Together they are ready to help the festival expand further.
GUESTS:
The Flanders International Film Festival-Ghent is delighted to welcome many foreign guests. The last few years the following stars were present:
- Tony CURTIS - Alain RESNAIS - Lord Richard ATTENBOROUGH - Stanley DONEN - Viggo MORTENSEN - David CRONENBERG - Mike LEIGH - Francois OZON - Jeanne MOREAU - Gina LOLLOBRIGIDA - Sir Peter USTINOV - Sidney POLLACK - Jane BIRKIN - Luc BESSON - Mike FIGGIS - Morgan FREEMAN - Andy GARCIA - Melanie GRIFFITH - Robert ALTMAN - Juliette BINOCHE - Sandra BULLOCK - Brad PITT - Agnes VARDA - Neil JORDAN - Ken LOACH - Patrice CHEREAU - Michael HANEKE, a.o.
To view the Guests list you need ACROBAT READER (click here to download for free)!
Dowload GUESTS LIST (pdf)
Special thanks to Mr. Jacques Dubrulle (delegate of the Board/Managing Director), Wim Coessens (Sales, marketing and operations manager), Wim De Witte (Programmer/Head programm committee), Gwen Vande Pitte (Public affairs/Human resources), Danielle Heynickx (Guest officer / Member programm committee), Machteld Van Vlaenderen (Sponsor department), Muriel Châtel (Communication department), Thomas Dierckens (Press & Industry), Daniella De Decker (Accounting department/Ticketting), Vera Lambersy (Secretary), Marian Ponnet (Music & special projects / Member of the board), Cis Bierinckx (Curator 'A Look Apart').
Copyright © 2006 Flanders International Film Festival-Ghent . All Rights Reserved.