Does anyone still dare to call the short film the neglected brother of the feature film? The Brussels Short Film Festival (BSFF) is getting ready for an anniversary edition and expects 25,000 visitors.
'Brutalia, Days of Labour' by Manolis Mavris.
The Brussels Short Film Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary
Be happy that you are not a bee. In Brutalia, Days of Labour, the Greek Manolis Mavris creates a human society organised like a beehive with girls in identical military dress all doing the same job in total obedience to an oligarchy. The socially critical and darkly comic short film with a pinch of horror and musical is one of the 59 films selected for the Brussels Short Film Festival (BSFF) international competition. The other 3,655 entries did not make it.
The winner of the international competition, just like the winner of the national competition, will automatically be put on the pre-selection list for the Oscar for best short film. That the Academy takes the BSFF seriously is hardly a surprise. When there is no Covid, the Brussels festival attracts 25,000 people and the festive atmosphere helps to explain that success.
The festival makes no secret of the fact that it already is on its 25th edition. There is not only a best-of that looks back at the high-flyers of the past years. There is also a selection of short films on the theme of parties. Parties that usually do not go as planned. Four loyal visitors and short film freaks were even given carte blanche to put together a programme. People could also vote via the website for the short films that made the best impression. As a result, Swimsuit 46 by Wannes Destoop will once again be back on the big screen, just like the excellent Avant que de tout perdre by Xavier Legrand.
The BSFF also counts Les corps étrangers in its hall of fame, a short film by the Brussels-based Laura Wandel, who made an international impression with her playground thriller Un monde. For the first time, the BSFF is partnering with the Ritcs, which will present programmes from the Next Generation Competition. The free open-air screenings at Mont des Arts are going ahead.
BRUSSELS SHORT FILM FESTIVAL
20 > 30/4, various locations, www.bsff.be
Read more about: Film, Events & Festivals, Brussels short film festival, BSSF, Laura Wandel, Wannes Destoop, Xavier Legrand
