The Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFFF) was founded in 1983. It focuses on horror, thriller, science fiction and fantasy films. The festival was initially organized by Annie and Freddy Bozzo, George and Guy Delmote, and Gigi Etienne.
The festival lasts for 13 days, which is quite a symbolic number for a horror film festival, and screens about 100 films, including world and international premieres. The Brussels International Fantasy, Fantastic, Thriller and Science Fiction Film Festival attracts over 60,000 spectators and 100 international guests every year, which makes it one of the largest film festivals in Europe.
The Brussels International Fantasy, Fantastic, Thriller and Science Fiction Film Festival is a competitive film festival. Its competition is open to both feature-length and short film. The main award of the festival is called the Golden Raven. The first film to win the award was The Wild Hunt of King Stakh by Soviet filmmaker Valeri Rubinchik. Past winners include film directors from the United States, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, the Czech Republic, Canada, Denmark, South Korea, Thailand, and other countries.
Along with competitive and non-competitive screenings, the program of the festival includes a variety of other events. Since 1991, one of the main highlights of the festival has been the traditional international body art competition. Other notable events include a makeup competition, a zombie parade in downtown Brussels, Japanese Animation Day, a manga market, a cosplay contest, the famous Vampire Ball, and many more.
The Brussels International Fantasy, Fantastic, Thriller and Science Fiction Film Festival also hosts BIF Market. This film market helps filmmakers and producers find funding for their projects as well as exchange ideas and experience with their colleagues from across the world.
Photo: 33rd BIFFF - Jan Lievens
