The Ghent International Film Week is a one-of-a-kind film event bringing bold and original cinema to the heart of Ghent. Taking place during Ghent Art Week, it offers a full week of challenging, innovative films from around the world—ranging from underground gems and experimental shorts to striking documentaries and daring feature films.

 

Formerly known as Obskuur, the festival has always focused on films that push boundaries. We believe cinema should not just entertain, but also provoke, inspire, and spark conversation.

 

With an eclectic official selection comprising over 30 films from across the globe, this year’s festival was a resounding success. Audiences embraced the diverse programming, from the absurd recycling project Dead, Red & Blue, through the terrifying underworld of Giant’s Kettle, to the deadpan hit The Accident.

 

Festival curator Kris De Meester reflected on this year’s edition:

“We were deeply moved by how strongly these films resonated with our audience. From absurdist humor to chilling explorations of the unknown, every screening sparked conversations long after the credits rolled. That’s exactly what we strive for—a festival where audiences aren’t just watching, but feeling, questioning, and engaging with the work.”

 

The Ghent International Film Week is proud to announce the winners of its 2025 awards, as determined by the jury:

 

Best Narrative Feature Film:  

The Accident (Italy) by Giuseppe Garau

 

Best Documentary Feature Film:

Yalla, Baba! (Belgium, Lebanon, Netherlands, Qatar) by Angie Obeid

 

Best Experimental Film:  

Giant's Kettle (Finland) by Markku Hakala, Mari Käki

 

Best Narrative Short Film 

Scenario (Japan) by Kazunori Miura

 

Best Documentary Short Film

In My Body (Netherlands) by Annelien Nijland

 

Best Underground Film: 

Dead, White and Blue (United States) by Mike Davis

 

Best Minimalist Film:

You Can't Find Love (United States) by Tom Bessoir

 

Best Installation Film:  

Becoming (United Kingdom) by Shelley Hopkins

 

Best Animated Film: 

Staircase Stomp by The Clamor (United States) by Aaron Louis

 

Best Music Video:

Tic Tac (Belgium) by David Perreard

 

Best Dance Film:  

Jellymama (Finland) by Hertta Kiiski & Karolina Ginman

 

Best Connecting Cultures Film: 

Knife, Chocolate (Iran) by Hooshmand Varaei

 

Best Super Short Film

Flesh Wish (United Kingdom) by Timothy Benjamin Slessor

 

Best Belgian Film:  

Pluto in Aquarius (Belgium) by Hippolyte Laveix

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OFFICIAL SELECTION

 

Yalla, Baba! (Belgium, Lebanon, Netherlands, Qatar) by Angie Obeid

Staircase Stomp by The Clamor  (United States) by Aaron Louis

Dead, White and Blue (United States) by Mike Davis

You Can't Find Love (United States, United States) by Tom Bessoir

. (United States) by Derrick Schultz

Giant's Kettle (Finland) by Markku Hakala, Mari Käki

Passage (Serbia) by Filip Markovinović

Searching for the 5th Direction (Switzerland) by Matthias Schüpbach

Marry, Fuck, Kill (United States) by Ian Berry

Tic Tac (Belgium) by David Perreard

Pluto in Aquarius (Belgium) by Hippolyte Laveix

Filicide (France) by Christophe Ideal

After Dark (Norway) by Iain Forbes

Becoming (United Kingdom) by Shelley Hopkins

Roses (United States) by ANDi LAND

Jellymama (Finland) by Hertta Kiiski & Karolina Ginman

Dreamland (United States) by Maxfield Biggs and Tehya Jennett

Scenario (Japan) by Kazunori Miura

In My Body (Netherlands) by Annelien Nijland

The Accident (Italy) by Giuseppe Garau

Sphere Supreme (Belgium) by Hasan Pastaci

A Robot of Me (Belgium) by Ron Chiers

Eva (Germany) by Laura Elisabeth Staab

Flesh Wish (United Kingdom) by Timothy Benjamin Slessor

Marija Wants To Become A Woman (Serbia) by Jovan Pantovic

Home (Belgium) by Hanne Schillemans, Ralph Timmermans

We Who Remain (Norway) by Sindre Mangen Haram

Sio Roho Yangu - Not My Soul (United States) by Joe LoBianco

Poquinca: The Dreamstate Livestream (United States) by Sasha Gransjean

Knife, Chocolate (Iran, Islamic Republic of) by Hooshmand Varaei

Tadasana (Canada) by Erin Audley

Tangle (Belgium) by Carla Hoogewijs, Frank Stevens

Higher Grounds (United States) by Joe Kramer