FLANDERS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL-GHENT's Film Bio
Website
filmfestival.be
Influences
Directors
The Kubrick Exhibition (Oct. 4, 2006 - January 2007)
Awards
- The JOSEPH PLATEAU LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
- The WORLD SOUNDTRACK AWARDS
- The CANVAS AUDIENCE AWARDS
Festivals
FLANDERS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL-GHENT (since January 1974-)
FLANDERS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL-GHENT's Interests
General
Mission statement:
The Ghent International Film Festival — Where music sets the tone
The Ghent Film Festival (Flanders International Film Festival-Ghent) was established in 1974 as a students' film festival, and has since developed into one of Europe's most prominent film events.
Every year in October, the festival presents some 120 features and 50 shorts from all across the world. A range of different film programs are showcased, attracting over 100,000 viewers each year.
The International Federation of Film Producers Associations (IFFPA) recognises this festival as a competitive festival primarily geared towards the 'impact of music on film'. There are 4 awards up for grabs and around 15 entrants.
With its focus on film music, the Ghent Film Festival has its own unique place in international festivals. Every year, the festival organises film music concerts, giving composers of film scores the platform they deserve.
Composers such as Ennio Morricone, Gabriel Yared, Elmer Bernstein, Michael Kamen, Patrick Doyle, Howard Shore, Georges Delerue, Hans Zimmer, Maurice Jarre, Craig Armstrong, Harry-Gregson Williams, Michael Danna, Gustavo Santaolalla are some of the many film music legends who have already taken the stage at Ghent.
Since 2001, the Ghent Film Festival has also organised the WORLD SOUNDTRACK AWARDS, the most prestigious soundtrack awards in the world. Each year, the best soundtrack composers are honoured and receive international recognition for their work. This pioneering role has certainly had an impact.
Ghent has grown into a meeting point for established and up-and-coming musical talent and ever greater numbers of festivals play soundtracks from the wings. Since 2004, even the European Film Academy – encouraged by the Ghent Film Festival - has honoured the best European soundtrack composers.
Trade paper 'Variety' placed the festival in it's "Top 50 must attend festivals of the world because of this focus on (film)music".
American financial news paper 'The Wall Street Journal' called the festival "one of the five European Film Festivals with character!"
Yet there is more to the Ghent Film Festival than just soundtracks alone. Every year, numerous international guests from the world of film flock to Ghent to present their films to the general public.
Over the past years, the festival has welcomed filmmakers such as Kathleen Turner, Viggo Mortensen, David Cronenberg, Mike Leigh, François Ozon, Jeanne Moreau, Gina Lollobrigida, Tom Tykwer, Lord Richard Attenborough, Todd Haynes, Sir Peter Ustinov, Walter Hill, Danny Glover, Sidney Pollack, Jane Birkin, Luc Besson, Mike Figgis, Morgan Freeman, Faith Akin, Andy Garcia, Melanie Griffith, Robert Altman, Juliette Binoche, Sandra Bullock, Brad Pitt, Ken Loach and Michael Haneke.
In addition to the screenings, the Ghent Film Festival also organises film-related exhibitions. Thus the prestigious Stanley Kubrick exhibition, which was previously shown in Berlin, Melbourne and Frankfurt-am-Main, was brought to Ghent before other world cities such as Rome, Paris and London.
Film fanatics have also been able to see exhibitions of film maker Peter Greenaway, animation film maker Raoul Servais, and the large exhibition Cités-Cinés with over 450,000 visitors.
The Ghent Film Festival will continue to keep a close watch on international film developments in order to organise a festival that is as captivating as possible. To this end, a fresh, young team works hard day after day.
"With its focus on both film and music, the Flanders International Film Festival - Ghent occupies its own unique place in the international festival landscape. For over two decades now, we have been holding our competition on "the impact of music on film", and every year sees increasing popularity of the film music concerts and great anticipation as to the winner of the 'World Soundtrack Awards' ".
(WSA).
Music
International Competition "The impact of music on film" :
- 'Georges Delerue Award for Best Music'
The World Soundtrack Academy honours a soundtrack or even a lifework and was founded in 2001 by the Flanders International Film Festival, spurred on by several renowned composers.
Its mission was to co-ordinate the educational, cultural and professional aspects linked to film music. It organises workshops, seminars, master classes, etc. Composers and people working in film music business can join the Academy on the recommendation of two members or once they have been nominated for an Award.
The World Soundtrack Awards are allocated by the voting-members in two voting rounds, organised by PricewaterhouseCoopers.
The statuette is based on a sinewave. This is a sound wave as it is represented on a computer screen. We cut down the sinewave to one single stylised undulation. By then looping a sequence of 5 such undulations (the horizontal lines of a stave) we created a crown.
A soundtrack fills the space of a theatre and is not subject to gravity : it floats in the air. That is why the sinewave is captured in an abstract and transparent space. The dark base is a reference to bakelite; the old much-preferred material for the widespread transistor radio.
The World Soundtrack Awards shall be distributed annually to mark and celebrate outstanding achievements in scoring music for motion pictures, and to honor other achievements as provided for in the rules and approved by the advisory board of the organizing body, the World Soundtrack Academy. The awards shall be presented at an annual ceremony. Awards in the form of trophies shall be given annually for the following achievements:
- 'Soundtrack Composer of the Year'
- 'Best Original Soundtrack of the Year - Orchestral'
- 'Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film'
- 'Discovery of the Year' (emerging film composing talent)
- 'Public Choice Award' (audiences from around the world will be asked to vote for)
SPECIAL AWARDS:
- 'Lifetime Achievement Award'
- 'Major Contribution to the Art of Film Music and Sound'
i.e. to special achievements such as the most creative use of existing material in a soundtrack, sound editing, etc. These awards shall be given at such times as in the judgment of the Board of the WSA there are deserving recipients, but are not necessarily given each year.
FLANDERS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL-GHENT's Blurbs
About me:
"...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').
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)!
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').
Who I'd like to meet: The precursor of the movie, more accurately the precursor of the Animation film:
the genius JOSEPH PLATEAU
JOSEPH Antoine Ferdinand PLATEAU
[b. Brussels, October 14, 1801 - d. Ghent, September 15, 1883] was a Belgian physicist and mathematician best known for PLATEAU's problem on surfaces of minimal area.
Born in Brussels, he studied at the University of Liege, where he graduated as a doctor of physical and mathematical sciences in 1829. In 1835, he was appointed Professor of experimental physics in Ghent University.
In 1836, PLATEAU invented an early stroboscopic device, the "phenakistiscope".
It consisted of two disks, one with small equidistant radial windows, through which the viewer could look, and another containing a sequence of images. When the two disks rotated at the correct speed, the synchronization of the windows and the images created an animated effect. The projection of stroboscopic photographs, creating the illusion of motion, eventually led to the development of cinema.
PLATEAU also studied the phenomena of capillary action and surface tension (Statique exp..rimentale et th..orique des liquides soumis aux seules forces mol..culaires, 1873). The mathematical problem of existence of a minimal surface with a given boundary is named for him. He conducted extensive studies of soap films and formulated PLATEAU's laws which describe the structures formed by such films in foams.
Fascinated by the persistence of luminous impressions on the retina, he performed an experiment in which he gazed directly into the sun for 25 seconds. Consequently, he lost his eyesight later in his life. He died in Ghent, 81 years old.
(Or click HERE to discover Alain Delon's MySpace Site officiel for yourself).
the MARC HERREMANS Foundation
____________________
"Ghent, it's a fascinating city!"
(Carl Craig in: 'Wonen 09/', Oct. 2006)
GHENT...... for dummies :))
- The region of Ghent was inhabited in Celtic times. It sits at the junction of the Leie and Scheldt rivers. The name Ghent comes from the Celtic word 'ganda' which means converging of e.g. two rivers. There are no written records of the Roman period but archeological research confirms that the region of Ghent was further inhabited.
- When the Franks invaded the Roman territories (from the end of the 4th century and well into the 5th century) they brought their language with them and Ghent became a region where Celtic and Latin were replaced by (ancient) Dutch.
- From the 7th century on, Ghent had two important abbeys Sint-Pieters (625-650) and Sint-Baafs (650). The city grew from several nuclei, the abbeys and a commercial centre. Around 800, the city must have been important enough for Louis the Pious, son of Charlemagne, to appoint Einhard as abbot of both abbeys. Einhard was the biographer of Charlemagne, Charles the Great.
- Ghent was once the site of armed battles by its townsfolk, who raged against heavy taxes and restricted civil liberties. It's grey and somewhat begrimed - not picturesque like Bruges, but ultimately more realistic. Like Bruges, the town has a belfry (belfort) well worth climbing and, at the Sint-Baafskathedral, a must-see masterpiece by Jan van Eyck - "Adoration of the Mystic Lamb".
- Outside Italy, Ghent was the biggest city in Europe after Paris until the 13th century; it was bigger than London, Cologne or Moscow. Within the city walls lived up to 65.000 people. Today, the center of the city still has several large towers, the belfry and the towers of the Cathedral and Sint-Niklaas Church are just a few examples of what could be called the 'Manhattan of the Middle Ages'.
- Ghent was a city where the wool-industry originally established at Bruges (Brugge) created the first European industrialized zone in the High Middle Ages; the mercantile zone was so highly-developed that wool had to be imported from England. This was one of the reasons for Flanders' good relationship with England.
- Ghent was the birthplace of Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain, CHARLES V (1500), and of JOHN OF GAUNT (1340), Duke of Lancaster.
- Ghent was also the site of the signing of the 'TREATY OF GHENT' (December 1814) which formally ended the War of 1812 between Britain and the United States of America. (See Blog).
- Many splendid historical buildings bear witness to the prosperity of the Middle Ages. Artists such as the Van Eyck brothers settled in Ghent. Much of the city's medieval architecture remains intact and is remarkably well preserved and restored. Its center is the largest carfree area in Belgium. Interesting highlights are the Saint Bavo Cathedral with the Ghent Altarpiece, the belfry, the Gravensteen castle, and the splendid architecture along the old Graslei harbour. Highlights of modern architecture are the University buildings (the "Boekentoren" or Book Tower) by Henry Van de Velde.
- Ghent is host to some big cultural events such as 'the Ghent Festivities' ('Gentse Feesten'; the biggest culturel festival in Europe!), 'I Love Techno', 'Flanders International Film Festival Ghent' and 'Festival van Vlaanderen'. Night bus services (weekends only) are free of charge.
- Ghent today, with its 50,000 students, is a true seat of learning, which stands surety for the development of modern, forward-looking ideas among its inhabitants.
- Ghent is the second largest city in Flanders and is the capital of the Province of East Flanders.
All of which goes to make Ghent a living .. and lively .. city.!
Some famous people who were born - or lived - in Ghent:
Leo BAEKELAND, inventor
Lieven BAUWENS, industrialist
Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor
Georges SARTON, historian
Corneille HEYMANS, Nobel Prize Medicine
Pierre DE GEYTER, composer
Adolphe QUETELET, mathematician & astronomer
Joseph GUISLAIN, psychiatrist
Johan DAISNE, author
Pedro DE GANTE, missionary
EINHARD, biographer
Count Jacques ROGGE, IOC-chairman
Knight Jan HOET, art expert
Victor HORTA, architect
Maurice MAETERLINCK, Nobel Prize Literature
Richard MINNE, poet & writer
Baron Gerard MORTIER, opera-intendant
Viscount Frank DE WINNE, astronaut
Hugo CLAUS, poet, painter & author
Joseph PLATEAU, physicist & mathematician
Jacob VAN ARTEVELDE
Frits VAN DEN BERGHE, painter
Knight Marc SLEEN, comic artist
Hugo VAN DER GOES, painter
HALLO Hartelijk dank voor het toevoegen veel succes kijk met blijdschap naar het nieuwe festival uit groetjes andré oyen http://ansiel. cinebelblogs. be
You'll see the weekly filmprogram of Kinepolis TV with a report on the visit of Glen Hansard en Marketa Irglova to the Ghent Film Festival. The report lasts about twelve minutes, contains a lot of music of the duo that won the Oscar for best song for their film 'Once' and also an interview with the adoring couple.
