

An exceptional year for Belgian cinema at the 2025 Berlinale!
For the first time in 18 years, a French-speaking Belgian film has made it into the official Competition at the prestigious Berlinale, marking a historic moment for Belgian cinema. Notably, four majority French-speaking Belgian films - two feature-length and two short films - will be showcased at the 75th edition of the festival, taking place from February 13 to 23, 2025 in Berlin.
Reflection in a Dead Diamond, the fourth feature film by the duo Hélène Cattet and Bruno Forzani - produced by Kozak Films with the support of the Wallonia Brussels Federation Film Fund - will be presented in the official Competition! Cattet and Forzani return with an internationally cast ensemble including Fabio Testi, Yannick Renier, Koen De Bouw, and Maria de Medeiros. The film delves into the melancholic and intriguing world of John D., a septuagenarian confronted with his spy past on the 1960s Riviera. When his neighbor mysteriously disappears, demons from his past resurface, intertwining memories with present threats.
The second Belgian feature in the Berlin selection is We Believe You, the debut feature by Arnaud Dufeys and Charlotte Devillers, produced by Makintosh Films under the appel à productions légères from the Film Fund. The film will premiere in the new Perspectives section, dedicated to debut works. This poignant drama follows Alice (Myriem Akheddiou), a mother entangled in a legal battle to protect her children from their father. Facing the judge, she has no room for error.
Also deserving recognition are two French-speaking Belgian short films selected in the Generation section, both produced by Ozù Productions! Sylwia Szkiladz's Autokar will be presented in the Generation Kplus section for children, while Violette Delvoye's Beneath My Window, the Mud is selected for Generation 14plus, focusing on teenagers.
Let's also highlight the selection of several co-productions supported by the Centre du Cinéma: Our Wildest Days by Vasilis Kekatos (Hélicotronc, Generation 14plus), Têtes Brûlées by Maja Ajmia Yde Zellama (10.80 Films, Generation 14plus), and Scars of a Putsch by Nathalie Borgers (Novak prod, Forum Special).
The Berlinale remains a pivotal event for global cinema, providing invaluable visibility for films and their creators. This edition stands out with a new leadership team at the helm of the event. This exceptional year for Belgian cinema underscores its dynamism and international presence, reaffirming the vitality and diversity of Belgian creativity, spanning from established directors' works to emerging talents!
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