Enormous monsters, strange creatures and talent from all over the world have taken over Brussels Expo: the BIFFF is back, with more bite than ever until 20 April.
Since its arrival at Heysel in 2022, the BIFFF (Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival) has found the stage it deserves. The Auditorium 2000 and its 1,800 seats provide a large-format backdrop for this extraordinary event. The result: 50,000 visitors every year over the 12 days of the festival, and an ever-increasing attendance. This year, the festival kicked off on 8 April and will continue until the 20th.
It’s also fair to say that Brussels loves the BIFFF, and that feeling is mutual. From Seoul to Austin, the name is a reference. ‘Even on the other side of the world, people recognise our brand’, says Jonathan Lenaerts, head of communications. A global influence, born in Brussels, which says a lot about the vitality of genre cinema and the place of culture in Brussels' DNA.
Big screens... and much more
For its 43rd edition, the BIFFF is going all out: over 100 films, 5 world premieres, and some XXL guests. Among them is Danny Boyle, best known for directing Slumdog Millionaire, back 30 years after his first appearance, this time with an Oscar and worldwide success. Alongside him will be Asif Kapadia, the award-winning director of must-see documentaries such as the one about singer Amy Winehouse.
But the BIFFF is also about spirit. Masterclasses, exhibitions, make-up competitions, a vampire ball... every corner of Palais 10 becomes a playground, an invitation to dive into the imaginary. All in a typically Brussels atmosphere, warm, quirky and generous: ‘what you experience here, you won’t find anywhere else’, assures Jonathan.
And what about companies?
Whether you're a film buff or not, the BIFFF opens doors, especially for companies, with tailor-made packages: team evenings, targeted visibility, tax shelter... During the 2025 event, Beci took its members on board for an exclusive screening of ‘The Surfer’ starring Nicolas Cage. ‘We tailor our collaborations with companies to meet their needs,’ explains the press officer.
Supporting the BIFFF also means investing in an event with a strong economic impact for the Region: ‘For every euro invested, the city sees a threefold return in terms of spin-offs’, he points out. Enough to make you want to mix thrills, business and Brussels pride... at 24 frames per second.
Beci regularly invites its community to cultural events! Last time, members were invited to discover the VIP spaces at Forest National, with the added bonus of a special “back to 80s” concert! Read the article here!