During the Flanders Arts Institute’s Visitors Programme, we would like to take the time to reflect on the evolving role of film festivals and institutions in supporting artists’ films and to address the challenges faced in artistic film production and distribution.

As artistic production faces increasing pressures, it is more important than ever to ensure that resources are shared in a fair and equitable way. Yet, we see many festivals and institutions struggling to uphold their roles as international platforms for experimental and innovative work.

Who is supporting artistic film production and distribution today, and how? What roles do festivals and institutions play in fostering fairness and equity? How are selection processes structured, and how can they become more open, transparent, and inclusive? What self-organisational models can artists and professionals adopt to sustain their work?

These critical questions will guide the programme and shape a public conversation with international guests and the broader audiovisual arts community in Belgium.

Join the conversation with these international guests:

─ Daniella Shreir
founder and editor of international movie magazine Another Gaze (UK)

─ Katrin Mundt
artistic leader European Media Art Festival in Osnabrück (Germany)

─ Kenza Belarbi
researcher and archivist at Talitha (France)

─ Leonardo Bigazzi
producer and curator at Fondazione In Between Art Film and Lo schermo dell'arte (Italy)

─ Lyse Ishimwe Nsengiyumva
founder and curator of Recognition and programmer for iffr (Rwanda/Belgium)

─ Maryam K. Hedayat
filmmaker and city curator Argos centre for audiovisual arts, and founder of Studio Sarab (Belgium)

─ Tendai Mutambu
independent critic, producer, and curator from New Zealand based between London and Barcelona

─ Wouter Janssen
founder Square Eyes (Austria)

The conversation is moderated by Dmitry Frolov (moving image curator and researcher based in Berlin).

In collaboration with Flanders Arts Institute & Courtisane.