01.21.2025

An exceptional year for Belgian cinema at the 2025 Berlinale!

The 75th edition of the Berlinale, held from February 13 to 23, 2025, in Berlin, was a significant moment for French-speaking Belgian cinema, with an official competition entry and a special mention for We believe you by Charlotte Devillers and Arnaud Dufeys..

A special mention was awarded to the film We believe you, the first feature by Arnaud Dufeys and Charlotte Devillers, produced by Makintosh Films as part of the Centre du Cinéma’s call for light productions. Presented in the Perspectives section, dedicated to debut works, this poignant drama moved the jury with the strength of its message and the powerful performance by Myriem Akheddiou. The film follows Alice, a mother engaged in a legal battle to protect her children from their father, in an intense confrontation with the justice system.

For the first time in about twenty years, a French-speaking Belgian film made it to the Berlinale’s Official Competition: Reflection in a Dead Diamond, the fourth feature by the duo Hélène Cattet and Bruno Forzani, produced by Kozak Films with the support of the Centre du Cinéma de la Fédération Wallonie Bruxelles. This melancholic and intriguing thriller delves into the world of John D., a septuagenarian haunted by his past as a spy on the Riviera in the 1960s. Featuring an international cast including Fabio Testi, Yannick Renier, Koen De Bouw, and Maria de Medeiros, the film captivated audiences with its meticulous aesthetics and hypnotic storytelling.

Let us also salute the selection of two Belgian French-language short films presented in the Generation section, both produced by the company Ozù Productions!
Autokar by Sylwia Szkiladz won The Special Prize of the International Jury for the Best Short Film in the Génération Kplus category dedicated to children, and The Mud Under My Window by Violette Delvoye was selected in the Generation 14plus section, focused on teenagers.

Finally, let us highlight the selection of several coproductions supported by the Centre du Cinéma: Our Wildest Days by Vassilis 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).

These accolades reflect the vitality and diversity of Belgian cinematic creation, which continues to shine on the international stage, affirming the Berlinale as an essential showcase for both emerging and established Belgian talent.