This year, the International Short Film Festival Leuven celebrates its 15th anniversary. A crystal wedding sure enough for this festival dedicated to a type of film which has had a hard time in the commercial distribution scene, which is entirely devoted to the feature film. Even though this is still the case to a certain degree, much has changed in the last 15 years. The short film is more spread, more known and most importantly more appreciated by a broad audience. Reasons for this include the technological evolutions – because of their limited duration, short films fit the internet and the many video platforms – but also the quality and quantity of the Flemish short film production, which is remarkable.
Every year in December, Leuven is the place to be as the showcase of (new) film talent; a round-up of the best recent live-action films, animated films, music videos, non-narrative video works, viral videos, short films for children and so much more. Every possible genre gets a place in this colourful program. 250 films from 25 different countries and selected from thousands of entries are brought together on a silver platter.
STAGE FOR FILM TALENT SINCE 1995
The faithful ISFFL visitor will not be surprised by the upsurge in the Flemish film world. Many directors who today lift the Flemish feature film to unseen heights already introduced high-quality shorts years ago at the short film festival. The rise and growth of the International Short Film Festival Leuven parallels that of this golden generation of film makers. The latter’s exceptional talent has been a leg up for the festival. On the other hand, the festival keeps on doing everything possible to give new film talent the deserved promotion, opportunities and support. Meanwhile, the new levy of film makers is raring. Curious? Do not hesitate to come and visit Leuven for again another showcase.
The ISFFL editorial staff provided a series of clarifying files, interviews and reports; articles that create a background to the elaborate ISFFL program. A number of previous Wildcard winners and young promising Flemish film directors were interrogated: Nathalie Teirlinck, Pim Algoed and Hans Van Nuffel. Other articles concern the popularity of stop-motion animation, an interview with the Israeli musician/video artist Kutiman, a Guide to the land of short film and so much more.
The ISFFL and Telenet launch a digital offer of short films. More than 70 Flemish short films, a "best of the best" from the 15 editions of the festival, will be available on demand. The project starts at November 25 and runs until the summer of 2010.
Central to the program is the Flemish and European short film competition; two categories consisting of brand new work (see below). In addition to the competition, ISFFL also presents some specials. This year, the American short film and the compilation film, a short film compilation disguised as a feature film also known as 'anthology', are put in the spotligh t. New York I Love You, which will premier in Belgium at the ISFFL, is one of them. Like every year, Short films for Kids are present, but this year more than ever: 5 compilations of funny animated films for kids from 3 to 12 years old. There are also animated films for adults on the menu, in the well-known Animation Nations programs. Because of the 15th anniversary you can visit ISFFL Reloaded: a "best of the best" of the European short film. The Labo contains programs of non-narrative video work and visual gimmick, to which the expo Mashup The Tube, entirely devoted to viral mashups and remixes, is linked.
The International Short Film Festival Leuven presents a selection of mashups and remixes, cooperative projects, installations, live performance and an online tool to create your own mashup.
The ISFFL functions as a big national and international talent scouting and therefore, the Flemish and European competition occupy a prominent place. An overview of all awards that will be granted (together approximately 225,000 (!) euros) at the festival edition 2009.
FESTIVAL NEWS - SHORT FILM FESTIVAL LEUVEN WINNERS 2009
‘C’est dimanche’ of French film maker Samir Guesni received the Jury Award of the European Short Film Competition of the International Short Film Festival Leuven. The CANVAS Audience Award in this competition went to Romanian Gabriel Sirbu’s ‘Life’s hard’. The festival’s fifteenth edition welcomed over 8,000 visitors, a bit more than last year.
In the Flemish Short Film Competition, the Jury proclaimed Marc James Roels’ ‘A Gentle Creature’ the winner. The audience voted for Philippe Verkinderen’s ‘A Gentle Push’ as their favorite. The award for the Best Debut (student prize) went to ‘Siemiany’ of Philip James McGoldrick. Koen De Koninck won the competition for Short Animated Films with his film ‘Opgejut’. During the week, Joe Vanhoutteghem’s ‘Blonde Fire’ (The Hickey Underworld) received the SABAM Award, while Pim Algoed’s ‘How to Enrich Yourself by Driving Women into Emotional and Financial Bankruptcy’ won the Humo Award.
As every year, the Flanders Audio-visual Fund awarded Wildcards to newly graduated film makers who made the best graduating project. Within the category of fiction, Gilles Coulier ('Iceland') and Gust Van den Berghe ('En waar de sterre bleef stille staan') each received 60,000 euros to realize a new project, coached by a professional. In the category of documentary, Eva Küpper ('What’s in an Name') and Jason Boënne ('The Small Army of the Silver Mountain') each received 40,000 euros. Pim Algoed’s short film that won the Humo-award was, for example, the result of such a Wildcard.
During the short film festival, the big but cosy STUKcafé will be transformed into the ISFFL Festival café: the meeting place par excellence, the place to be for a fresh beer or a warm coffee before or after the performances. For some time now, STUKcafé also serves pastas and soup. In the evening, the café functions as hall of projection (for the screening of the video clip competition), party room and stage for a series of promising bands.
The short film DVD label of ISFFL, Selected Shorts, exists 5 years already and has released 10 compilations that together contain more than 100 titles of short films. The latest compilation, Selected Shorts 9, was released at the end of September and consists of 11 short film milestones of last year, among which the winners of the ISFFL competition.
This year, the ISFFL also is the host of some organizations that, in cooperation with the festival, organize professional activities. Richard Jobson's (UK) masterclass, organized by the Screenwriters guild is one of them. Other activities include the festival brunch, a meetingplace for AV professionals from home and abroad.
The festival celebrates its 15th anniversary. What started as a hastily organized short film evening soon became Flanders' biggest short film festival. On the permanent ISFFL website, you can find annual reports - in text and images - of the past 14 editions.
The ISFFL and Telenet launch a digital offer of short films. More than 70 Flemish short films, a "best of the best" from the 15 editions of the festival, will be available on demand. The project starts at November 25 and runs until the summer of 2010.
Central to the program is the 
