Brussels’ cultural season is shaping up to be particularly film-centric. From September 4 to 12, 2026, the Brussels International Film Festival (BRIFF) will once again take over several of the capital’s iconic venues for nine days of screenings, meet-and-greets, and festive events. And the first announcement already sets the tone: the festival will open with one of the year’s most talked-about films.
A fall season dedicated to great cinema
Every year, BRIFF transforms Brussels into a veritable playground for lovers of the seventh art. For this ninth edition, the festival once again promises a clever mix of previews, competitions, international discoveries, and Belgian cinema.
The festivities will take place primarily at the UGC De Brouckère, the Cinéma Palace, and the Cinéma Galeries, which have become the festival’s headquarters over the years. True to its DNA, BRIFF aims to bring together both discerning film buffs and the general public through an eclectic and accessible program. Free outdoor screenings at Mont des Arts, as well as a festive village set up on Place De Brouckère, will also liven up the city center throughout the event.
A Cannes sensation to kick off the festivities
The festival will kick off on September 4 with *Notre Salut*, the new feature film by Belgian director Emmanuel Marre. Winner of the Best Screenplay Award at the last Cannes Film Festival and already praised by parts of the international press, the film stands out as one of the most anticipated releases of this fall’s film season.
Following *Rien à foutre*, which premiered at Cannes in 2021, Emmanuel Marre returns with an ambitious epic that blends grand history with personal narrative. The film * * follows Henri Marre in 1940s France, as the Vichy regime gradually takes hold. The cast features Swann Arlaud and Sandrine Blancke in the lead roles.
The icing on the cake: the film’s cast and crew will be in attendance at the opening screenings held at the Palace and the UGC De Brouckère.
A festival that brings Brussels to life for nine days
While the full program has not yet been unveiled, BRIFF is already promising what has made it a success for several years: prestigious guests, meet-and-greets with film crews, international and Belgian competitions, as well as a host of events designed to bring cinema to life beyond the movie theaters.
The event has established itself as one of the capital’s major cultural highlights, capable of attracting both art-house film enthusiasts and fans of blockbuster hits. For nine days, Brussels will come alive with screenings, discussions, and new discoveries, in an atmosphere brimming with energy.
All that’s left to do is wait for the full program to be revealed—which is sure to hold plenty of wonderful surprises!
