Ghent cinema has a particularly good reason to tempt you out this October. Film Fest Gent’s 53rd edition runs until 18 October, leaving another week to discover international films, Belgian talent and screenings worth building an evening around.
Look beyond the opening night
The festival began on 7 October and its announced programme includes more than 100 feature films, alongside shorts, documentaries and VR projects. The opening film was Coward, directed by Lukas Dhont; Michaël R. Roskam’s Le Faux Soir is the closing title.
An opening gala attracts attention, but a festival rewards curiosity throughout its run. For a first visit, try pairing one familiar name with a film you might otherwise overlook, rather than attempting to fit the entire programme into a single day.
Choose an evening with room to breathe
Screenings take place across Ghent, with festival box offices at Kinepolis, Studio Skoop, Sphinx and KASK cinema. Check the venue attached to each screening before booking: a festival itinerary is not always contained within one building.
Leave time between films for the journey and a meal. Also check the original language and subtitle information in the individual listing, especially if you are choosing a film with friends who do not speak Dutch.
Rediscover a director
The 2026 Classics programme includes work by Éric Rohmer. That gives the festival another useful entry point: a chance to revisit a filmmaker in a cinema rather than simply work through the newest releases.
Our suggestion is to pick a screening that gives you something to discuss afterwards. A quietly observed story, a documentary or an unfamiliar national cinema can make a more memorable evening than a packed schedule.
Book the screening, then plan the rest
Tickets are available through the festival website. Remaining seats may be sold at the relevant venue on the day, but the festival’s box-office information makes clear that this depends on availability.
Choose your screening first, then arrange dinner or a drink nearby. With the final week still ahead, there is time to make the visit feel considered rather than hurried.
Practical information
When: 7–18 October 2026
Where: Multiple venues in Ghent
Tickets: Book individual screenings through the official programme; availability varies
Further information
More film & cinema from Together
Film Fest Gent — 2026 programme announcement
