People visit the Brussels area all the time, especially business people, due to its status as a political metropolis with the headquarters of the EU. You’re also not too far away from Ypres which is steeped in history and is the graveyard for many brave soldiers from both world wars.
While it doesn’t quite rival Cannes, Brussels also hosts three different film festivals every year, the Brussels Film Festival, Brussels International Independent Film Festival and Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival. If you’re a big film fan then why not head to the Belgian capital for your next holiday. It will give you the chance to do all the fun tourist things like museums and sightseeing, but you’ll also be able to take in a few movies and maybe even spot a few celebrities. Remember the importance of your European health cover by renewing your EHIC and taking out a travel insurance policy.
Plan Ahead
Sadly, this isn’t going to be achievable as a last minute booking. Anywhere that hosts a film festival are used to being very busy during those periods which means the travel and hotel side of things can sell out very quickly. Stay ahead of the curve and book as far ahead as you can. Ideally you’ll want to stay just outside of the centre of Brussels, as that is where it gets really busy and you’ll probably prefer a bit of peace and quiet of a night time. But also be prepared for the travel from your hotel to the festival, and the time it will take as you don’t want to miss anything.
Showings
Naturally, it’s free to hang around in the Brussels area, and enjoy the many bars are restaurants. Unless you book way in advance it can be tricky to get hold of tickets to any of the film screenings. Many professionals within the industry are usually the first to get their hands on the tickets, but all hope is not lost. Don’t be afraid to be sociable and get talking to people in the bars and pubs, as you could well end up chatting to somebody involved in the industry, who usually have more tickets than they know what to do with. In some cases you may see people dressed in costumes outside the movie theatres with signs declaring what films they’d like to see, and sometimes their dreams come true.
Take Your Best Friend
Film festivals can be very busy occasions with lots of hustle and bustle and it can be very easy to wind up in an environment full of strangers where you don’t know anybody, and that can be a little intimidating. You will never have a dull moment if you take along your best friend, as in a room full of strangers you’ll never be short of somebody to talk to. You and your friend can even dare each other to strike up a conversation with a huge movie star and who knows where it could lead, as in a room full of strangers you’ll never be short of somebody to talk to. You and your friend can even dare each other to strike up a conversation with a huge movie star and who knows where it could lead. You and your friend are bound to have the adventure of a lifetime at the Brussels Film Festivals.
