Ghent Viewpoint Documentary Film Festival

Overview

The Filmplaneet in Ghent founded the Ghent Viewpoint Documentary Film Festival in 1994, to focus explicitly on documentary films. During its original nine year run, the festival has become a respected international festival and is renowned for its strong, qualitative and independent film selection. Highlights were Frederic Wiseman's Domestic Violence, which had it’s World Premiere at the Venice Film Festival, and the Focus dedicated to the work of American documentary filmmaker Alan Berliner, who presented his latest film personally. In association with SMAK it also hosted Harmony Korine photo series ‘Milk Chicken Review’ and ‘Coke Head Swingers’ and the video installation ‘The Diary of Anna Frank. Part II’. The festival has hosted many noteworthy filmmakers: Kim Longinotto, Michael Glawogger, Hans Van den Broeck, Monteith McCollum, Gabriel Noble, Deborah Hoffmann, Frances Reid, Thom Vander Beken. Unfortunately, in its original incarnation, the festival came to an end in 2003. Inspired by that original movement, the revived Ghent Viewpoint Documentary Film Festival, now in it’s 18th edition, will continue to emphasize lesser known, vanguard documentary works and further its tradition of galvanizing budding talent. Most importantly, the Ghent Viewpoint Documentary Film Festival will create a space for unique visionaries and voices. True to its history, the festival will screen films of both novices and veterans—with medium and low budgets—from all over the globe. The festival’s goal is to create a warm, open atmosphere in which filmmakers, fans, critics, and producers can watch the films of emerging talents, explore new cinematic techniques and styles, and award cinematic excellence. The Ghent Viewpoint Documentary Film Festival will create an intimate atmosphere in which to revel in the beauty and wonder of the cinema with like-minded cineastes from all over the globe. The Ghent Viewpoint Documentary Film Festival will take place at Studio Skoop, the leading arthouse cinema in Ghent, Belgium in April 2027. Viewpoint Documentary Film Festival Ghent is - A Cannes Film Week© qualifying film festival - An IMDB qualifying film festival - Named as one of the Top 50 Film Festivals worldwide by Final Cut Magazine. PROUD PARTNER OF THE BIGGER SCREEN Ghent Viewpoint Documentary Film Festival is supported by The Bigger Screen, an organization that aims to make film as an art form more accessible and more inclusive. A short overview of their projects: - SUPPORTING FILM FESTIVALS: Film festivals are not only a place to share films, but they are a safe haven for film makers to connect, share, and learn. The Bigger Screens supports and engages with over 25 respected international film festivals from mainstays like the 61st Ann Arbor Film Festival and the Brussels Independent Film Festival to emerging events such as the Venice Film Week and The Producer’s Night Los Angeles. These events bring filmmakers and filmgoers together, providing that place to connect and engage in a comfortable setting, away from Hollywood glitz and glamour. - CONNECTING CULTURES PROGRAM: Each year, The Bigger Screen selects at least ten countries and grants filmmakers from those areas the ability to submit their work free of charge to partner festivals all over the world. This opens the door of film exposure to those who may not otherwise be able to enter. As we support inclusivity and shareable films, this program exemplifies our mission. Check out https://www.connectingculturesprogram.com to see if your country is included in this year’s program and submit your work for free. - LOCAL FILMMAKERS PROGRAM: We understand that the cost of making a film can be taxing, so to encourage rising talent, we waive the festival submission fee to local talent. With numerous worldwide locations for festivals, this provides great opportunity for filmmakers around the world to enter the international film scene. This opportunity opens the world of film. Think global, act local, right? - INCLUSIVE AUDIENCE PROGRAM: Our screenings are always low or even free of charge to provide opportunity for interested film goers to view up and coming, challenging, and inspiring pieces of art, encouraging students, seniors, and those in underprivileged environments to share the experience of film and cinema. We welcome film goers, regardless of income and financial status. - THE TARKOVSKI GRANT: All selected filmmakers will receive The Tarkovski Grant, a film festival submission fee waiver package with an average value of about $500. This not only saves you a lot of money, but it also recognizes your work as something to watch for during the selection procedure, making a selection with another partner film festival more likely - but of course, never guaranteed. The Tarkovski Grant supports hundreds of filmmakers each year in their challenging journeys as independent filmmakers, by promoting existing films, no matter the genre, style or length.

Last updated Sep 6, 2026

Legitimacy Analysis

Trust Signals

Festival Details

FilmFreeway communityGold festival

• Filmmaker

  Although I couldn’t attend in person, the festival was amazing in its communication — sharing everything a filmmaker could possibly want to know, especially when you can’t be there yourself. I really appreciated the acknowledgement and the consistent updates throughout the event. The programming was stellar, thoughtful, and beautifully curated. A fantastic experience all around.

• Filmmaker

  Great festival. thank you for having us!

• Filmmaker

  A wonderful experience at the Ghent Viewpoint Documentary Film Festival. Warm welcome, great exchanges with the audience. Thank you for selecting my film and for the award!

• Filmmaker

  I am very honored by the Official Selection of 'Charlotte Salomon's Letter' for its world premiere streaming until May 12, through Viewpoint. The festival's historical basis carry on to its current importance and prestige are evident in the artful selection of films, and venues chosen to bring people together for conversation and reflection. The festival director and team support independent filmmakers in many ways extending far beyond the festival itself. Thank you!

• Filmmaker

  We would like to express our deepest appreciation to the Ghent Viewpoint Documentary Film Festival team for selecting Matahari — The Sun of Tiganderket for the Streaming Selection at the 2026 edition of the festival, and for the opportunity to share the film with audiences worldwide through your online platform. We are truly honored to be chosen as the Audience Choice Award winner. This recognition is especially meaningful to us, as it reflects the connection the film has made with viewers across different backgrounds. We hope the festival continues to grow and to champion independent documentaries, particularly those that bring forward culturally significant and timely stories, and that this recognition allows the film to reach even wider audiences while sparking reflection, conversation, and inspiration.

FilmFreeway reviews are filmmaker opinions, not our score. Cross-check red flags before paying fees.

Related Festivals in Belgium