Brussels Short Film Festival

What Brussels Short Film Festival does

The Brussels Short Film Festival (BSFF), also known as Le Festival du Court Métrage de Bruxelles, is an annual international short film festival operated by the Belgian non-profit association asbl Un Soir… Un Grain, founded in 1998. The 29th edition is scheduled for April 22 to May 2, 2026, and operates three competition tracks — International (Oscar-qualifying, 51 films selected from 4,000+ submissions across 28 countries in 2026), National (Belgian films, 41 selected from 370+ submissions), and Next Generation (student filmmakers, 37 films from 14 countries selected from 1,159 submissions) — complemented by curated programs (Comédies, Focus Méditerranée, Musts, Open Air), industry services (CoProMarket, pitching workshops, Short Film Market, accreditation tiers), and youth programming (school screenings, family sessions, Young Jury). The underlying technology is a standard event-management platform with online ticketing via Utick, accreditation workflows, and a 92-page digital catalog; the organization maintains no proprietary AI or technology stack beyond these operational tools. Revenue is generated through professional accreditations (€25 student, €35–€50 regular, €60–€80 premium), festival PASSes and individual ticket sales, film submission fees, and — most materially — a diverse base of public institutional co-funding from the EU Creative MEDIA programme, Loterie Nationale, Région de Bruxelles-Capitale, Ville de Bruxelles, Cocof, VAF, and Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, supplemented by prize sponsorships from SACD, SABAM, PlayRight, Eye-Lite, KGS, and Chocolat Noisette. The organization also operates the Brussels International Film Festival (BRIFF) for feature-length films since June 2018 and the ESFAA audience award network spanning 9+ European countries.

Name

Brussels Short Film Festival

Legal name

Asbl Un Soir… Un Grain

Website

https://bsff.be

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Brussels Short Film Festival (BSFF), run by Belgian non-profit asbl Un Soir… Un Grain since 1998, is an annual Oscar-qualifying international short film festival serving filmmakers, film industry professionals, students, and general audiences across Brussels and 9+ European countries via the ESFAA network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Film Festival Events

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events without Facilities (71132)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture Theaters (7830)

akta.pro primary industry

Film Festivals & Festival Organizers (MPADAKAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Fringe & Experimental Performing Arts (MPAGABAI)

Keywords

• Short film festival
• Film competition screenings
• Film industry networking
• Youth film education
• Cultural cinema events

Headquarters

HQ city

Brussels

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Professional Accreditations: Festival offers Regular (€35-50) and Premium (€60-80) accreditations for film industry professionals, students, and press, providing access to screenings and industry activities.
2. Festival Passes and Tickets: PASSes and individual tickets sold for festival screenings across multiple venues in Brussels.
3. Film Submissions: Filmmakers submit films for competition consideration; the 30th BSFF calls for entries.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Brussels Short Film Festival (BSFF) organizes an annual short film festival in Brussels running competitions (National, International, Next Generation), special programs (Comédies, Focus Méditerranée, Open Air), industry services (accreditation, Brussels CoProMarket, pitching workshops, Short Film Market), and youth programming. It is operated by the non-profit association Asbl Un Soir... Un Grain and produces the Oscar-qualifying International Competition alongside the related Brussels International Film Festival (BRIFF) and the ESFAA European audience award network.

Product overview

The Brussels Short Film Festival (BSFF) is a non-profit film festival organization operated by asbl Un Soir... Un Grain, running annual short film festivals since 1998. The product portfolio centers on the main festival with its three competition tiers (Nationale, Internationale qualifying for Oscars, and Next Generation for students), complemented by special programs (Comédies, Focus Méditerranée, Musts, Open Air), events (ceremonies, La Nuit du Court), youth programming, and ESFAA (a 9-country European audience award network). Industry services include accreditation, Brussels CoProMarket for co-productions, pitching workshops, and a Short Film Market. The related BRIFF (Brussels International Film Festival) covers feature-length films. BSFF On Tour extends reach beyond the festival dates.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Festival Competitions (Internationale, Nationale, Next Generation) Three competition categories for short films: Compétition Nationale for Belgian films, Compétition Internationale for international works (Oscar-qualifying), and Compétition Next Generation for student filmmakers from film schools. For 2026, the International Competition selected 51 films from 28 countries out of 4,000+ submissions; National Competition selected 41 Belgian films from 370+ submissions; Next Generation selected 37 films from 14 countries out of 1,159 submissions.
• Brussels CoProMarket – Short Film Sessions Industry co-production market organized during BSFF where producers and filmmakers present projects to potential co-producers, financiers, and buyers. Targets film industry professionals seeking project development and funding partnerships.
• ESFAA (European Short Film Audience Award) European network of short film festivals co-organized by BSFF that presents national audience award winners from 9+ European countries, reaching an audience of 511 million Europeans. Coordinates cross-border short film distribution and audience engagement.
• BSFF On Tour Post-festival touring program that brings selected award-winning short films from the BSFF to venues across Belgium and beyond (e.g., UrSquare in Ixelles), extending the festival's reach outside Brussels.
• Brussels International Film Festival (BRIFF) Related long feature film festival operated by the same organization (Asbl Un Soir... Un Grain) since 2018, positioned to make Brussels a key date in the international festival calendar for feature films.
• Youth Programming (Séances scolaires, Séances Famille, Jury Jeune) Age-appropriate screenings and activities for young audiences including school screenings (Séances scolaires), family sessions (Séances Famille), and a Youth Jury (Jury Jeune) of 6 members aged 15-21. Includes a youth film call and a film criticism writing workshop. Targets ages 6-21 with a focus on film education, critical viewing skills, and introducing youth to cinema.
• Festival PASS and Individual Tickets PASSes and individual tickets sold for festival screenings across multiple Brussels venues, providing access to in-venue screenings, special events like La Nuit du Court, and Open Air projections for general cinema audiences.

Quantifiable outcome

• 51 films selected from 28 countries in International Competition 2026
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

31 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• European Union Creative MEDIA ProgrammecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Co-funded by the EU Creative MEDIA programme, supporting European film industry development and training.
• Loterie Nationale / Nationale LoterijcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Belgian National Lottery supports the festival as a major partner.
• Région de Bruxelles-CapitalecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Brussels-Capital Region provides support including €3,500 prize for International Competition Grand Prix.
• Ville de BruxellescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026City of Brussels provides prizes including €1,000 for Jury Prize in International Competition and €1,000 for acting awards.
• VAF (Vlaams Audiovisueel Fonds)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Flemish Audiovisual Fund supports the festival and Belgian short film production.
• Fédération Wallonie-BruxellescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Wallonia-Brussels Federation provides €2,500 prize for best Belgian Francophone film in both National and Next Generation competitions.
• Cocof (Commission communautaire française)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026French Community of Brussels supports the festival.
• SACD (Société des Auteurs et Compositeurs Dramatiques)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Provides €2,500 prize for National Competition Grand Prix and €10,000 in services from Eye-Lite, KGS, and Chocolat Noisette.
• SABAMcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Belgian copyright society provides €1,000 Public Award prize for National Competition and €1,000 for Next Generation National Public.
• PlayRightcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Provides €1,000 prizes for Best Actress and Best Actor in National Competition.
• ArtecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026European broadcaster ARTE acquires rights to award-winning films and co-produces Putain de Chat animation series with Autour de Minuit.
• RTBF (La Trois, La Première, Auvio)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026Belgian public broadcaster acquires broadcasting rights for award-winning films.
• Be TvcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026Belgian TV channel awards 'Be Tv Prize' with broadcasting rights acquisition.
• ABCM (Agence Belge du Court Métrage)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026Belgian short film agency distributes award-winning films through festivals, international sales, and theatrical distribution.
• FlageycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026Main festival venue in Brussels hosting screenings, ceremonies, and industry events.
• Eye-LiteminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Provides €5,000 in services for Best Photography award (collaboration with Belgian Society of Cinematographers) and €10,000 in services for National Competition Grand Prix.
• KGSminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Provides services worth €10,000 for National Competition Grand Prix.
• Chocolat NoisetteminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Provides services worth €10,000 for National Competition Grand Prix.
• Diginet / Avid Media ComposerminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Provides Avid Media Composer Ultimate license worth €599 for Best Editing award (collaboration with BEmontage).
• ESFAA (European Short Film Audience Award)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Network of 9+ European countries showcasing best audience award-winning short films from each country, reaching 511 million Europeans.
• Brussels International Film Festival (BRIFF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Same organization (asbl Un Soir... Un Grain) operates both festivals. BRIFF focuses on feature-length films, running since June 2018.
• Interfilm BerlinminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026International short film festival partner participating in industry events.
• Clermont-Ferrand Short Film FestivalminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Premier French short film festival partner.
• Tampere Short Film FestivalminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Finnish short film festival partner.
• Go Short (Netherlands)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Dutch short film festival partner.
• Short Waves (Poland)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Polish short film festival partner.
• Curtas Vila do Conde (Portugal)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Portuguese short film festival partner.
• Alcine (Spain)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Spanish film festival partner.
• Hub.brussels (Bruxelles Invest & Export)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Brussels business development agency partner.
• UCLouvainminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026University partner for festival activities.
• KU LeuvenminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026University partner for festival activities.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival: The largest and most prestigious short film festival globally, held annually in France. Direct peer as both events are Oscar-qualifying short film festivals with international competitions, industry programs, and similar submission-based curatorial models.
• Alcine — Festival de Cine de Alcalá de Henares: Spanish short film festival listed as an ESFAA partner. Direct peer operating international competition, audience award, and youth programming parallel to BSFF's structure.
• Go Short — International Short Film Festival Nijmegen: Dutch short film festival and ESFAA partner. Direct peer running international competition, national selection, and industry programming with similar European festival audience award integration.
• Interfilm Berlin — International Short Film Festival: Major German short film festival listed as an ESFAA partner. Direct peer with comparable international and national competition structure, distribution services for selected films, and parallel focus on professional industry programming.
• Tampere Film Festival: Finland's premier short film festival and an established ESFAA partner. Direct peer with overlapping international competition structure, industry programming, and audience award integration through the European Short Film Audience Award network.
• Short Waves Festival: Polish short film festival and ESFAA partner. Direct peer with comparable international competition, industry programs, and pan-European festival network integration.
• Curtas Vila do Conde — International Short Film Festival: Portuguese short film festival listed as an ESFAA partner. Direct peer with international competition, animation focus, and similar European audience award integration.
• Oberhausen International Short Film Festival: One of the oldest short film festivals in the world (since 1954), held in Germany. Direct peer in international short film exhibition with a comparable competition model and significant industry presence.

Broad incumbents

• Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF): One of the world's leading film festivals. Comparable as a major industry-facing film event with industry programming, accreditation, and broadcaster participation — though TIFF focuses on feature films and operates at much larger scale.
• Brussels International Film Festival (BRIFF): Operated by the same non-profit organization (asbl Un Soir... Un Grain) since 2018. Sister festival focused on feature-length cinema; comparable as the parent organization's broader festival portfolio strategy and shared infrastructure/team.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/fcmbxl
• Facebookfacebook.com/brusselsfestival
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bsff
• Instagraminstagram.com/brusselsshort

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles25 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Brussels Short Film Festival