Discover 14 Exciting New Projects Backed by Screen Flanders’ €3 Million Investment

Screen Flanders Invests 3 Million Euros in 14 New Audiovisual Productions

In the bustling world of the audiovisual sector, Screen Flanders, the economic fund of VLAIO, is making waves by investing a whopping 3 million euros in 14 new and exciting projects. Thanks to the exceptional quality and high demand of the submitted proposals, Vlaams minister van Economie Matthias Diependaele has doubled the initial budget of 1.5 million euros within the call. This boost allows Screen Flanders to support six additional projects, bringing the total to 14 supported productions. These projects are projected to generate over 24.4 million euros in eligible audiovisual expenditures in the Vlaamse Gewest, creating an economic leverage of 8.15 for every euro invested. The financial support for these projects ranges from 50,000 euros to 350,000 euros per project. The supported productions include seven fiction films, six fiction series, and one animated series, featuring new projects from talented directors like Lukas Dhont, Adil El Arbi, Bilall Fallah, and Ana Teodora Mihai.

14 Supported Projects

Within this funding call, seven fiction feature films have received support: Coward, Dust, Julian, Jonah Was Here, Heysel 85, Patsers for Life, and Life is Cruel to Basilia Belushi. Additionally, the economic fund has backed one animated series, Ewilan’s Quest, and six fiction series: The Best Immigrant, Juliet S2, De Twaalf – De Botoxmoorden, Vero Forever, Het Gouden Uur S2, and Hidden Assets S3.

Supported Fiction Films (Majoritair Vlaams)

Coward
The upcoming feature film by acclaimed Flemish director Lukas Dhont, collaborating once again with co-screenwriter Angelo Tijssens. The Vlaamse production house The Reunion leads this project, with Lumière Publishing handling the film’s distribution in the Benelux region.

Dust
In Dust, two successful entrepreneurs in 1990s Belgium face a race against time to confront their fraudulent past in speech technology before it’s exposed. Directed by Anke Blondé, with a script by Angelo Tijssens, the film stars Arieh Worthalter and Jan Hammenecker, among others. The film is predominantly shot in Flanders, specifically in the Westhoek and Ieper region, with a predominantly Flemish crew.

Heysel 85
The poignant story of the tragic events at the Heysel Stadium in 1985, where 39 people lost their lives before the European Cup final. Directed by Ana Teodora Mihai, the film delves into the aftermath and the personal struggles faced by the mayor’s daughter. Featuring a stellar cast including Violet Braeckman, Matteo Simoni, and Josse De Pauw, the film is primarily shot in Antwerp, Flanders.

Julian
Julian follows the journey of Fleur and Julian as they embark on a quest to get married in 22 countries. However, their plans take a drastic turn when Julian falls seriously ill. The film marks the majoritair Vlaams debut of The Reunion, headed by the Dhont brothers, with co-production from Les Films Du Fleuve (BE) and Topkapi Films (NL). The screenplay, based on Fleur Pierets’ bestseller, is a collaboration between Angelo Tijssens and Cato Kusters, who also makes her directorial debut.

Jonah Was Here
In this emotionally charged drama, a grieving neurologist moves into his deceased son’s room, gradually immersing himself in his son’s life. Directed by Nathalie Teirlinck and co-written with Angelo Tijssens, the film showcases Vlaams talent both on and off the screen. The film is a production of De Wereldvrede, in collaboration with Frakas Productions (BE) and Volya Films (NL).

Patsers for Life
The final installment in the Patser trilogy sees the Patser gang fleeing to Dubai to escape police, only to face new challenges. Directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, with a script by Ruben Vermeersch, the action-packed film stars familiar faces like Matteo Simoni and Norah Gharib. Shot in Antwerp and Dubai, Patsers for Life is a production of A Team Productions (BE), with co-production from 10.80 Films (BE) and Fiction Valley (NL).

Life is Cruel to Basilia Belushi
A Cypriot-Greek-Belgian co-production, Life is Cruel to Basilia Belushi tells the story of three sisters reuniting in Gent to celebrate their mother’s 80th birthday, only for things to take a dark turn with Basilia’s disappearance. Directed by Stelios Kammitsis, the film is set to be a gripping tale shot entirely in Gent, Belgium.

Supported Fiction Series (Majoritair Vlaams)

The Best Immigrant
In a dystopian world where immigrants face deportation, a couple decides to participate in a cutthroat gameshow for a chance at residency. Developed within the Streamz Academy, The Best Immigrant promises a thrilling narrative with a talented team including Raoul Groothuizen, Cristina Poppe, Michel Sabbe, Hasse Steenssens, and Michael De Cock. The series will be helmed by Michael Abay, with Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah serving as executive producers.

Juliet – Season 2
The second season of the Belgian crime series Juliet continues the gripping tale of Inspector Juliet Dumon as she navigates new challenges in De Haan and along the Belgian coast. With a script by Wouter Van Haver and Tyche Beyens, and direction by Caroline de Maeyer, the series stars Charlotte De Bruyne, Nabil Mallat, and Amber Naert. Juliet is a production of Eyeworks Film & TV Drama (BE), in collaboration with VRT and ZDF.

De Twaalf – The Botox Murders
In the series De Twaalf – The Botox Murders, 12 jurors must decide on guilt or innocence in a high-profile case that will change their lives forever. Written by Willem Wallyn and Marie Enthoven, and directed by Brecht De Groot, the series is a joint production of Eyeworks Film & TV Drama (BE), VRT, RTBF, and Proximus.

Vero Forever
Benoit Vanhaverbeke’s life takes an unexpected turn when his wealthy wife Veronique reveals a terminal illness, leading to a complex web of emotions and deceit. Written by Dries Heyneman and Emilie De Roo, Vero Forever promises a blend of drama and comedy. Directed by Emilie De Roo and Jeroen Dumoulin, the series is a production of Lunanime (BE), in collaboration with MadeFor Film (DE) and Flinck Film (NL).

Supported Fiction Series (Minoritair Vlaams)

Het Gouden Uur – Season 2
The second season of Het Gouden Uur follows Mardik and Joelle as they uncover a sinister plot by an extremist organization, Blue Front, leading to a high-stakes showdown in Brussels. With a script by Simon De Waal and direction by Bobby Boermans, the series promises a thrilling narrative with an ensemble cast and international intrigue.

Hidden Assets – Season 3
In the third season of Hidden Assets, Sergeant Claire Wallace and her team from the Criminal Assets Bureau tackle white-collar crime, delving into a web of deceit that takes them to Bilbao. Written by Peter Mc Kenna, Mary Fox, Marty Thornton, Susan E. Connolly, and Cara Loftus, the series is a collaboration between Saffron Moon (IE) and Potemkino Port (BE), promising a mix of suspense and intrigue.

Supported Animated Series (Minoritair Vlaams)

Ewilan’s Quest
Based on Pierre Bottero’s books, Ewilan’s Quest* follows the journey of Camille into the fantastical world of Gwendalavir, where her life takes a magical turn. Written by Anastasia Heinzl, Alexandre Manneville, Diane Morel, Pierre-Gilles Stehr, and Xavier Vairé, the series promises an enchanting tale brought to life by Andarta Pictures (FR) and Vivi Film (BE), with animation by Creature in Gent.

Conclusion

The diverse range of projects supported by Screen Flanders demonstrates the richness and creativity of the Flemish audiovisual landscape. From gripping crime dramas to heartwarming comedies, these productions showcase the talent and vision of Vlaams filmmakers and storytellers. As these projects come to life on screen, they promise to captivate audiences and leave a lasting impact on the industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Screen Flanders?
   • Screen Flanders is the economic fund of VLAIO that supports audiovisual productions in Flanders.
2. How many projects received funding from Screen Flanders?
   • Screen Flanders invested in 14 new audiovisual productions across various genres.
3. Who are some of the directors involved in the supported projects?
   • Directors like Lukas Dhont, Adil El Arbi, Bilall Fallah, and Ana Teodora Mihai are among those leading the supported projects.
4. Where will the supported projects be filmed?
   • The projects will be predominantly filmed in Flanders, showcasing the region’s diverse locations and talent.
5. What genres do the supported projects cover?
   • The supported projects include fiction films, fiction series, and an animated series, offering a wide range of storytelling styles.
6. When can audiences expect to see these projects?
   • The projects are in various stages of production and will be released over the coming months and years.
7. Are there any international collaborations in the supported projects?
   • Yes, some projects involve international co-productions, highlighting the global reach of Flemish storytelling.
8. What is the significance of the funding increase by Vlaams minister van Economie Matthias Diependaele?
   • The increased budget reflects the growing demand and high quality of audiovisual projects in Flanders, boosting the region’s creative economy.
9. Which production houses are involved in the supported projects?
   • Production houses like The Reunion, A Team Productions, Lunanime, and more are leading the way in bringing these projects to life.
10. Where can viewers watch these projects once they are released?
    • The projects will be available on various platforms, including local and international streaming services, showcasing Flemish talent to a global audience.

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