Film Fest Ghent is an international film festival with a strong focus on European cinema. The aim of Film Fest Ghent – in 2014 at its 41st edition – is to celebrate cinema in its most multifaceted form and to sample the art of film in all its richness, diversity and capacity to surprise and inspire. Our interest in fresh cinema, discovery and experimentation doesn’t exclude mainstream quality cinema and established talent. The task of the festival is to showcase innovative, creative and rewarding cinema from all over the globe to a big, diverse and mainly young audience (Ghent is one of Flanders’ most important student cities) and thereby encouraging cultural diversity. This vision is also put into action during the year. On the other hand, we organize and collaborate in several projects and events that stimulate media literacy. The festival is committed to supporting European filmmakers, offering a platform for emerging talent and introducing them to the audience. Every year we have film music as the main focus of the festival. Film Fest Ghent found its unique place in the international festival calendar thanks to this focus and the organization of the annual World Soundtrack Awards. But we also try to find a year-specific focus (a country or thematic focus). After a focus on US independent cinema in 2013, the 2014 and 2015 editions will focus on European cinema. The fest also reaches existing and new audiences during the year by several actions. (such as the large-scale annual exhibition on a film director, actor or theme; “One Shot Cinema” in which we function as an alternative distributor; “Film Fest Ghent On Tour” with avant-premieres of arthouse films all over Flanders, and an exchange with the Festival Int’l du Film d'Amour de Mons. Each edition we present some 100 features and 30 shorts from across the world. With our film program and side events (exhibition, concerts, educational projects) we aim to reach an audience of about 130.000 visitors.