For those who live between two countries and two cultures, one ultimate question inevitably arises: on which two square meters do you want to be buried? Is this the final answer to the difficult question of where you truly belong?  An intimate look at the delicate balancing act between faith and commerce a Turkish (lees meer)

Soraya is 16. She creates beautiful drawings and sculptures, but above all, she is determined to shape her own future. For five years, she has been trying to escape from Iran, away from her marriage to a violent man, and flee to her mother in Austria. Over a period of five years, Soraya films herself, her escape (lees meer)

Groundbreaking marine biologist Edie Widder descends to a depth of 1,000 meters in the darkest parts of the ocean. In this twilight zone, she captured the first-ever images of the elusive giant squid. Now she embarks on her most daring mission yet: documenting a bioluminescent phenomenon that could change our view (lees meer)

When we think of “prisoners,” all kinds of images come to mind, but rarely that of people over 70. And yet there are many elderly people in detention who struggle with physical and mental health problems. A unique insight into the challenges faced by both prisoners and prison staff in providing adequate care and (lees meer)

The 90-year-old Agatha is fragile; yet incredibly strong at the same time. She still lives on her own on her family's old farm in the Canadian province of Manitoba. She lives without running water, telephone or drivers license. She leads a solitary life, but doesn't feel lonely. There is much to (lees meer)

World-renowned Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei delves into the world of opera and tackles Giacomo Puccini's controversial opera Turandot. In Rome's majestic Teatro dell'Opera, he takes a close look at the century-old work. His radical reinterpretation infuses the classic production with urgent contemporary (lees meer)

The son of one of the wealthiest families in the US establishes a communist revolutionary community in rural Massachusetts, seeking to disrupt the capitalist system he has come to despise. This marks the starting point of a bewildering journey that gradually reveals what access to astronomical wealth does to a (lees meer)

When an archaeologist uncovers a ruthless grave-robbing mafia, he sets out on a detective-like investigation in this thrilling documentary thriller. Together with his undercover cameraman, he infiltrates the black market to unravel a network of corrupt dealers and complicit museums, thereby protecting an invaluable (lees meer)

Embark on a contemplative journey through the breathtaking landscapes of the Q’ero community, high in the Vilcanota mountains, the last refuge of the Inca. Not only do you discover the physical world of the Q'ero, but their spiritual world as well – brought vividly to life through animation.

“Brilliant” idiot André is dying because he never dared to undergo a colonoscopy. The sobering diagnosis, his insatiable curiosity, and his complete irreverence toward death set him on an unexpectedly hilarious journey in which he discovers how to die happily without losing his sense of humor.

BF Skinner, founder of radical behaviorism and operant conditioning, “plays” himself in this reissue of a “failed” educational film. Encounter pigeon-guided bombs, rat experiments and baby-box trials, utopian communes and debates with Dennis Hopper.

Bring your drawing to life in this interactive installation! Create your craziest character and watch it dance alongside all the other figures.

The scientific magazine EOS invites journalists to discuss specific topics with experts in the field. After Chronically Ignored, you can join a panel discussion with medical experts. They will take a closer look at medical developments in research into fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue.

What responsibility does a film festival bear toward filmmakers and toward its audience? In a conversation with film professionals, programmers and researchers, the role of the film festival within a geopolitical context is examined more closely. What expectations can a festival realistically meet? What obligations (lees meer)

Who doesn't dream of escaping the rat race of society and being completely free? Forty years ago, 80-year-old Wolfgang “Gangerl” Clemens made that choice: he left everything behind and has been sailing around the world on a sailboat ever since. Filmmaker Julian Wittmann travels with this fascinating free spirit for (lees meer)

Can people who have become completely entangled in conspiracy theories and the fake news vortex ever change their minds? Perhaps by confronting them with “reality”? Director Robin Kvapil takes on the experiment with three self-proclaimed Czech patriots who reject the ‘mainstream media’s’ coverage of the war (lees meer)

In the heart of Brussels, four drag queens talk candidly about their lives. Massi, Addi, Lylybeth, and Joy navigate the complexities of their identity and acceptance. In their shows they challenge norms, but above all they find an outlet for their search for self-acceptance and belonging. They are confronted with (lees meer)

Although Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) was classified as a neurological disorder by the WHO in 1969, it remains widely misunderstood in politics, the medical field, and society to this day. The number of people affected has risen dramatically in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Will this lead to a shift in (lees meer)

Comedian Noam Shuster-Eliassi once performed as a poster child for peaceful coexistence between Palestinians and Israelis. She shook hands with Hillary Clinton and the Dalai Lama and aspired to a career at the UN. Over the years, however, her stance shifted, and for some Israelis she gradually became a public enemy. (lees meer)

Sara is the very first woman ever elected to the village council in her rural Iranian community. It is no easy task, yet giving up is not in her nature. There is much to be done: keep girls in school for as long as possible, curb child marriages, give women inheritance rights, and in the meantime also ensure that the (lees meer)

A baby elephant has lost her parents, but luckily she is rescued by a group of conservationists. They name her Khanyisa and make sure she grows up strong and healthy. But an elephant needs a family, and that's not so easy, because wild herds usually don't accept orphaned elephants. The team comes up with a special plan (lees meer)

Explaining what doctoral research is about is always a challenge. Doing so through dance sounds completely absurd. And yet that is what has been happening for 18 years thanks to the ‘Dance Your PhD competition’ organized by the renowned journal Science, which receives hundreds of entries every year. Come and watch (lees meer)

During the spectacular science show, you’ll witness a whole series of exciting experiments and discover the most important scientific rules. Become a real scientist yourself and play around with gravity!

Did you know you can actually learn to be afraid? It may sound strange, but it’s true. And even more importantly… you can also learn not to be afraid! Come and find out how scientists study fear in the lab and take part in a small computer experiment yourself.

A young student begins to rebuild her life through trauma therapy after experiencing sexual violence at the hands of someone she trusted. Outside of her therapy sessions she speaks to nearly no one about what she went through. With intimacy and restraint you follow a woman's struggle to talk to her (lees meer)

Dennis Tyfus has been an established name in the Antwerp art scene since the late 90's. As a visual artist, musician, radio maker, publisher and organizer he usually works outside of the institutional art circuit. Improvisation and freedom are the common thread in just about everything he does, that (lees meer)

Animal testing: still necessary for medical progress? But are medical advances already fully achievable without animal testing? And under what conditions are medical substances tested on animals? Scientists engage in dialogue with animal rights experts.

A playful and personal journey through Lebanon's audiovisual past, composed entirely of archival material. A creative reconstruction of a fragmented history in a country without a national archive; a personal and collective history marked by joy and intimacy, but also by destruction and loss.

This double children’s lecture kicks off with a curious question: What’s hidden inside a Viking’s tooth? Much more than you’d ever imagine! By studying Viking teeth, we can discover what Vikings really looked like: their hair color, their eye color, and even what they liked to eat. After that, fire safety (lees meer)

Spanish farmer Alfonso and his wife Yanniek are trying to save their farm from desertification in drought-stricken La Junquera. They are switching to sustainable farming methods, fighting against illegal water extraction and the unpredictability of the climate. Their herd of rare cattle is growing, but (lees meer)

Has Agatha’s Almanac planted a seed in your brain, inspiring you to start your own vegetable garden? Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned grower, transform your terrace, balcony or windowsill into an edible oasis. With expert guidance from Velt, you’ll create your own mini garden and learn all about (lees meer)

A poetic ode to the invisible nightlife of the city Talinn - from the cries of newborns to quiet park benches, from the last tram to the chaos of emergencies, from swingers in secret clubs to the melody of a blind musician. A mosaic of vibrant silence that invites the viewer to experience Tallinn not as (lees meer)

Following the premiere of Mijn woord tegen het Mijne and to conclude Brain Day, there will be an extensive discussion with director Maasja Ooms, psychiatrist and protagonist Dirk Corstens, and Inez Germeys (Psychiatry, KU Leuven).

When tech billionaire Elon Musk unveiled his plans for a self-driving car in 2014, the world responded enthusiastically. What almost no one knew was that the autopilot function was far from ready when the car was launched on the market. A shocking investigative film reveals that an unfinished product was deliberately (lees meer)

Step inside the secret buildings of a French nuclear power plant. For once, you are free to wander around as you please. Along the way, you will meet various experts—engineers, physicists, and researchers—who will explain their vision on the future of energy.

Filmmaker and producer Eugen Braeunig offers insight into the use of AI as an independent filmmaker: how can AI be applied in an ethical way? What pitfalls should be avoided? Drawing on the GenAI Tool Kit developed by The Archival Producers Alliance, he presents a set of best practices for responsible implementation.

How do you give a museum that was built more than a century ago as part of colonial propaganda a new purpose? After a five-year renovation, the Africa Museum in Brussels has reopened its doors with new exhibition formats. Inside, visitors exchange ideas with their guides and with each other. Different perspectives on a (lees meer)

Fourteen-year-old Fanta has to bend over backwards, both literally and figuratively. She tries to combine caring for her sick mother with school and her greatest passion: training at the acrobatic circus Amoukanama, in the hope of being part of their next big tour. By trying to combine all these expectations, Fanta (lees meer)

Is nuclear energy the future or a dangerous relic from the past? Inhabitants of two towns — one is Germany and the other in Poland — join the debate. In Germany, the first nuclear power plant is being decommissioned, while in Poland the first one is expected to open in 2033. A warm film about a hot-button (lees meer)

Artificial intelligence did not come out of nowhere. AI is deeply rooted in our desire to classify people and society, to discover patterns and form models. Centuries ago, this was done with phrenology and eugenics; now it is done with AI. These patterns and categories are not neutral, either now or in the past, but (lees meer)

Svetlana and Anatoli are the last remaining residents of the war-torn village of Pesky, located on the front line in eastern Ukraine. Despite the daily challenges and bombings, they refuse to abandon their honeybees.

The scientific magazine EOS invites journalists to discuss specific topics with experts in the field. EOS-journalist Kim Verhaeghe and a deep-sea expert discuss the creatures who inhabit the ocean floor. 

In rural India, elderly Vardibai carefully tends her poppy field, as the harvest provides her with much-needed income. As is often the case, it remains uncertain until the last moment whether she will receive permission to harvest. These permits are controlled by corrupt officials who manipulate the system to their (lees meer)

Several intellectual and strategic heavyweights—from military strategists to philosophers—take part in a special game: in a daring war simulation, they are confronted with the potential impact of AI on policymaking and how artificial intelligence could change power relations. Or how some of the world's (lees meer)

In Michoacán, Mexico, the annual jaripeos—a regional form of rodeo—are a celebration of cowboy culture, nostalgia, and macho masculinity. But surprisingly, beneath the spectacle, a hidden queer subculture quietly unfolds. Director Efraín returns to his hometown and creates an intimate portrait of queer (lees meer)

Who are the Taliban supporters living in Afghanistan? An unprecedented glimpse into the life of Samim, a devoted soldier of the Taliban ideology, who struggles between the seductive promise of martyrdom and the mundanity of his existence. His 14-year-old brother Rafi looks up to him as he slowly but surely leaves (lees meer)

How can art and science inspire, challange and enhance each other in a meaningful way? Scientists and artists with a background in psychology, philosophy, art history and mediastudies have a discussion about how their work fuses art and science. Various researchers and artists from KU Leuven's (lees meer)

In the hope of unraveling a deep-rooted family secret, award-winning filmmaker Olga Lucovnicova travels from Belgium to a remote village, tucked away in the Russian Ural region. Just when she was trying to connect with her estranged family and their shared history, Russia launches another war. Will the voices from the (lees meer)

Is sleeping on your right side better for your brain? Do women with strong legs have healthier brains? Is it true that scientists have localized the source of the christmas spirit inside the brain?  In recent years, a series of health reports about our brains have been circulating. During a live podcast, the (lees meer)

Long before the Russian invasion in 2022, there was already war in the Ukrainian frontline town of Mariinka. Amidst the war, a promising boxing talent becomes a military paramedic, a girl smuggles unexpected goods across the front line to survive, and two brothers now fight on opposite sides of the front (lees meer)

During an in-depth interview, Pieter-Jan De Pue reflects on his creative process. He spent eight and ten years respectively on his feature films: how sustainable is such a way of working? How did he find his protagonists? And ultimately, how do you maintain such intense focus over such a long period of time? (lees meer)

Many of us first heard about mRNA when the Covid-19 vaccine was successfully developed. But it was preceded by more than 60 years of research. An enlightening insight into decades of silent progress in mRNA research, a fascinating journey full of passion, doubt, setbacks, perseverance, and even coincidence. 

Neutrinos are extraordinarily tiny particles (millions of times smaller than an atom) of which some 65 billion pass through every square centimeter of Earth each second. Because they are so small, the vast majority travel straight through the planet without even slowing down. But every once in a while, one collides (lees meer)

One in ten people hears voices from time to time. Some hear just one voice, others hear as many as nineteen. Five people living with this phenomenon start working on it in a therapeutic setting. A psychiatrist — who remains off-screen — engages in conversation not only about their voices, but also (lees meer)

For thousands of years, polar bears have migrated along the shores of Hudson Bay in northern Canada. Today, that ancient rhythm clashes with a human world full of tourists, conservationists, and hunters, while climate change slows the freezing and drives the bears closer to human settlements. Who is the “nuisance” (lees meer)

From whirling Sufi's to passionate flamenco dancers, from an 80-year-old techno enthusiast to a mesmerizing Japanese Butoh dancer. Dance is one of humanity’s most universal languages. This visually striking documentary studies how dance, in all its forms, is both a reflection of personal expression (lees meer)

A sobering crash course on Orwellian abuse of power: starting from the mind of a terminally ill George Orwell, who in 1948 worked on his masterpiece ‘1984’ in unspoiled nature, this provocative documentary essay examines the world of today. An alarming, highly relevant, and visually impressive documentary by Raoul (lees meer)

How does Belgium perform in terms of elderly care within the prison system? Which specific needs are there, and which resources do the institutions have available? Is Belgian policy in line with universal human rights? Experts in the field discuss the issue.

Meet Kosha, a small, scaly, ant-eating mammal with a ridiculously long tongue... and no teeth. In 2017 kosha got saved from poachers in Zimbabwe when she was just a baby and eventually got released back in nature successfully, where we follow her on all her extraordinary adventures. 

On the border between Suriname and French Guiana, the indigenous Wayana community continues to face the consequences of contact with outsiders. Illegal gold mining, religious interference, and even doctors with the best of intentions leave traces that are often invasive. With powerful cinematography and stunning sound (lees meer)

A mesmerizing audiovisual adventure that spans from the subatomic to the cosmological level. All of the stunning images of various natural phenomena were captured with a camera, without visual effects or artifice. An impressive sequence of hyperrealistic images that reveal the inner workings of nature.

Do you want to taste the creation of one of the only Belgian competitors ever in the Oatmeal World Cup after the screening of The Golden Spurtle on 22.03? Anse and Ewout Vanmassenhove, co-founders of Oats Day Long, will provide some explanation alongside a three course oatmeal tasting menu.

Media coverage of refugees often focuses on extreme and exceptional stories, leaving the daily lives of the majority underexposed. That majority does not live in the West, but often in large camps such as Kakuma in Kenya. The RefugeeStories project offers a scientifically based, data-driven insight into life in such a (lees meer)

Even if we may find it necessary to test on animals, do we have the right to do so? A balanced, but sometimes heartbreaking look at the dilemma of laboratory research on animals, considering the arguments of both supporters and opponents. Dr. Lisa Jones-Engel, a primatologist who has emerged as an animal welfare (lees meer)

How do you deal with grief and sadness as a young teenager? Twelve-year-old Tuni gives us a glimpse into her playful world, where she hears animals talk and makes a bucket list. It helps her come to terms with her brother's suicide and her mother's terminal cancer. A heartwarming tribute to children's resilience (lees meer)

The moment a virus jumps from animals to humans remains crucial in every epidemic. Ebola, Marburg, Nipah, COVID-19, and bird flu—the list of deadly viruses with such a “spillover” keeps growing. Why is this? And can we learn anything from it? A compelling documentary that searches worldwide for answers about (lees meer)

What if you were to track down the executioner of a family member or your own torturer? In 1988, thousands of political prisoners were secretly executed in the Islamic Republic of Iran and buried in mass graves. In 2019, several Iranians now living in Sweden manage to trace a key figure of Iran’s so-called (lees meer)

In this warm, intimate, and often disarmingly funny documentary, director Nic Balthazar follows actor-writer Rudy Morren, who surrounds himself with a close-knit group of friends after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. As he undergoes major brain surgery, his “Team” grows into a powerful network of (lees meer)

Flying around the world in a single journey by hot air balloon. In 1999, Swiss explorer Bertrand Piccard and the British flight instructor Brian Jones, set out in their Breitling Orbiter to realise the last great aviation challenge of the 20th century. A heartwarming buddy comedy (lees meer)

Seventy years ago, Italian neurologist Rita Levi-Montalcini made a groundbreaking discovery: she discovered how nerve cells can regenerate. She won the Nobel Prize for this discovery in 1986 at the age of 77, but it is only in recent years that the medical world has fully discovered the life-changing impact her (lees meer)

In a forgotten neighborhood in Palermo, three children turn an abandoned building into their secret, safe place. Angelo, Mery, and Rosy are eleven years old and discover an abandoned school in the middle of their neighborhood while playing. A tender glimpse into the world of fragile young people, in a place where they (lees meer)

it’s all about porridge in the Scottish village of Carrbridge, where contestants from around the world gather each year for the World Porridge Making Championship. For over thirty years, devoted oat enthusiasts have competed for the coveted Golden Spurtle, the ultimate prize in this celebration of humble oats. A (lees meer)

A stunning cinematic journey into the raw beauty of war-torn Afghanistan, where children provide daily proof of the ingenuity and resilience of a people. Justified winner of the Best Cinematography Award at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival.

As Afghanistan's last female ambassador, Manizha Bakhtari remains posted in Vienna, even though all formal ties with the regime have been severed since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. An inspiring and powerful portrait of a woman who risks everything in her fight for women's rights in Afghanistan, while (lees meer)

A Thousand students fill the largest auditorium at the prestigious University of California, Berkeley. They all want to attend the very last lecture given by Robert Reich, an icon in American politics. He was Secretary of Labor under Clinton, author of bestsellers, and still active as a political commentator. A (lees meer)

For Peter, the controversial condition known as Electromagnetic Hypersensitvity (EHS) is not a matter of debate. He experiences intense pain and discomfort in the vicinity of electricity, even from small devices like a mobile phone. He flees his hometown and cuts contact with his family and with (lees meer)

Catching as many pythons as possible, that is the aim of an annual competition in which anyone who feels called to do so, can participate. This ten-day python hunt in Florida is a bizarre competition that attracts colorful characters from all over the world (including Belgium). In The Python Hunt, we may not be (lees meer)

At the end of 2024, martial law was declared in South Korea and soldiers blocked the National Assembly so that members of parliament could not revoke the order. How does it feel to have to take to the streets to defend your democracy, which had been taken for granted for decades? Join the people on the streets, (lees meer)

In North Macedonia, farmer Nikola lives in harmony with the land until new government measures make this impossible. His family moves abroad, and Nikola starts working at a landfill. Here he meets Silyan, a stork with a broken wing. A beautiful environmental fable from Oscar-nominated director Tamara Kotevska (lees meer)

What can science learn from art, and art from science? Art and science are not each other's opposites, but rather allies in our attempt to make sense of the world. Our perception (and understanding) of the world is determined by our ability to observe and represent it. Award-winning filmmaker and physicist (lees meer)

The determined Thérèse trades in pigs. In her 45-year-old Mercedes truck, she transports 41 pigs from rural Senegal, through Gambia, to Guinea-Bissau. A road trip documentary that lays bare both the visible and invisible borders of trade, faith, and survival in West Africa.

How do you move forward after becoming a victim of sexual violence? And what does victim support look like in our country? How can strength and trust be rebuilt during what is often a long and arduous recovery process? Together with EMDR therapist and psychologist Hannah Van Dingenen, an expert from the European (lees meer)

Rob and René, both in their seventies, are brothers and polar opposites. One was a psychologist for many years, the other a psychiatric patient with a compulsion to collect things. Since the death of their mother, they have been in closer contact with each other. While trying to clean up René's cluttered house, they (lees meer)

Few images are as powerful as tens of thousands of decked-out soccer fans singing at the top of their lungs in a carefully choreographed display in the stadium. They stand as one. Who are the faces behind the banners and club songs, the people for whom their team comes first, even before their own families? A (lees meer)

We know so little about the world that resides beneath our feet. For many, the 'underworld' is an obscure place, for others a fascinating universe. This cinematic documentary takes you to places that rarely get to be seen by human eyes: from ancient holy caves, flooded sewer pipes, (lees meer)

Artist Trevor Paglen, who has been fascinated by mass surveillance and data collection for years, is turning his gaze upward in a new project: toward the satellites and drones that constantly record and track us. He is undertaking one of his most daring projects to date: launching a work of art into space to (lees meer)

Five elderly Congolese women bear witness to their traumatic lives, marked by violence. Abducted as children because of their mixed-race heritage, stripped of their rights and identity, and abandoned after Congo’s independence, they decide to break their silence and file a complaint against the Belgian state for (lees meer)

As the documentary channel par excellence, VRT CANVAS delegates a subject-matter expert to accompany a selection of films. Under the banner VRT CANVAS Talks, they delve deeper into a series of urgent and pressing themes. Editor-in-chief of Investigations and fact-checker extraordinaire Luc van Bakel has immersed (lees meer)

Meteorologist and weatherman Bram Verbruggen provides commentary and explanation on the incredible story of Piccard and Jones. He talks to Luc Trullemans, the weatherman from the film, who elaborates on his groundbreaking calculations. How impossible is it to travel around the world completely at the mercy of the whims (lees meer)

An eccentric group of international whistlers arrives in Hollywood to participate in the Masters of Musical Whistling, the world's largest whistling competition. Egos clash, musical talent overwhelms, tears flow, but only one can be crowned the best whistler on the entire planet. The whistlers may never become famous (lees meer)

When therapy and medication fail to provide any relief for severe depression, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) – better known as electroshock therapy – can offer a solution. Mie and Tine have been struggling with depression for years. Their hopes are now pinned on ECT. How are they experiencing their treatment? Are (lees meer)

VRT journalist Luc Pauwels specializes in energy, climate and environmental issues. Together with director Andreas Pichler, he joins a discussion on flaws in Tesla and other automotive software. Pauwels has previously uncovered additional defects in car software, concluding that the problem extends far beyond (lees meer)

rediscovered tapes reveal two days of the life in Gaza in 2001. A search for a former cellmate from 1989 turns into an unexpected road trip from North to South Gaza, accompanied by Hasan, a local guide whose fate remains unknown. Fleeting everyday moments have since become fragments of an (lees meer)