The 36th Ghent International Film Festival will open on October 6 with Belgium’s foreign Oscar entry, Felix van Groeningen’s The Misfortunates.

The festival, which runs until 17 October, will screen 141 films from 35 countries. The closing film, Soul Kitchen, will be introduced by its German-Turkish director Fatih Akin.

The festival line-up includes European premieres of Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s Micmacs, Still Bill, about Bill Withers, directed by Damani Baker & Alex Vlack, and Of Heart and Courage: Ballet Bejart Lausanne, by Arantxa Aguirre about a dance company’s problems following the departure of its founder Maurice Béjart.

Other highlights include a tribute to Asian cinema, four live concerts, including one from actor Kevin Costner and his band, and the 9th annual World Soundtrack Awards (WSAs). Oscar winner A.R Rahman (Slumdog Millionaire) and Coen brothers’ collaborator Carter Burwell are amongst those competing.

The Joseph Plateau Lifetime achievement awards will be presented to Oscar nominee Andy Garcia and French director Claude Miller.

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