The best of Belgian cinema at the Magritte Awards

For the ninth year in a row, the Magritte Awards celebrated Belgian cinema by rewarding the best films, actors and directors of 2018. We take a look back at this very Belgian evening.

Since 2011, the Académie André Delvaux, named after one of the greatest directors in the history of Belgian cinema, has organised a Ceremony in early February in Brussels. Its purpose? To promote the wealth and diversity of Belgian cinema. Its name? The Magritte Awards, in tribute to Belgian surrealist painter René Magritte.

This year, a new generation of Belgian actors and film-makers was honoured. A new wave of talent has emerged in our little cinematic world, ranging from Lena Girard Voss to Thomas Mustin, crowned Most Promising Actress in Nos batailles (Our Struggles) and Most Promising Actor in L’échange des princesses (The Royal Exchange) respectively, not forgetting Victor Polster and Arieh Worthalter, named Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor in Girl. At only 28 years of age, Lukas Dhont made a name for himself with his first feature film, Girl, which won Best Flemish Film and Best Screenplay.

Nos batailles, Guillaume Senez’s second film, won the Magritte Award for Best Film and Best Director, as well as Best Supporting Actress for Lucie Debay. The Magritte Award for Best Actress was awarded to Lubna Azabal for Tueurs (Above the Law). And let’s not forget Olivier Meys’ Bitter Flowers, which picked up the Magritte Award for Best First Feature Film.

A total of 22 awards were presented.