Leuven International Short Film Festival

Kortfilmfestival Leuven

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Arts & CultureLeuven
Dates27 November–5 December 2026Confirmed listing
Duration9 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forPerformance, exhibitionsTwo credentials set this festival apart from
LanguageFrench, Dutch, and local languagesCurrency: EUR
CategoryArts & CultureFestival type
The story

Leuven International Short Film Festival in Leuven

Kortfilmfestival Leuven screens more than 200 short films a year across four venues clustered within 500 metres of STUK Arts Centre. Running since 1995, it became the first Belgian festival to earn Academy Award qualifying status in 2012 and BAFTA qualifying status in 2016. Unlike a feature festival, evenings here are built from themed compilations packing several shorts into one sitting.

Leuven's short-film festival started in December 1995 as Leuven Kort, screening at a venue called Eden that later reopened as the concert hall Het Depot.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Two credentials set this festival apart from a general film festival: since 2012 it has been Academy Award qualifying, the first in Belgium to hold that status, and since 2016 it has also been BAFTA qualifying, so its competition winners carry real industry weight beyond the festival week

02

The mystery stays covered

The programming format is built around themed compilations rather than single features, spanning live-action, animation, children's shorts, non-narrative work and a dedicated VR strand

03

The city starts moving

All four venues sit within 500 metres of each other around STUK Arts Centre, making it one of the more compact multi-venue festivals in Belgium

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

Symbols

Custom

Leuven International Short Film Festival is documented as a recurring arts-culture festival in the Eventisimus atlas.

Participation

Calendar

Some moments are open to visitors; others belong to local participants. Follow barriers, steward instructions, and local etiquette.

Place memory

Place

The strongest version of the event is the one tied to Leuven, not a generic copy of the same category elsewhere.

The local code

Meaning

Two credentials set this festival apart from a general film festival: since 2012 it has been Academy Award qualifying, the first in Belgium to hold...

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

27 November–5 December 2026

Getting around

Getting to Leuven International Short Film Festival works best when the return plan is settled before arrival.

What to wear

Dress for cold, possibly wet late-November Belgian weather: a proper coat rather than just layers, since the short walk between venues offers no real shelter. Comfortable shoes matter less...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For peak dates, book flexible lodging near reliable routes into and out of Leuven.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

EUR

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map50.88 N, 4.70 EOpen in Google Maps

Leuven, Flemish Brabant, Belgium

Nearest airportBRU — Brussels
TransportGetting to Leuven International Short Film Festival works best when the return plan is settled before arrival.
Stay areaFor peak dates, book flexible lodging near reliable routes into and out of Leuven.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Leuven via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Leuven, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for November.Compare faresFestival gearDress for cold, possibly wet late-November Belgian weather: a proper coat rather than just layers, since the short walk between venues offers no real shelter. Comfortable shoes matter less here than at an outdoor festival, but still help across a week of venue-hopping.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Belgium and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Leuven International Short Film Festival?

Leuven International Short Film Festival is listed for 27 November–5 December 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Leuven International Short Film Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Leuven, Belgium. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

9 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Leuven, Flemish Brabant, Belgium

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLkortfilmfestival.be
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed dates27 November–5 December 2026
Source statusOfficial source linked
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