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Video essays are slow criticism. Not by choice, but by necessity. Video essay makers work with images and sounds from films and so these must be (digitally) available. Often, this means waiting months for a film to become available on disc after its passage through the cinema halls. Even in these pandemic times, when films are quicker to stream to streaming services, the reviewer with the pen often has weeks ahead of the one behind the editing keyboard. This is not necessarily a disadvantage. This enforced waiting period makes all too quick judgements evaporate. The spirit of the film is given the chance to ferment: it is a time for reflection and contemplation from which video essays can benefit.

On Saturday 22 October 2022, Film Fest Ghent is proud to welcome the versatile American film composer and jazz artist Mark Isham as guest of honour of the 22nd edition of the World Soundtrack Awards. Isham's outstanding musical voice can be heard in the memorable scores for the numerous films on which he collaborated, such as Judas and the Black Messiah by Shaka King, Crash by Paul Haggis and Nell by Michael Apted which received a Golden Globe nomination for ‘Best Original Score’. Mark Isham also scored A River Runs Through It (Robert Redford) which received an Oscar nomination for 'Best Music' and a Grammy nomination for ‘Best Instrumental Composition for a Feature Film’. For Brian De Palma’s The Black Dahlia, Isham was awarded 'Best Score' by the International Film Music Critics Association.

Video essayists often and gladly focus on a limited circle of popular film directors. Hitchcock and Kubrick. Scorsese and Spielberg. Nolan and Fincher. Tarantino and just about all the Andersons (Wes and Paul Thomas in the lead). Few non Anglo-Saxon and arthouse directors can count on the same popularity. Yasujirō Ozu is one of the exceptions. The Japanese grandmaster of small detail is the subject of quite a few audiovisual analyses. We highlight three of them.

On Thursday 20 October, Film Fest Ghent is putting the spotlight on Korean film music in the unique concert Korean Composers. Scores for the films such as the Oscar-winning Parasite and the hit series Squid Game will be performed live. South Korean cinema will also serve as the focus of the 49th edition of the festival, which runs from 11 to 22 October.

There is nothing better than enjoying a movie in good company. At Film Fest Gent you can go for a fun group outing with family, friends or your association. There is a good chance that you will find the right film for the group within our selection. The talks and Q&As with our film guests provide that little bit of extra depth. In the Film Fest Café you can enjoy a drink, a snack and a nice chat.

Close, the new feature film by Lukas Dhont, rewarded with the Grand Prix at Cannes Filmfestival 2022, will be the opening movie on Tuesday 11 October at the 49th edition of the Ghent Film Festival 2022.

Film Fest Gent and Cinea (the Flemish service for film culture) proudly present the ninth Young Critics Workshop (October 11 – 22, 2022) by photogénie, open to aspiring film critics (aged 18-26) from Belgium and abroad, offering them the opportunity to cover the 49th edition of this major international event, ranked among the top European film festivals.

What is your favourite film score of the year? What film music have you been listening to all year long? Let's hear! You can now vote for the World Soundtrack Public Choice Award 2022. The winner and the successor of Benji Merrison's score for SAS: Red Notice will be revealed at the World Soundtrack Awards Ceremony & Concert on 22 October.