Brussels under the stars: why “Bruxelles fait son cinéma” matters for our communities

From 26 June to 18 July 2026, Bruxelles fait son cinéma turns the entire city into an open‑air movie theatre, with free screenings at night in 19 different locations across all 19 communes. For KET’s readers, it is more than a nice summer activity: it is a chance to reclaim parks, squares and hidden corners of Brussels as shared, accessible cultural spaces – and to watch films side by side with neighbours you may never meet otherwise.

A travelling, free open‑air cinema

Bruxelles fait son cinéma is celebrating its 26th edition this year. The principle is simple and generous:

• Free open‑air screenings at night,
• One location per commune, often in lesser‑known or particularly beautiful spots,
• A different film each evening, with some sessions preceded by Belgian short films in collaboration with the Brussels Short Film Festival.

The festival runs from 26 June to 18 July, with a few breaks on nights when major football matches are scheduled, to avoid competing with the World Cup. Projections start at around 22:10, when it is finally dark enough, with a welcome from 21:00 and the possibility to grab a drink or a snack at the festival bar, with local associations or nearby businesses. All screenings are free, require no reservation, and are accessible to people with reduced mobility.

Rediscovering Brussels, one screen at a time

One of the most beautiful aspects of Bruxelles fait son cinéma is how it reshapes the city map. The programme spreads across all communes: from Neder‑Over‑Heembeek and its Parc Meudon to Forest and the gardens of the Abbaye, through parks, squares and courtyards that people may cross daily without ever stopping there at night.

Locations like the Abbaye de la Cambre, Parc Astrid, Place Morichar or Parc Meudon become temporary cinemas, with spectators invited to bring plaids, camping chairs and friends. It is a way of turning Brussels into a shared living room where cinema is not locked inside ticketed venues, but offered out in the open. For those who do not always feel at ease in traditional cultural spaces, this kind of event can be more welcoming and less intimidating.

A diverse programme, in original version

The film selection mixes genres and origins: fiction, comedy, drama and more political or intimate works. Among the titles announced this year are Le venue de l’avenir, Les Baronnes, Sorda, Partir un jour, Palestine 36 and Calle Malaga, among others. Some evenings are also paired with short films, highlighting Belgian creators and giving extra visibility to local cinema.

All films are shown in original version, with French subtitles or bilingual FR‑NL subtitles, making the screenings more accessible to a multilingual audience. For a city as mixed as Brussels, that matters: it allows more people to feel included and to access works from different countries without everything being flattened into one language.

Why this speaks to KET’s audience

For LGBTQIA+ people and other marginalised communities, cultural events like Bruxelles fait son cinéma offer several key things:

• Accessibility: free entry, no reservation, public spaces – fewer financial and social barriers.
• Visibility: some of the films touch on questions of migration, identity, memory or minority experiences, even when they are not strictly labelled “queer”.
• Shared space: watching a film in a park at night, surrounded by neighbours, chosen family or people you have never met, can create a sense of belonging to the city that goes beyond nightlife or activism.

In a time where public space is increasingly controlled, commercialised or policed, moments like these – a free film at dusk, on a big screen between trees and apartment blocks – feel quietly political. They say that culture belongs to everyone, including those who cannot always afford tickets or do not see themselves reflected in mainstream programming.

Practical info

• Event: Bruxelles fait son cinéma – 26th edition
• Dates: 26 June – 18 July 2026, with a few rest nights during big football matches
• Places: 19 open‑air locations in the 19 Brussels communes (parks, squares, abbeys, etc.)
• Schedule: welcome from 21:00, screenings at around 22:10 (nightfall)
• Access: free, no reservation, PMR accessible
• Films: original version with FR or FR‑NL subtitles, sometimes preceded by Belgian short films
• Programme & info: <https://bruxellesfaitsoncinema.be>

This summer, if you are staying in Brussels, you do not have to go very far for a cinema moment that feels both simple and special. You just need a jacket, maybe a blanket, and a willingness to share the night with others.

KET Magazine is a community‑driven, non‑profit magazine run by volunteers based in Brussels. Get in touch to share your thoughts or tell us about your activities. You can also promote your events on our website or support our work with a donation. Contact us at Info@ket.brussels.