Film Fest Gent 2026 showcased a strong Flemish film year. Lukas Dhont opened the festival with Coward, written with Angelo Tijssens, which also won the Jo Ropcke Award. Nathalie Teirlinck won the audience award with Jonah Was Here. Jolke Van Aerde received a Grand Prix Special Mention for Jean. Lender Vandevelde won Best Belgian Student Short Film with A Story in White.