From Tarzan the Ape Man to contemporary animated features, the Luxembourg City Film Festival celebrates cinema from Feb. 26 to March 8 at venues across the city. This year’s program blends classic films, documentaries and imaginative animation, offering screenings, discussions and opportunities to meet filmmakers.
One of the most anticipated entries is the black-and-white documentary Episode of the Sea, the product of a two-year collaboration between directors Lonnie van Brummelen and Siebren de Haan and the residents of Urk. Once an island fishing village in the Netherlands, Urk is now connected to the mainland through land reclamation. The community resisted efforts to transform their lives into farming, and many residents have continued to make their living from the sea. The film examines the determination of lifelong fishermen to preserve their trade and identity.
Also drawing attention is director Esben Toft Jacobsen’s animated film Beyond Beyond (original title: Johan und der Federkönig). In this highly imaginative story, a boy named Johan sets off on an unexpected voyage to search for his long-missing mother. The film combines inventive visuals with an emotional journey, making it a highlight for fans of family-friendly and arthouse animation alike.
The festival’s main screening space is the Mudam Auditorium, located inside the Musée d’Art Moderne Grand-Duc Jean at Park Drai Eechelen. In addition to film showings, the program features events such as Meet the Pros at Ratskeller, Cercle Cité, where attendees can speak with filmmakers and engage in conversations about art, technique and creative process. These sessions offer valuable insights for both industry professionals and film enthusiasts.
With a lineup that ranges from classic Hollywood to contemporary documentary and inventive animation, the Luxembourg City Film Festival presents a varied and thoughtfully curated selection. The combination of screenings, Q&A sessions and networking events makes it an appealing destination for anyone interested in film culture and the creative forces behind it.
Program times, venues and additional festival details are available through the festival’s official listings. Whether you are drawn to compelling real-life stories, richly imagined animated worlds or the chance to meet filmmakers, the festival provides multiple ways to experience and discuss cinema.