M ee t t he M e n t o r s
FELIX VANDINGERHUYSEN (Belgium) Personal impression by Xiaojuan Zhou When I first met Felix, he was already an experienced film distributor presiding over his company Jekino, specialising in the Belgian distribution of high quality children’s films from around the world. We have made some deals together and over time our relationship grew from handshakes to hugs and dinner tables. We also forgave each other for both our full names being too complex. Felix has an eye for powerful films and the courage to bring them to his country. No matter how many films he has bought, his excitement was instant when he spotted something new - after a market screening, expect his phone call as he walks out of the cinema, and a few minutes later, his visit to your booth. He is one of the founding fathers of ECFA, an association
that champions cooperation within Europe and beyond. As its first and only Secretary General, he’s a tireless traveller to film festivals and continues to do so after his retirement (even during the 2020 pandemic). I never asked him why he has dedicated his life to children’s films but looking at an always cheerful and trustworthy Felix, why should I even ask? Isn’t that a life I would have wished for myself?! He’s Flemish but also international. His height makes it easy for him to stand out in any crowd. Often you hear his laughter way before you actually see him in person. If both fail, you may still identify him easily by his colourful pants (what a wardrobe he must have!). He is tightly connected with the children’s film industry for four decades
and enjoys a high name recognition. His knowledge, insight, and open-mindedness makes him very big shoes to fill. Felix, if nothing else, as a Chinese Canadian, I was proud to be your first non-European member at ECFA.
With Burny Bos & Xiaojuan Zhou
THE ‘MEET THE MENTORS’ Q&A You have dedicated a big part of your life to quality children’s cinema. Vanginderhuysen: By accident. When my elder brother was studying at the film school in Brussels, I occasionally joined him to his courses, mainly to meet his interesting classmates afterwards. Then one day in 1978 there was a vacancy in a small association: the Flemish Union of Children’s Film Clubs, a voluntary association of teachers and parents organising children’s film screenings all over Flanders, acquired a budget for hiring a professional cultural worker. During the job interview my knowledge of children’s films seemed like zero, but I must have convinced them with my organisational skills. By watching 300 films in the first two years (in the office, at home, in festivals) I gained an understanding of this market, with all its different film cultures and traditions. But I also noticed that the films I liked most were not available on the Belgian market. That’s why in 1983 we launched our own distribution entity. What started as an extraordinary journey now also became a struggle to survive. Who, fictional or real, inspired you the most? Vanginderhuysen: My first inspiration
18 | Journal 01 | 2021
