Belgium’s oldest film distributor Belga Films collapses after 89 years

Belgium’s oldest independent film distributor, Belga Films, has been liquidated in a major blow to the country’s cinema sector.

Belgian newspaper Le Soir first reported that the commercial court of Walloon Brabant declared the company bankrupt on February 12. 

The decision also includes the closure of its subsidiary White Cinema, located in the Docks Bruxsel shopping center in Brussels. 

The eight-screen complex, which seats 950 people and employed 14 full-time staff, opened in 2017 with the ambition of offering a modern cinema experience.

CEO Patrick Vandenbosch said the company was severely impacted by declining attendance in Brussels. 

According to him, cinema audiences in and around the city have dropped 30% since 2019 and 40% over the past decade. 

He cited the lingering effects of the pandemic and local traffic changes as key factors affecting accessibility and revenue.

Despite the shutdown of its distribution and cinema operations, Vandenbosch stressed that sister companies 

Belga Studios and Netherlands-based Independent Films remain unaffected. He confirmed both companies continue to operate with strong growth plans.

Founded in 1937, Belga Films built a reputation through releases including The Hunger Games, La La Land, John Wick, and The Piano. 

While its closure marks the end of an era, Vandenbosch remains optimistic, saying the future belongs to companies willing to adapt to new market realities.