Vlerick Alumni Fierce & Proud: Fierce Stories with Lukas & Michiel Dhont

A fireside chat in the Chapel at Vlerick Business School, Ghent Introduction text (max. 500 characters) Fierce & Proud, the Vlerick Alumni club for LGBTQIA+ business professionals and allies, invites you to Fierce Stories: a fireside chat with filmmaker Lukas Dhont and producer Michiel Dhont, moderated by our very own Ilse Schooneknaep. Two brothers, three films and one honest conversation about telling the stories that matter, in the Chapel of our Ghent campus. Drinks and bites in the lounge afterwards. Some stories are too personal to keep to yourself. Lukas Dhont turned his into Girl, Close and Coward, three films that took him from Ghent to the Cannes competition and to the Oscars. His brother Michiel co-produced Close and produces Coward, so he knows exactly what it takes to get a story that intimate onto the big screen. This December, the Dhont brothers take a seat in the Chapel of our Ghent campus for an evening of Fierce Stories. Expect the stories behind the films: where they start, how a very personal idea becomes a European production, what it is like to build a career together as brothers, and why the stories we tell about boys, friendship and courage still matter so much. Leading the conversation is our very own Ilse Schooneknaep, film producer, lecturer, Vlerick MBA and member of the Fierce & Proud SteerCo. She knows the Flemish film world from the set to the funding committee, so the questions will go well beyond the red carpet. After the talk we move to the lounge for drinks and bites, the perfect moment to keep the conversation going with alumni, students and allies. Places are limited to 40, so book early. If we sell out, join the waitlist and we will do our best to make room. Programme 19:00: Doors open, welcome in the Chapel 19:30: Fierce Stories, fireside chat with Lukas and Michiel Dhont, moderated by Ilse Schooneknaep 20:45: Reception in the lounge, drinks and appetizers 22:00: Doors close Main text Some stories are too personal to keep to yourself. Lukas Dhont turned his into Girl, Close and Coward, three films that took him from Ghent to the Cannes competition and to the Oscars. His brother Michiel co-produced Close and produces Coward, so he knows exactly what it takes to get a story that intimate onto the big screen. This December, the Dhont brothers take a seat in the Chapel of our Ghent campus for an evening of Fierce Stories. Expect the stories behind the films: where they start, how a very personal idea becomes a European production, what it is like to build a career together as brothers, and why the stories we tell about boys, friendship and courage still matter so much. Leading the conversation is our very own Ilse Schooneknaep, film producer, lecturer, Vlerick MBA and member of the Fierce & Proud SteerCo. She knows the Flemish film world from the set to the funding committee, so the questions will go well beyond the red carpet. After the talk we move to the lounge for drinks and bites, the perfect moment to keep the conversation going with alumni, students and allies. Places are limited to 40, so book early. If we sell out, join the waitlist and we will do our best to make room. Programme 19:00: Doors open, welcome in the Chapel 19:30: Fierce Stories, fireside chat with Lukas and Michiel Dhont, moderated by Ilse Schooneknaep 20:45: Reception in the lounge, drinks and appetizers 22:00: Doors close Practical info Vlerick Alumni: €45 Third parties (non-alumni): €55 Full-time students: free (5 tickets only) Included: the talk, a one-hour drinks reception (Belgian beers, wine, softs) and three gourmet appetizers 40 places available, waitlist when sold out Full refund up to 14 days before the event, name transfer after that Location: Vlerick Business School, Reep 1, 9000 Gent (the Chapel) Lukas Dhont – Film director and screenwriter Lukas Dhont is the Ghent-born director of Girl, Close and Coward. A Cannes regular, with an Oscar nomination for Close. Michiel Dhont – Film producer Michiel Dhont is a film producer. He co-produced Close and produces Coward, taking his brother's films from idea to premiere. Ilse Schooneknaep – Film producer, Poolhert Productions · Moderator Ilse Schooneknaep is a film producer, lecturer and Vlerick MBA alum, specialised in film finance and policy. F&P SteerCo. ALUMNI PARTNER