We understand the challenges of bringing a film to life. However, what is often overlooked is the crucial next step: distribution.
Making films is an art, and ensuring your story is seen is an art in itself. You put your heart, soul, tears, and money into producing, directing a film, and when it’s finished, you’re faced with a harsh reality: it's hard to make it seen.
Hors du bocal is an international film sales company focused on promoting and fostering the export of independent films from emerging filmmakers. Whether your film followed a traditional or unconventional production path, we are interested in works that resonate, challenge, and inspire in both form and substance. If we feel confident in our ability to advocate for your film in the market, we will support and uplift it. From managing international distribution strategies, festivals, and sales, we are here to push your film towards success.
We are aware that not everyone starts on an equal footing in art due to structural disparities, especially in terms of film school education, networking opportunities, and subsequent production access. Our team firmly believes that diversity, inclusion, and innovation stem from stories that defy convention, aligning with the essence of being "out of the box" or "Hors du bocal" as it means in French, "Out of the Fishbowl." Hors du bocal's mission is to search out and showcase outstanding cinematic pearls, taking them out of the fishbowl and into the spotlight.
We have the approach of representing a select number of films, around ten, primarily short films with a demanding curation. Among these films are works such as "Un Invincible Été" by Arnaud Dufeys (Berlinale – Generation; Belgium), "Mascarade Origin Story" by Maïlis (Clermont-Ferrand Festival; Canada), "Radikals" by Arvin Belarmino (Cannes Critics’ Week; Philippines), "Phoenix" by Roxanne Peguet (BIFFF; Luxembourg), "Suleyman" by Mehdi and Yanis Hamnane (Côté Court Pantin; France), and "Bingo" by Fanny Ruwet (Cabourg Film Festival; Belgium, France).
We are proud to support self-produced short films from mostly self-taught filmmakers whose careers we actively support, including "Shellshock" by Rafi El Watik (Palm Springs; France), "Makan" by Ghanwa Rana (Francophone Festival of Acadie; France, Pakistan), "The Sky Above the City" by Rosalie Loncin (Stuttgart Festival of Animated Film; France), as well as the student film "Ruby Alia Ritchy" by Mika Baudoux (Warsaw Festival; Belgium).
We are now transitioning to feature films, representing two documentary titles: "Les Miennes" by Samira El Mouzghibati, produced by Michigan (Belgium) and presented at festivals such as Visions du Réel, Munich, Lussas, FIFIB, RIDM, and Marrakech, as well as "Okurimono" by Laurence Lévesque (Canada), produced by Meta Films and presented at Visions du Réel, Hot Docs, and RIDM.
Founder of Hors du Bocal
Zahra Benasri was born in Liège, Belgium. She studied European Politics at Maastricht in the Netherlands. After graduating, she decided to focus on what she was always passionate about: cinema. She gained experience at film festivals (FIFF Namur) and film marketing in Paris. She moved to Brussels and worked at Best Friend Forever, international film sales company as a Sales and Festivals Assistant. Later as Production Manager at Daylight Films.
She directed two self-produced short films, la petite honte (the litte shame) a live action and During 12 years, I was born on May 6th, a documentary that was screened at several international festivals.
Sun in Aquarius, rising in Cancer, moon in Leo, she dreams of a world with political films where goldfish would swim in beers.
She manages festival follow-up and sales at Hors du bocal.
Amélie Poulain by Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Most underrated filmInnocence by Lucile Hadzihalilovic
Guilty pleasureNeuilly sa mère by Gabriel Julien-Laferrière
Xavier has studied image diligently. He spends most of his time in dark rooms as he is film colorist for more than 16 years. During his teenage years, he worked in the lighting department of a theater. He has studied photography and cinematography at HELB Prigogine in Brussels. He has created the postproduction section in the same school. Post-production of cinema is his expertise. In addition to being a professor of color grading and post-production, he has graded over 50 films. Xavier has a tendency to save poorly looking films to give them back their colors.
His cat's name is Horse (he is also an Aquarius).
Xavier manages the technical part of Hors du bocal films.
Film you've watched 100000000 timesPersona by Ingmar Bergman
Most underrated filmJapan by Carlos Reygadas
Guilty pleasureThe Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Axelles has made a preparatory class and a Master's Degree in Cinema and Audiovisual in Paris la Sorbonne (including a semester at NYU New York University). She worked as a camerawoman and editor for brand, creative content and cinema. Passionate about illustration and graphic design, she brings an artistic eye to everything she touches
She is not Aquarius but Cancer!
Axelle has created Hors du bocal logo and make the graphic design of promotional assets (posters, trailers, promotional material) for Hors du bocal films.
Film you've watched 100000000 timesFrances Ha by Noah Baumbach
Most underrated filmsStarlet by Sean Baker
Guilty pleasure10 things I hate about you by Gil Junger