US author and screenwriter Bret Easton Ellis has been named president of the international jury of the 41st Film Fest Gent (14 to 25 October).

In 1985, at the age of twenty-one, Ellis conquered the world with his first novel Less Than Zero. He consistently retained his cult status with The Rules of Attraction, the controversial and acclaimed American Psycho and The Informers. The novels all received film adaptations after being released.

Since finishing his last novel Imperial Bedrooms, which was a sequel of sorts to Less Than Zero, he has been focusing on screenplays. He wrote and coproduced The Canyons by Paul Schrader, starring Lindsey Lohan. The film was screened at the last edition of Film Fest Gent, which then had its focus on American Independent Cinema.

Patrick Duynslaegher, artistic director of Film Fest Gent, on choosing Ellis as president of the jury: "Bret Easton Ellis is not only one of the most important and influential contemporary American writers, he’s also a real film buff who apparently devours movies daily and is open to all kinds of cinema from European art house
to Hollywood blockbusters. He has a substantiated opinion on everything he sees and doesn’t hesitate to take contrarian and provocative point of views. This is what makes him an ideal president of the festival jury."

The official competition is an important segment of the festival. The international jury will honour features with the award for Best Film and the Georges Delrue award for Best Soundtrack. In the past, international guests in the jury of the festival have been: Jeanne Moreau, Mike Figgis, Christoper Lee, Michael Haneke and Jessica Woodworth. Previously the following films have been awarded for Best Film: The Selfish Giant, Tabu, Elena and Die Fremde.

Film Fest Gent is looking forward to host the established European film event for the 41st time with international guests and premieres, film music concerts and the 14th edition of the World Soundtrack Awards. More news and additional names of jurors will be announced soon.

Film Fest Gent takes place from 14 until 25 October 2014 at Kinepolis Ghent, Vooruit, Studio Skoop, Sphinx, Bijloke, KASKcinema, Caermersklooster and Kuipke. Tickets and all info can be found on our website: www.filmfestival.be and www.worldsoundtrackawards.com.

A NEW NIGHTWISH ALBUM IS COMING!

Enjoy the first episode of „the making of" the new Nightwish album, which is scheduled to be released before summer 2015

World-renowned Japanese musician and composer Ryuichi Sakamoto says he has throat cancer and has canceled his scheduled shows and activities.

The Oscar-winning composer and anti-nuclear activist said Thursday that he was diagnosed with oropharyngeal cancer at the end of June.

"I was diagnosed with cancer of the upper throat in June and will undergo immediate treatment," said Sakamoto. "I deeply apologise to my fans and everyone involved in my current projects for having to make this unavoidable decision."

He added: "I will be sure to fully recover and then return."

Raised in a musical family (their grandfather is renowned film composer John Williams and their father is songwriter/composer Jay Gruska), siblings Barbara and Ethan have a strong familial chemistry, which, along with their obvious songwriting gifts, has resulted a thrilling debut. The Belle Brigade’s music is artfully arranged, with enticing melodies and pop harmonies, fueled by the interplay of driving rhythms between Barbara's drums and Ethan's guitars. Both are gifted songwriters – finding inspiration in the works of Peter Gabriel, John Lennon, The Beach Boys, Sly Stone, Harry Nilsson and countless others.

When they find time away from the band, both are active players and writers for other projects - Ethan has recorded as a vocalist and multi instrumentalist for many Los Angeles based artists and Barbara is a sought-after drummer who has played with Fiona Apple, Jenny Lewis, Benji Hughes and many others.

The Belle Brigade has appeared on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and “Conan” and their compelling live performances have led to tours with such artists as Dawes, Blitzen Trapper and Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. They contributed songs to the Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn Part 1 soundtrack and their cover of Bob Dylan's "No Time To Think," which appeared on the Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty International, was voted in the top 10 songs of 2012 by Time.

‘Just Because’ track listing:

1. Ashes

2. When Everything Was What it Was

3. Likely To Use Something

4. Be Like Him

5. Miss You In My Life

6. How I See It

7. Not The One

8. Metropolis

9. Everything For A Stone

10. Back Where You Began

“The self-possessed New Yorkers threaten to break into a sweat on this wonderfully frenzied opener to their new album, spiky guitars and dynamic grooves underpinning Paul Banks’s ominous vocals” – Q

“The jewel in ‘El Pintor’s’ crown” – NME

Interpol will release ‘All The Rage Back Home’ on August 18. The track is the first to be taken from ‘El Pintor’, the bands first album in four years, which will be released on September 8 through [PIAS] Co-Op.

‘El Pintor’ can be pre-ordered now from iTunes worldwide at itunes.com/Interpol. Fans who pre-order the album will receive an instant download of ‘All The Rage Back Home’. The track will also be available as a limited edition 7”.

Watch the accompanying video for ‘All The Rage Back Home’ here: