Lucas Dhont is a renowned Belgian film director and screenwriter who has made a significant impact in the industry at a young age. In 2019, he was recognized as one of the most promising individuals in Europe under the age of 30 by Forbes, featuring on the prestigious 30 Under 30 Europe list.
Born in Ghent, Belgium, Dhont comes from a creative family. His mother, Hilbe, is a fashion teacher at an art school, and his younger brother, Michiel, is a producer. As a teenager, Dhont gained valuable experience in the film industry by working as a costume design assistant on various film and television sets.
In 2018, Dhont made his feature-length debut with the drama film "Girl," which was inspired by the true story of Nora Monsecour. The film tells the story of a trans girl who pursues a career as a ballerina. "Girl" premiered at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Caméra d'Or award for best first feature film, as well as the Queer Palm. The film also received the André Cavens Award for Best Film from the Belgian Film Critics Association (UCC) and was selected as the Belgian entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 91st Academy Awards.
"Girl" received widespread critical acclaim, earning nine nominations at the 9th Magritte Awards and winning four, including Best Flemish Film and Best Screenplay for Dhont. His success with "Girl" established him as a talented and innovative filmmaker.
Dhont's second feature, "Close," starring Emilie Dequenne and Léa Drucker, premiered in competition at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival, where he shared the Grand Prix with Claire Denis' "Stars At Noon." The film also won the Sydney Film Prize in June 2022. "Close" is based on Dhont's own experiences at school and tells the story of the friendship between two boys in their early teens.
As of July 2021, Dhont is developing an untitled film with screenwriter Laurent Lunetta, further solidifying his position as a prominent figure in the film industry. With his unique perspective and storytelling ability, Lucas Dhont is sure to continue making a significant impact in the world of cinema.
