The National Lottery is funding a porn festival in Brussels
•
6 Oct 2026 •
Reading time: 2 minutes
The Belgian National Lottery’s financial contribution to the Brussels Porn Film Festival has raised questions in the Chamber of Representatives. When questioned about this funding, Finance Minister Jan Jambon defended a decision which he considers consistent with the National Lottery’s objectives of inclusion, diversity and support for culture.
A logo that catches a MP’s eye
Vincent Van Quickenborne, former Federal Minister for Justice and former Deputy Prime Minister, noticed the National Lottery’s logo at the bottom of a poster for the Brussels Pornographic Film Festival, listed amongst the festival’s official sponsors.
This led him to take an interest in the event’s funding. The MP then decided to question the government in the Chamber about this public contribution of around 1,500 euros. Vincent Van Quickenborne raised broader questions about the scope of the subsidy policy.
A festival that claims a cultural dimension
The Brussels Pornographic Film Festival does not present itself solely as an event for screening adult films. According to its own description, it aims to help reduce the stigma surrounding pornography and to secure recognition of its place in the history of cinema.
The event also claims to focus on alternative forms of pornography. It advocates a feminist approach centred on sexual and gender minorities.
This focus lies at the heart of the government’s justification. For Jan Jambon, the explicit nature of the subject matter is not sufficient in itself to automatically exclude the festival from the cultural sphere eligible for support.
Jan Jambon also points out that the National Lottery’s profits are invested, in particular, in culture and in projects aimed at strengthening social cohesion.
An application approved without debate by the relevant committee
According to Jan Jambon, the grant application did not give rise to any particular disagreement within the National Lottery. The application is said to have been approved without discussion by the institution’s relevant committee.
Furthermore, the amount granted remains modest: around 1,500 euros.
The National Lottery is not the only public institution contributing to the funding of the event. The Brussels-Capital Region and the City of Brussels are also providing financial support to the festival.