Belgian National Lottery’s €1,500 Grant to Porn Film Festival Sparks Controversy

^{Brussels Porn Film Festival, 2026}

Belgium’s National Lottery provided €1,500 in funding to the Brussels Porn Film Festival.

The funding was questioned by MP Vincent Van Quickenborne, who noticed the National Lottery’s logo among the festival’s official partners. He argued that public funds should be directed towards more pressing priorities.

Finance Minister Jan Jambon responded by saying that the event qualifies as a cultural initiative and is consistent with the lottery’s commitment to supporting inclusion and diversity, Het Nieuwsblad reports.

The fifth edition of the Brussels Porn Film Festival took place from April 30 to May 3, 2026. Its programme included sexually explicit films, discussions, performances, exhibitions and workshops, although the publication did not specify the content of the workshops. Organisers describe it as Belgium’s first platform dedicated to alternative pornography.

Jambon also noted that part of the National Lottery’s profits is used to fund cultural, social, health and sports projects.

The minister said that while the festival’s name may sound provocative, the event is intended for an adult audience and aims to encourage public debate.

The National Lottery had previously included the Brussels Porn Film Festival among the film festivals it supports. The policy is part of its broader efforts to support Belgian cinema and cultural events while making them accessible to a wider range of audiences.