Restauration, ANNOUNCEMENT
70 years later, the "Seagulls" fly back to Cannes
The restoration of Seagulls Dying in the Harbour has been selected for Cannes Classics 2026
06.05 2026
70 years later, the "Seagulls" fly back to Cannes
There are films that mark history, and then there are those that transform it. In 1956, Seagulls Die in the Harbour (Meeuwen sterven in de haven) became the first Belgian feature film in history to be selected for the Official Competition at the Cannes Film Festival. In 2026, seventy years after that historic breakthrough, this cult masterpiece is set to return to the Croisette in a brand-new restoration by CINEMATEK.
© Eyeworks - Collections CINEMATEK
A Gem of Antwerp Film Noir
Driven by the magnetic charisma of Julien Schoenaerts and the grace of the iconic Dora Van Der Groen, Seagulls die at the Habour is a melancholic drift through the dark corners of the Harbour of Antwerp. Balancing expressionist aesthetics with a haunting jazz soundtrack, filmmakers Roland Verhavert, Ivo Michiels, and Rik Kuypers created a radical work that is now considered one of the pillars of Belgian cinema.
Behind the Scenes at DIGILAB: The Challenge of Water
To make this return to Cannes possible, the teams at CINEMATEK’s DIGILAB performed meticulous craftsmanship to restore the film’s original brilliance. This marks the first time a restoration conducted entirely within our own laboratory has been selected for Cannes Classics.
The technical challenge was significant: scanning every frame in 4K to recover the film’s original grain. An unexpected obstacle? The light reflections on the harbor water. During the scanning process, these interplay of mirrors created complex artifacts that our restorers had to treat with surgical precision to preserve the unique photographic vision intended by the directors in 1955.
Such a restoration project is, above all, the fruit of collaboration. When the original negative of a Belgian film is preserved, the task might seem straightforward at first: scanning at the highest possible resolution, digital restoration using modern tools, and final color grading using vintage prints as a reference. Yet, every restoration follows its own unique path, and this film was no exception. In reel three, one shot was so severely damaged that we were forced to source the scene from a projection print—possibly the very same one screened at Cannes in 1956. For the sound as well, we had to combine several sources to reconstruct the best possible quality. Teamwork is crucial in such projects, and I sincerely thank the Digilab team for their relentless commitment.
(Bruno Mestdagh, coordinator digital collections)
An Unprecedented Restoration Model
If the "Seagulls" are coming back to life today, it is also thanks to exemplary synergy between the public and private sectors. The film’s rescue was made possible by an innovative funding model combining public support via Belspo (Federal Science Policy) and the players of the National Lottery; private patronage and crowdfunding; structural partnerships with B-architecten, Erasmus Hogeschool and RITCS in collaboration with Wouter Hessels; as well as CINEMATEK’s own resources.
This selection at Cannes is not just a victory for CINEMATEK; it is proof that our shared heritage is alive, vibrant, and ready to conquer the world once again.
© Eyeworks - Collections CINEMATEK
Support CINEMATEK
Become a Guardian of Your Film Heritage
Preserving our heritage is a collective endeavor. While the return of the "Seagulls" to Cannes is a triumph, thousands of other films still wait in the shadows of our archives to be restored to their former glory.
That is why, starting June 1, 2026, CINEMATEK is launching the Support Ticket.
How does it work? When booking your seat, you will now have the option to choose a Support Ticket of €10: €7 covers your admission (standard ticket) and €3 is donated directly to a specific restoration project.
Each year, we will highlight a particular film or collection that this ticket will help save. You will know exactly which work you are helping to protect for future generations.
For those who wish to go further in supporting our mission of conservation and transmission, other forms of engagement exist. You can choose to make a one-off donation or even include CINEMATEK in your will, ensuring that your passion for the seventh art endures through the centuries.
To make a donation or learn more about legacies: donate.cinematek.be