A short film by Gilles Vandeweerd
Ceci n'est pas
un homme
A film about what we inherit.
And what we choose to pass on.
Artistic reference image · © Wim Wenders
A story waiting to be brought to life
Why this film?
What do we pass on
without meaning to?
At the birth of his son, Guillaume falters. Fatherhood itself does not frighten him. What frightens him is what he may pass on despite himself.
As he revisits his childhood and adolescence, he becomes aware of the masculine models that shaped him. The film looks at the ordinary — the silences, gestures and repeated phrases — where inheritance takes root and change can begin.
It seeks neither culprits nor ready-made answers. Instead, it opens a breach: can we interrupt certain patterns and offer another path to the generation that comes next?
“I am not writing this film about a subject. I am writing it from a very personal place, because I cannot do otherwise.”Gilles VandeweerdReference artwork · © Claire Tabouret
Gilles Vandeweerd · writer, director and actorWhy support Gilles?
A story four years in the making.
After more than fifteen years of embodying other people's stories, Gilles moves into directing with the most personal and ambitious film of his journey so far.
Trained at Cours Florent, he has worked across cinema, television and theatre, notably in Le Somnambuliste on ARTE, Le Collier rouge alongside François Cluzet and the series Souviens-toi with Marie Gillain.
As a man and a father, he chooses not to depict spectacular violence, but the intimate machinery that precedes it — and the possibility of refusing to reproduce it.
Why do we need you?
We still need
€40,000
to shoot.
We followed the conventional routes, secured support and built a solid foundation. But public funding rarely takes on the full risk of a first film this ambitious.
Rather than give up, we reconsidered every line of the budget and chose to seek the remaining financing from individuals and companies who want to become part of this adventure.
We will shoot if — and only if — we can give the film the conditions it deserves. The date is set: Liège, from 19 October 2026.
Support the filmA private campaign, a film ready to go, one summer to make the shoot possible.
Why €95,000 for a short film?
Because a vision needs a world.
At the heart of the film, one sequence shifts into a symbolic space: the Hall of Men. A set conceived as an allegory and inhabited by almost 70 actors and extras, where the models men inherit, reproduce and pass on become visible.
Building this world requires precise set design, costumes, lighting, coordination and professional shooting conditions — as well as sound, music, editing, colour grading and distribution.
And after the end credits?
The film must keep living.
Festivals, cinemas, schools, universities, associations and companies: we want every screening to become a space for conversation.
The project is already fostering exchanges with people and organisations engaged with the questions it raises. Their insight will help shape the future programme of screenings, conversations and encounters with audiences.
Our partners will be part of this continuing life of the film, acknowledged at events and recognised as the people who made this conversation possible.
Reference artwork · © Claire TabouretThe film is already coming to life
Mahé Beaudon-Kyriacou will play Paul.
Gilles met Mahé on the set of Elsa Blayau's Notre fils, in which the young actor plays the leading role.
His precision, sensitivity and screen presence made him the natural choice for Paul, the child at the heart of the film's exploration of inheritance. A Franco-Belgian artistic and technical team is already gathering around him.
Discover his workA collective adventure
Three companies. Two countries. One shared standard.
Ceci n'est pas un homme is the first ambitious short film carried by im'act Production. Supporting it also means placing your trust in a new company committed to demanding, humane and necessary work.
Every gesture counts
Your place in the adventure.
€20, €50, €500 or more: there is no such thing as a small contribution. Each one brings us closer to the first day of shooting. Every supporter will be thanked.
Up to €50A first gesture+
- Signed film poster
- Updates on the project
- Your name in the acknowledgements
The director’s eternal and entirely disproportionate gratitude.
€50 to €100The film moves forward with you+
- All previous rewards
- Invitation to a screening of the film
You will be able to say, “I was there before everyone else” — and it will be true.
€100 to €250A more direct link with the film+
- All previous rewards
- Signed poster with a personalised note
- A voice message sent from the shoot
Probably recorded between two takes and a moment of doubt.
€250 to €500A contribution that means a great deal+
- All previous rewards
- Special mention in the credits
- The film script
The moral right to say you are a producer — even if, legally, that is false.
From €500Being there as it happens+
- All previous rewards
- Invitation to spend time with us on set
You will see that, ultimately, everything depends on coffee and very focused people.
Contributions are voluntary forms of support and are not eligible for a tax deduction.
Your turn to step into the story
Be among those
who made
this film possible.
It only takes two minutes: complete the form, then make your contribution by bank transfer or by scanning the QR code.
Make your contribution
Reference: Voluntary contribution - CNPH + First and last name
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Discover the project, the team and all the ways to take part in our complete English-language support pack.
Download the support pack