Beiruting News

In a triumph for Lebanese inspiration, our cinema commanded the spotlight at France's Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, the number one short film festival in the world, where Lebanon's vibrant storytelling traditions and artistic innovation were celebrated as the guest of honor at this globally renowned event. Under the patronage of Lebanon's Ministries of Information and Tourism, Beirut Film Society (BFS) led an unprecedented 55-member delegation at this prestigious festival, which drew over 160,000 attendees and screened more than 400 films from January 31 to February 8, 2025, marking our nation's largest cultural representation in international cinema since years.

The Lebanese presence at the festival was structured through multiple distinctive programs. The centerpiece 'Focus Lebanon' presented a retrospective of remarkable short films, showcasing our nation's cinematic journey from the past two decades. This was complemented by 'MAABAR,' an innovative podcast series, and 'Letters,' a unique collaborative project by Joseph Khallouf featuring 18 Lebanese directors. The program featured 14 live-action films, 5 documentaries, and one animation, distributed across six thematic sessions. Special retrospectives honored the works of pioneering filmmaker Jocelyne Saab and festival alumnus Wissam Charaf, while 'Decibel' explored Lebanon's sonic landscapes. The opening ceremony at Maison de la Culture captivated audiences with screenings of "Warsha" by Dania Bdeir, and Ely Dagher's "Waves '98," a touching reflection on Beirut's post-war transformation; moreover, the program celebrated recent international successes, including Michelle and Noel Keserwany's "Les Chenilles" (Golden Bear 2023), showcasing Lebanon's rising generation of filmmakers.

Lebanese cinema's excellence shone through in the festival's competitive sections. Samir Syriani's "What If They Bomb Here Tonight?" in the International Competition reflected contemporary Lebanese anxieties. Alia Haju's experimental "Ship of Fools" won the special jury award in the Labo Competition, while "Le Diable et la Bicyclette" by Sharon Hakim represented Lebanese-French co-production possibilities in the French Competition and won the National student award.

Throughout the week-long festival, thousands of visitors engaged in the cultural programs. Two significant roundtable discussions shaped the discourse: "Youth in the Lebanese Cinema" featured Sam Lahoud, Noel Keserwany, Manon Nammour, and Josef Khallouf, with Sarah Hajjar, , as moderator. A second pivotal panel, "what shorts fight for and how?" with Nicolas Khabbaz, , sharing insights on festival curation and short film advocacy. The cultural dimension was enriched by Wissam Charaf's masterclass, photography exhibition by Lara Tabet, visual art by Brahim Samaha (the designer of the Lebanon Retrospective poster), and an enchanting musical performance by Nâr (Nadine Daou).

At the bustling Short Film Market, where 3,000 international industry professionals gathered, the Lebanese pavilion emerged as a dynamic cultural hub. BFS presented three distinguished festivals: the Academy Award-qualifying Beirut International Short Film Festival, Batroun Mediterranean Film Festival and Beirut International Women Film Festival. The delegation conducted several strategic meetings, paving the way for co-production opportunities and festival partnerships that promise to enhance Lebanese cinema's global presence.

Lebanese hospitality transformed the pavilion into a cultural salon, where traditional offerings - from our renowned wines and arak to traditional bites - facilitated meaningful exchanges. This cultural initiative, supported by L'Institut Français du Liban, Brookwood Capital Advisors, Batroun International Festival, and WeBrand, demonstrated how Lebanese creativity thrives despite significant economic challenges.

During the official reception at Clermont-Ferrand City Hall, hosted by Mr. Olivier Bianchi, Mayor of Clermont-Ferrand and President of Clermont Auvergne Metropole, BFS President Sam Lahoud delivered a poignant address celebrating Lebanon's cultural resilience. In his speech, Lahoud emphasized the profound historical and cultural ties between France and Lebanon, particularly acknowledging the role of young Lebanese artists in bridging cultures. "Our young artists aren't just dreamers; they are architects of cultural bridges," he declared, highlighting their unique ability to synthesize Eastern and Western influences.

The evening concluded with Lahoud presenting Mayor Bianchi with an artwork crafted from Lebanese cedar, symbolizing the enduring friendship between the two nations and their shared commitment to cultural exchange. This gesture marked not just the end of a successful festival presence, but the beginning of strengthened cultural ties between Lebanon and France.

The Lebanese pavilion received distinguished visits from both Mayor Bianchi and the Prefect of Puy-de-Dôme, who expressed their admiration for Lebanon's rich cultural contribution to the festival. "What we've witnessed here is more than a film showcase; it's a testament to Lebanon's enduring creative spirit," noted Mayor Bianchi, while committing to exploring further cultural collaboration opportunities between Clermont-Ferrand and Lebanese cultural institutions.

Festival Director Eric Roux praised "the extraordinary vitality of Lebanese cinema that persistently innovates despite unprecedented challenges," emphasizing the festival's commitment to supporting emerging voices from Lebanon. Throughout the festival, BFS successfully facilitated numerous collaborations between Lebanese filmmakers and international industry professionals, fostering partnerships between film societies and cultural institutions from both nations. These connections have already yielded several co-production agreements and festival exchange programs, demonstrating BFS's pivotal role in creating sustainable platforms for cultural cooperation.

Building on this momentum, BFS announces "Retour de Clermont" at Cinema Montaigne, Institut français du Liban (February 20, 2025, 19:30). This special evening will feature competition films and delegation insights, continuing the cultural dialogue and offering our local audience a taste of this international celebration while showcasing the new partnerships and opportunities developed during the festival.