The seventh edition of the Beirut International Women's Cinema Festival concluded with an awards ceremony held at Grand Cinemas in the ABC Mall in Dbayeh. The festival featured a grand opening ceremony that honored the renowned actress Yousra, along with a packed program over five days, showcasing a selection of outstanding films from more than 35 countries. These films highlighted the leadership role of women in cinema and addressed crucial issues related to women, along with holding discussion panels.
The closing ceremony was attended by the Tunisian Ambassador to Lebanon, Bouraoui Imam, the founder and president of the Beirut Cinematic Society and festival director, Sam Lahoud, members of the jury headed by actress Carmen Lebbes, consisting of prominent Lebanese and foreign producers, directors, actors, and a crowd of industry professionals and cinema lovers. The jury praised the festival's excellent organization and its elevation to an international standard, evident in its ability to attract a large audience and the quality of local, Arabic, and international films presented.
It is noteworthy that this festival was organized by the "Beirut Cinematic Society" for the seventh time under the slogan "Women for Leadership," supported by the Minister of Information in the caretaker government, Ziad Mekari, in collaboration with Cedars Art Production Sabbah Brothers and in partnership with Casino Lebanon and Grand Cinemas.
During the event, Sam Lahoud delivered a speech presenting the activities and future projects of the Beirut Cinematic Society, expressing gratitude to all participants and contributors for the success of this important cultural event. He asserted, "What distinguishes the closing ceremony is that it brings together filmmakers, as everyone speaks the same language, despite our diversity." He addressed them, saying, "After the grand opening ceremony, your films remain the nucleus of the success of this event, and our primary goal is to shed light on humanitarian issues encapsulated in your films, specifically the fundamental messages you convey to the wide audience. Your responsibility is significant in revealing the truth and everything you believe in."
He emphasized the importance of supporting similar events, regardless of the organizing entity, as they are considered an additional cornerstone in our commitment to core issues and our efforts to keep them alive and vibrant. Every participant in this event, by making a film, contributes to collective memory and writing history, because they write true history not just with their own hands but also with the hands of the people.
The awards were distributed in various categories as follows:
- Cinema for Peace Fund Awards in collaboration with Forum ZFD:
- Zainia Khalifa, Elio Tarabieh, and Yara Malek
- Support for the production of a short film from KinoBey for Mario Samoor.
- Official Competition Awards:
- Documentary Films:
- International documentaries: Jury commendation for the Palestinian film "Three Promises," and the Finnish film "Family Stories Untold."
- Best international documentary award goes to the Tunisian film "Four Daughters."
- Lebanese documentaries: Jury commendation for the film "Tilka."
- Best Lebanese documentary: "Dancing On The Edge of a Volcano."
- Feature Films:
- Jury commendation for best actress in the French film "All to Play For."
- Jury commendation for the Polish film "Feast Of Fire."
- Best feature film: the Jordanian film "Inshallah A Boy."
- Dance Films Competition:
- Jury commendation for the Swiss short film "Secure."
- Best short dance film: the American film "She Dreamt Alone."
- Short Documentaries:
- Jury commendation for the short documentary "The Moon will Contain Us" from Costa Rica.
- Best short documentary: the Austrian film "Insight."
- Animation Films:
- Jury commendation for the Canadian short film "In Perpetuum."
- Best animated film: the Armenian film "The Song Of Flying Leaves."
- Short Fiction Films:
- Jury commendation for the Afghan film "Yellow."
- Special mention for best actress in the Iranian film "Spasm."
- Best director: the Turkish film "Cycle."
- Best short fiction film: the Jordanian film "Our Males and Females."
- Lebanese Short Films:
- Jury commendation for the film "Essence" directed by Tia Azar.
- Best Lebanese short film: "Deaf" directed by Roy Arida.
- Audience Choice Award for the film "I Am A Chef," directed by Andrew Dwaif.
