Framed Memories: A Beirut Shorts Film Festival Picture Showcase
About Beirut Shorts
Our Mission
Beirut Shorts International Film Festival is celebrated annually under its constant theme, “The Power of Youth.” As the theme reflects, the Mission of Beirut Shorts is to (a) promote young filmmakers by screening their films in front of a large audience base, and (b) promote their talents and artistic excellence.
BSIFF accepts both Lebanese and international short films in all mentioned categories: Fiction, Documentary, Animation, Experimental, Web & New Media; applicants may be graduating students or independent filmmakers.
The center where the Festival is held is a well-equipped, boasting state-of-the-art technology in sound and video. The center is formed of two theater screening halls, and two halls for workshops and seminars. The festival audience includes professional filmmakers, film and audiovisual arts students, film lovers, general audience, in addition to international guests coming from different countries.
Beirut Shorts believes in providing equal opportunities for Lebanese and foreign participants “in a spirit of openness that embraces all cultures, regardless of race, gender, color, religion, or sect;” BSIFF “promotes diversity, respect for human dignity and rights, and concern for the common good.”
Organized by: Beirut Film Society
www.beirutfilmsociety.org
Beirut Shorts is your shortcut to the OSCARS
The Beirut Shorts International Film Festival has proudly attained the status of an Academy Awards (OSCARS) Qualifying Film Festival, the first of its kind in Lebanon and among few in the Arab world. This milestone provides an unprecedented opportunity for Lebanese and international filmmakers, as films that win in three official competition categories—Best Live Action, Best Documentary, and Best
Note From The Director
As we open the 19th edition of the Beirut Shorts International Film Festival, my heart turns once
more to this city that has given us both storms and colors, both clouds and rays of light. Beirut is
not only our home, it is our heartbeat: a city that, despite everything, continues to rise, to
dream, and to create.
This year, more than ever, our festival is a declaration of hope. It is our wish that Lebanon
remains a place full of colors: not only in its landscapes and its streets, but in its stories, its
creativity, and in the spirit of its youth. Through cinema, we affirm our belief that even in the
darkest times, the screen can reflect light, resilience, and transformation.
The 19th edition is also a testament to collaboration. Our strength lies in the partnerships we
build: with filmmakers, cultural institutions, and organizations that believe, as we do, in
cinema’s power to connect, to heal, and to inspire. Together, we are weaving a network of
creativity that extends far beyond Lebanon, yet always returns to Beirut.
It is with great pride that we celebrate this edition in Metropolis Cinema Beirut, a space that
embodies our mission and our dreams. Here, we gather not only to watch films, but to build
bridges, to exchange ideas, and to affirm that Beirut, despite all its challenges, remains a capital
of culture and creativity.
May this festival be another step in our collective journey: a journey of cinema, of hope, and of
a Lebanon that will always breathe in color.
Sam Lahoud
Founder, President, Beirut Film Society
Founder, Director, Beirut Shorts
Note From The Program & Artistic Director
As the Program and Artistic Director of Beirut Shorts, I am proud to present a festival that stands as a mark of excellence in Lebanon’s cinematic landscape and beyond. Beirut Shorts is more than a celebration of short films, it is a bold and dynamic platform that honors the short form as a daring cinematic expression that challenges all kind of boundaries.
Each year, we bring together a carefully curated selection of powerful, diverse, and thought-provoking works from Lebanon and across the globe, alongside a rich program of panels, workshops, and networking events that encourage dialogue and professional growth.
While we are deeply committed to empowering Lebanese filmmakers and offering them real opportunities, our international outreach ensures that every selected film, regardless of its country of origin, is given the exposure, visibility, and recognition it deserves.
We consider our festival not only a space for screening films, but a hub of research, discovery, innovation, inspiration, and cultural exchange. Beirut Shorts is not just a festival, it is a movement, a meeting point, and a vital contributor to the evolution of the short film craft in Lebanon and on the international stage.
Nicolas Khabbaz, PhD
Founder, Program and Artistic Director
MEET THE ARTIST BEHIND THE POSTER
Najwa Mallah, Head of Branding and Design
Najwa Mallah is a Beirut based Art Director, she holds a BA in Multimedia and an MA in Design.
Najwa has built a diverse career through small and large-scale projects across various
industries. Najwa draws inspiration from everyday life to craft innovative ideas that resonate with
audiences. Whether working with teams or independently, Najwa is always on the lookout for
new ways to push the boundaries of design while maintaining a focus on quality and client
vision.
Najwa is the Head of Branding and Design at Beirut Film Society; among her work is the Beirut Shorts International Film Festival and the Beirut International Women Film Festival. and others