ORGANIZED BY
BEIRUT FILM SOCIETY
Beirut Film Society is a Non-for Profit Lebanese organization situated in Beirut, working since 2007 on promoting for “responsible filmmaking”.
Beirut Film Society works on introducing cinema culture as an educative tool to human rights and ethics; and on spreading the Lebanese culture though cinema when and where possible.
Our mission comprises improving the filmmaking industry, empowering and supporting talents and creativity, reinforcing the concept of “responsible filmmaking”, and above all staying committed to its social responsibility in Lebanon and the Arab world, and far beyond.
BFS aims to shape the future of the film industry, by presenting Lebanon as a diverse filming location, and by providing data about film personnel, and other needed filming logistics, to the international companies and filmmakers in order to help them produce high quality audiovisual and film content.
GIRLS FOR CHANGE
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Girls For Change
GIRLS FOR CHANGE program continues to be an initiative created and developed by Beirut Film Society to train Lebanese and Syrian girls between 13 and 18 years old living in the most vulnerable areas in Lebanon on how to use Audio Visual and Film to seek
change and to express themselves.
The training program, covered so far most Lebanese regions, with more than 500 beneficiaries resulting the production of more than 30 short films written and directed by the girls under the supervision of BFS team of trainers.
In this program, Beirut International Women Film Festival & Beirut International Children and Family Film Festival are committed to social issues and aim to contribute to the SDG's 4 and 5, Quality Education and Gender Equality.
NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR
At the Beirut International Women Film Festival, the 50/50 gender distribution in the global film’s industry; this is where we want to head to. Women are structurally underrepresented in professional roles that include high levels of creative and
economic decision-making power.
We are committed to enhance gender equality in the audiovisual sector and we believe
that women and men should be in this together.
It is time to regroup and re-energize our quest to create a more equal, a more sustainable and a more innovative world in which all people can realize their human rights without discrimination and without fear.
We want to look to the future beyond the crisis, rather than doubling down on the mistakes of the past. We want an opportunity to build a new, economic model that works for women and men, and a world that is safe for women, children and vulnerable communities. Such economic models prioritize both care for people, and care for our planet.
The Beirut International Women Film Festival contributes to the realization of Goal 4 by giving women filmmakers opportunities to reach leading positions in the culture sector and by changing the culture of male-dominance within the film industry thus opening up new opportunities for enhancing the diversity of cultural expressions. These objectives also relate directly to SDG 5 by enhancing equal opportunities for women and men and by ensuring the continued monitoring of legislation to promote gender equality in the film industry.
At the Beirut International Women Film Festival, we want to call policy makers and decision makers to start with protecting women’s equal rights and repealing discriminatory laws. We call for special measures and quotas to ensure equal
representation, and we highlight the need for equal pay as well as job protection and social protection policies. We want national and global commitments to change the lives of women, including the change in policies.
For all women, raise the voice and keep saying it loudly:
“Power is very rarely given, you have to take it.”
Sam Lahoud
Founder, Chair – Beirut Film Society
Founder, Director – Beirut International Women Film Festival
