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
In its 2nd edition 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, supported by UNICEF, funded by Government of the United States,
covered in its 2nd edition 5 Lebanese regions: Hrar /Akkar, Tripoli /Zgharta, Bourj Hammoud,
Baalbeck, Kesrouan, with more than 120 participants resulting 10 short films written and
directed by the girls under the supervision of BFS team of trainers.
Beirut International Women Film Festival & Beirut International Children and Family Film
Festival will be screening those films as a special program on Thursday, March 12 at Grand
Cinemas- ABC Dbayeh, at 1:00 P.M
NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR
The Cinema industry is making tremendous efforts to equally represent men and women in consecutive trials in order to fill the gender barrier gap on screen and behind the camera. In comparison to the past years, the scripts and stories look to be quickly evolving with more women taking the lead and putting the light on some key success factors on how to enter the industry, the importance of networking opportunities and the significance of women’s determination and preservation in their filmmaking careers.
So what does the future hide for women working and leading in the creative industries and how can inspirational women filmmakers face the obstacles that stand in their way to not only shine in their career but also to promote more for gender equality in the field of filmmaking?
We should be able to see how the industry can recreate itself, offer more opportunities as well as celebrate the huge creative efforts of women filmmakers who are responsible for a significant contribution to the diversity of the industry and its economy. The future of women in the Arab Film Industry will no doubt be more advanced; we must hustle hard but there is for sure a light waiting for us at the end of the tunnel.
At the Beirut International Women Film Festival we want to inspire a world of positive change, deliver educational and supportive workshops, focus on innovation and entrepreneurship opportunities in this creative industry. We want to encourage women to not be demotivated by the past but to keep pushing forward, believe in themselves, their stories and their ideas and not to forget the power of solidarity. Women can achieve more if their hands are together, ready to empower each other by exchanging resources, opportunities and knowledge.
At the Beirut International Women Film Festival, it is our responsibility to fortify women’s voices that will undoubtedly echo the sound of future, evolution, progress, future and development for our country and for our Arab region.
Let us all work towards Women for Change.
Let us all work towards Women For leadership.
Sam Lahoud
Founder, Chair – Beirut Film Society
Founder, Director – Beirut International Women Film Festival
