Beirut International Women Film Festival 2025

Under the powerful theme "Women for Leadership", the 8th edition of the Beirut International Women Film Festival (BWFF), organized by Beirut Film Society, came to a successful and impactful close, solidifying its position as a premier cultural event in the Arab world that honors women’s voices through cinema.

The festival opened on April 27 with a breathtaking celebration at Casino du Liban, under the esteemed patronage of the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Tourism, in proud partnership with Casino du Liban, Grand Cinemas, and LBCI. The opening featured powerful speeches, tributes to leading women, and exceptional artistic performances, setting the tone for a week of bold storytelling and collective inspiration.

The ceremony began with an evocative message delivered by the festival’s MC Actress Sarah Abi Kanaan, who set the emotional tone for the night:

“Tonight, we gather not just to celebrate cinema, but to celebrate the woman who falls asleep in pain and wakes up in hope. The woman who was thrown into grief, but didn’t break — she bled, stood up, and turned her wounds into art, love, and power. Beirut, like her women, is never defeated — she simply changes form and rises again.”

Director General of the Ministry of Culture, Dr. Ali Al-Samad, representing Minister of Culture Dr. Ghassan Salameh, delivered a speech in which he emphasized the ministry’s positive efforts during this new phase — a phase we hope will bring genuine revival across all fields: “We will remain united around Lebanon’s primary message — the message of culture, creativity, art, and beauty. The festivals of Lebanon in Baalbek, Beiteddine, Byblos, Tyre, and Tripoli will return, and Lebanon will remain a beacon of culture in this region.”

This year’s edition paid tribute to three outstanding women whose leadership transcends their fields:

-          The iconic Tunisian-Egyptian actress Hend Sabry, celebrated for her artistic excellence and her role as a cultural ambassador for Arab women.

-          Dr. Jackie Kassouf Maalouf, recognized for transforming personal adversity into a groundbreaking movement for diabetes awareness across the Arab world.

-          Maysaa Abou Adal, a visionary leader in the business world, whose commitment to legacy, empowerment, and innovation continues to inspire.

-          A new annual award, “Responsible Artist of the Year”, was also inaugurated, with actress Daniella Rahme as its first recipient — celebrated for her talent and her deep sense of responsibility as a public figure.

In a heartfelt ceremony masterfully hosted by Sarah Abi Kanaan, the festival's message of rebirth and empowerment resonated powerfully with the audience. From emotional speeches to poetic tributes, each moment of the evening was a celebration of resilience, art, and the unbreakable will to inspire change through storytelling.

Festival founder and Beirut Film Society president Sam Lahoud addressed the audience with a message that resonated deeply: “We believe that the fate of this small nation is to export human potential that spreads thought, art, and humanity to the world — without ever having been the cause of war or destruction.” “For thousands of years, women have been a pillar in shaping Lebanon’s identity — from Elissar, the founder of Carthage, to Zaynab Fawwaz, the pioneer of Arab feminist thought, along with countless names who left an indelible mark on this land’s journey.”

Lahoud also revealed the official launch of the "My Lebanon, My World" network — a global platform of Lebanese film festivals and cinematic movements in the diaspora: “This initiative aims to connect the Lebanon that stays with the Lebanon that travels — through cinema.”

He reiterated the long-term vision of Film Friendly Lebanon: “Now is the time to realize our dreams — to turn Lebanon into a country that supports, inspires, and welcomes cinematic creation.”

In a major announcement, Producer Lama Al Sabbah, on behalf of Cedars Art Production Sabbah Brothers, launched a groundbreaking initiative with the Beirut Film Society:

“She’s Got the Set” — a project dedicated to protecting women working in the audiovisual industry by establishing safe, inclusive, and equitable environments across the Arab world.

The evening featured stirring performances:

-          A moving dance by Rebecca Samarani, followed by a surprise guest appearance for Actress Daniella Rahme

-          A soulful piano composition by Michel Fadel

-          Inspiring shows by artist Bruno Tabbal & choreographer Sahar Abou Khalil and Sahar Dance Studios

-          Emotional performance by young talent Thalia Lahoud

-          Powerful performance by Tenor Bechara Moufarrej

Running until May 3, the 2025 edition showcases around 100 films from more than 45 countries at Grand Cinemas ABC Dbayeh — a rich lineup of fiction, documentary, animation, experimental, and dance films, accompanied by masterclasses and panels centered around leadership, creativity, and social transformation with red carpet events films with the participation of embassies and international organizations

Key Highlights of the Festival:

1. “She’s Got the Set” Agreement Signing

In a historic moment for the Arab audiovisual industry, Cedars Art Production – Sabbah Brothers and Beirut Film Society signed an official partnership agreement to launch “She’s Got the Set.” This groundbreaking initiative advocates for the protection of women in the audiovisual sector, creating safe, inclusive, and respectful working environments both on-screen and behind the scenes across Lebanon and the Arab world. The project marks a strategic commitment to systemic change and shared accountability across the industry.

2. “My Lebanon, My World” – Diaspora Declaration

Another milestone achievement was the Declaration of Partnership for “My Lebanon, My World” — a global network uniting Lebanese film festivals and cultural movements across the diaspora in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Mexico, France, Australia, and beyond. Initiated by Beirut Film Society, this initiative will establish collaborations with the Ministries of Culture, Tourism, and Foreign Affairs in Lebanon, as well as Lebanese embassies and diplomatic representations abroad, this declaration underscores Lebanon’s global cultural presence and reaffirms the power of cinema to preserve identity, connect generations, and promote peace.

3. Closing Ceremony and Awards

The festival concluded on May 3 with an emotional and celebratory Closing Ceremony held at Grand Cinemas, ABC Dbayeh, where around 100 films from more than 45 countries were screened throughout the week. The awards honored outstanding cinematic achievements across fiction, documentary, animation, dance, and experimental categories & were presented by the jury members.

Best Feature Fiction Film International Competition
Thank You For Banking With Us by Laila Abbas (Palestine, Germany)

Best Feature Documentary Competition in a tie award to two films:
We Are Inside by Farah Kassem (Lebanon, Qatar, Denmark)

Yalla, Baba by Angie Obeid (Lebanon, Belgium, Netherlands, Qatar)

Special Jury Mention International Feature Documentary Competition
House With A Voice by Kristine Nrecaj & Birthe Templin (Germany, Albania, United States)

Special Jury Award International Feature Documentary Competition
Shot The Voice of Freedom by Zainab Entezar (Afghanistan)

Best Short Film Lebanese Competition
Somewhere in Between by Dahlia Nemlich (Lebanon)
Special Jury Mention Lebanese Short Films Competition
How Have You Been by Lynn El Safah (Lebanon)

Best Short Fiction Film International Competition
Aicha by Coralie Lavergne (France)
Special Jury Mention International Short Fiction Films Competition
Washhh by Mickey Lai (Malaysia)
Special Jury Mention for Best Actress International Short Fiction Films Competition
Maria Zrek in Zahra (Jordan)

Best Short Documentary International Competition
Rose by Annika Mayer (Germany)
Special Jury Mention International Short Documentary Films Competition
Our Memories by Alexandra Breznay (France)

Best Short Animation International Competition
Boudoir Doll by Luo Dandan (China)
Special Jury Mention International Short Animation Films Competition
Flocky by Esther Casas Roura (Spain, United States)

Best Short Experimental Film International Competition
Zaxme by Soore Vahe (Iran)

Special Jury Mention International Short Experimental Films Competition
The Fish Tank by Victoria Garza (Mexico)

Best Dance Film
Somber Tides by Chantal Caron (Canada)
Special Jury Mention Dance Films Competition
Historiae Vivae by Iwona Pasinska (Poland)

Best Short Film “Sustainability, Opportunity, Possibility” Competition
Somber Tides by Chantal Caron (Canada)
Special Jury Mention “Sustainability, Opportunity, Possibility” Competition
Everything that Happened Has Already Happened by Vladan Nikolic, Shireen Khaled, Julie Deffet, Luz Marina Zamora (United States)
Special Jury Mention “Sustainability, Opportunity, Possibility” Competition
Fracti by Lavinia Petrache (Switzerland)

Best Short Film “Her Story” Competition
Blue Hour by Marianne Fayad (Lebanon)

Special Jury Mention for Best Actress “Her Story” Competition
Joy Frem in Blue Hour (Lebanon)

Audience Choice Award “Short Films”
The Taste of Honey by Madeleine Hanna (Lebanon)
Audience Choice Award “Her Story” Competition
I Stole the Keys of My Own House by Zinia Khalifeh (Lebanon)

As BWFF 2025 drew to a close, President of Beirut Film Society Mr. Sam Lahoud emphasized:

“This week, our cinema halls were filled- not just with audiences, but with hope, success, courage and shared purpose. This is more than a festival. It is a movement of rebirth and resistance. We’re building safe spaces, connecting with our diaspora, igniting vital conversations and shaping a future where Lebanon is not only known for its wounds but for culture and stories.

With every story told, BWFF reaffirms that:

Women are leading the change. Cinema connects and heals the wounds.

Beirut is alive — fierce, fearless, and forever rising.