Despite new adversities, the Lebanese Film Festival aims to provide a successful and compelling 12th edition this year. “From the beginning we had an energy that we were driving forward,” said actress, filmmaker and teacher Wafa’a Celine Halawi.
“Everyone’s working without hesitation,” she added.
LFF was founded in 2001 by Pierre Sarraf and Nadim Tabet, co-founders of the Ne a Beyrouth film production company. They ran the show for a decade before handing it on to event organizers Bande a Part. The position of festival director now rotates every two years, with Halawi taking the reins for the 2016 edition.
With over 400 submissions received as of Monday’s deadline, the team has its work cut out. This year’s selection committee consists of Wissam Sharaf, Nadim Tabet and Liana Kassir, who intend to choose some 60 films to be screened during the five-day event.
In addition, LFF has partnered with Cinedans of the Netherlands, which has provided films from its official international selection. Works by two Lebanese dance artists will also be projected.
LFF is a competitive festival and this year’s jury is comprised of Souraya Baghdadi, Zeina Daccache and Georges Khabbaz. Organizers also hope to host U.S. screenwriter and director Brad Saunders.
The festival intends to present prizes for best fiction film, best documentary, best first film and best experimental film. The best first film prize is important, Halawi said, as nearly 20 percent of the movies are directorial debuts.
Though enthusiastic about her job, Halawi, inherits a difficult situation.
“It’s been quite challenging for all cultural events this year and the past couple of years,” she said. “A lot of our usual funding channels couldn’t provide us with the same budget they used to.”
She said much of the festival’s previous support has dried up as a result of a deteriorating economic situation as well as the attention being paid to Lebanon’s garbage crisis. As a result, Halawi decided to include this as part of the festival’s image by using #filmsdontsmell in promoting the event.
“There’s a lot of awareness around the garbage situation, which is completely understandable and something I personally support,” Halawi said. “But it doesn’t mean that all cultural events should die, which is why we wanted to be sure to talk about this garbage crisis.”
In response to shrinking financial support, the organizers have turned to crowdfunding. Halfway through their 36-day campaign, the festival has raised $18,570 of its minimal goal of $30,000.
If it wants to bankroll prize money, workshops and other activities, however, the festival needs to raise as much as $50,000.
“The more we get, the more we’ll be able to do,” Halawi said. “We’ve been positively surprised by people’s support and we hope they will continue to support us to reach a decent amount to have a good festival.”
Donations are being incentivized by reward packages for those who contribute at various levels. These offers range from “thank yous” ($10) to a public shout-outs before each screening, VIP tickets to events and red carpet opening and closing ceremonies, and a “wall of fame” photo. Other exclusive content includes an “unforgettable” night at the Grand Meshmosh Hotel at the $5,000 tier.
This year LFF will shift from Metropolis-Sofil to Cinema City at the Beirut Souks shopping mall – which has signed on as a partner and will take a percentage of ticket revenue. TOTAL Liban, the French Institute in Lebanon and Lebanon’s U.S. Embassy also pledged assistance.
Halawi likes the work.
“It feels good because you feel that you’re positively contributing culturally in your own country,” she said. “Being a filmmaker myself, I know the importance of such an event and the importance of the recognition that you can get at home. It’s beautiful to be a part of this. Despite the hectic schedule all the time, all the energy, it’s a blessing.”
She acknowledges her work would be impossible without her management team, including new coordinator Rana Malouf.
“They’re a beautiful team, they’ve been supportive,” Halawi said. “It’s like a family who’s always there. We’re all really nurturing this project and doing everything to make the best of this edition.”
LFF runs from May 30 to June 3 at Cinema City, Beirut Souks. For more information, see http://www.lebanesefilmfestival.org/index.html; for the festival’s crowdfunding campaign, visit http://www.zoomaal.com/projects/lebfilmfest/52073?ref=68977953
By Tom O'Connor
