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The Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival concluded on Saturday, February 8, marking a particularly memorable edition with a special focus on Lebanon. Two Lebanese films in the official competition received Jury Awards. Here’s a look back at the 47th edition of the festival and the awards ceremony.
Lebanon was the guest of honor at this year’s 47th edition of the Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival, with a rich program featuring films, discussions and cultural events highlighting Lebanese cinema and its talents. The event was co-organized with the Beirut Film Society, an organization supporting film production and distribution in Lebanon and beyond.
During the festival’s closing day on Saturday, February 8, several award-winning films were honored, including two Lebanese films among the three that competed in the official selection (Ship of Fools, What if They Bomb Here Tonight and Le Diable et la Bicyclette).
With great enthusiasm, the audience gave a long round of applause to Ship of Fools (Lebanon, Germany) by Alia Haju, which won a Special Mention from the Student Jury in the Labo category as well as the Special Jury Prize in the Labo section. Shot amidst the chaos of Beirut, the film follows a man on a quest to acquire superpowers. The director, who also stars in the film, accompanies him through his training to become a superhero. Together, aided by their personal demons, they strive to rediscover Lebanon’s lost essence. This documentary-animation hybrid deeply moved both the jury and the audience.
The second Lebanese film in competition, Le Diable et la Bicyclette (France, Lebanon) by Sharon Hakim, explores the coming-of-age journey of a 13-year-old Lebanese girl from a multi-faith family. As she prepares for her first communion, she initiates a ritual of a completely different nature, intertwining religious tradition with personal awakening. The film won the Student Award in the French films section and was highly praised by both the jury and the audience for its emotional depth and authenticity.
These awards, granted to two Lebanese films among more than 140 competing titles across four categories (International, Labo, French and Immersive Films), underscore the excellence of Lebanese cinema. Despite Lebanon’s socio-economic challenges, its filmmakers continue to shine on the international stage. This well-deserved recognition honors artists who transform their struggles and emotions into powerful cinematic works that transcend borders.
Spotlight on Lebanese Cinema
The festival featured two main themes: Lebanon and sound in cinema. A special session titled Decibels merged both themes, showcasing the significance of music in Lebanese culture. This program highlighted notable international musical collaborations, such as the partnership between Suuns and Jerusalem in My Heart (Canada, Lebanon), alongside French talents like the band PAR.SEK and Alexandre Delano.
As part of the Lebanon Focus, two special film collections were presented. The first, the Jocelyne Saab Collection, featured three films restored between 2019 and 2022, offering a poignant depiction of Beirut and its people. The second, Letters, curated by Josef Khallouf (The Film Monk), brought together 17 films blending epistolary exchanges, poetry and documentary elements to paint a deeply moving and complex portrait of Beirut and Lebanon.
Lebanese cinema, despite years of profound political and economic crises, remains a fertile ground for bold and innovative storytelling. The four programs dedicated to Lebanon, featuring 20 films, testify to this resilience. Even amid upheavals, Lebanese filmmakers continue to reinvent themselves, blending genres and styles influenced by personal experiences, diverse references and a deep connection to their country’s reality.
The Beirut Film Society also participated in the Short Film Market, where it showcased additional Lebanese films beyond the festival’s official selection. Among them was Loin de Là by Lebanese director Mario Ghabali, a film discovered at the Beirut Women Film Festival and set to screen in 2025. Speaking with This is Beirut, Ghabali reflected on his creative process and the opportunity to present his work at Clermont-Ferrand. “I am obsessed with subtlety and aim to explore complex emotions without making them overt,” he explained. While not autobiographical, his film resonates with personal experiences. “Since the war, I have felt the need to create a Lebanese film in Arabic, one that moves beyond war and politics to focus on my loved ones and personal memories. I am currently working on this project while Loin de Là is being selected for festivals in New Zealand and the US,” he added. This journey echoes that of many other Lebanese filmmakers.
The Commitment of Young Filmmakers
Wissam Charaf, a Lebanese filmmaker honored at this year’s festival and a regular award-winner at Clermont-Ferrand, shared insights into his career, inspirations and approach to screenwriting and directing during a masterclass. His work was showcased in Lebanon Focus – Program 4, offering audiences a chance to rediscover his unique vision. Other filmmakers also discussed the challenges of creating films in a country with limited resources.
During the panel discussion The Young Lebanese Cinema Scene: Between Creativity and Commitment, the audience gained insight into the resilience of young Lebanese filmmakers who, despite economic hardships, continue to bring their art to life and share their perspectives with the world through compelling films.
Exhibitions also played a key role in the festival program, notably with Lebanese artist Brahim Samaha’s participation in the collective exhibition Anatomy of Labo 17. Another standout exhibition, Extended Spectrum, Photographies, presented captivating works blending science and art by Lara Tabet, who also served as a jury member in the Labo competition. Meanwhile, a live cinema concert by Nâr (Nadine Daou, also a Labo jury member) at Le Lieu-dit provided audiences with an immersive sensory experience.
The Clermont-Ferrand Festival left a lasting impression with its rich and remarkable Lebanon Focus. It was a well-deserved showcase of the talent and perseverance of Lebanese filmmakers, who continue to push boundaries and captivate audiences worldwide.
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