- 07
- May
- 2025
Social media has been awash with praise and pride for Georges Khabbaz. The Lebanese actor, playwright and director recently won the Best Actor award at the Las Palmas International Film Festival for his compelling portrayal of Munir in Yunan, a movie directed by Ukrainian filmmaker Ameer Fakher Eldin. This accolade adds to the one he received just days earlier at the Hong Kong International Film Festival, further solidifying Khabbaz's place on the global cinematic scene, much to the delight of his fans at home and around the world.
“Once again in Spain, I received the Best Actor award for my role in Yunan, directed by Ameer Fakher Eldin. A big thank you to the Las Palmas Film Festival and the jury for this honor, which means a lot to me,” he wrote on Instagram on Monday. He also extended his congratulations to the director for the film's fifth award.
An Intense Role in a Movie with Universal Resonance
In Yunan, the story follows Munir, an Arab writer residing in Hamburg, who retreats to a remote German island to carry out his final act: suicide. There, he encounters an elderly woman who rekindles his desire to live and challenges him to reconsider the possibility of a second chance at life. This poignant connection between an Arab man and an older woman infuses the movie with profound meaning, offering a hopeful reflection amidst the troubled times we live in.
This story also echoes the journey of its director, born in Kyiv in 1991 and now based in Hamburg, with roots in the annexed Syrian Golan Heights.
Georges Khabbaz fully embraces the role, solidifying his position as one of the leading talents among the international cinema elite. His performance has been praised for its emotional depth and genuine authenticity, breathing life into a character that is both fragile and universal. In a word: human, profoundly so.
Alongside him, German cinema icon Hanna Schygulla delivers a remarkable performance, earning her the Best Actress award.
The bond between these two characters offers a glimpse of hope for a brighter future, revealing what is, at its core, the true power of cinema: to offer solace at times when fraternity and sharing feel increasingly rare.
Expanding International Recognition
Prior to its success in Las Palmas and Hong Kong, Yunan had already been celebrated at numerous renowned international festivals. The movie won two awards at the Bari and Milan festivals in Italy, following its world premiere at the 75th Berlinale (Berlin International Film Festival) in February.
With every new accolade, Yunan further cements its place as a defining work of contemporary independent cinema.
An Artist Making Waves on Every Front in 2025
The year 2025 is set to be a vibrant one for Georges Khabbaz, marked by an exciting array of projects and milestones.
In addition to his cinematic triumphs, Khabbaz will grace the stage once again at the Casino du Liban from July 17 to August 17 for the third season of Khayal Sahra, performing alongside the Lebanese actor and comedian Adel Karam. This eagerly awaited return follows two successful seasons that garnered widespread acclaim.
In terms of filming, Khabbaz has recently wrapped up a Spanish-German production for a children's series directed by Swedish filmmaker Maria von Helland, shot in the scenic Canary Islands.
And that's not all: last summer, he starred in Mille secrets, mille dangers (A Thousand Secrets, A Thousand Dangers), a gripping film shot in Canada under the direction of the Oscar-nominated Quebec filmmaker Philippe Falardeau.
A Leading Figure in Lebanese Arts
For over 30 years, Georges Khabbaz has been an iconic figure in Lebanese theater and cinema. A true polymath, he not only excels as an actor, but also as a playwright, director, producer, musician, poet and university professor. His rich and multifaceted career stands as a testament to his deep passion for life and his steadfast commitment to both life and the arts.
More than just an actor, Khabbaz embodies a beacon of hope and a cultural bridge for Arab artists on the international stage. With Yunan, he once again demonstrates that his art speaks a universal language—one of pain, resilience and, above all, the enduring light that can still be found or perhaps most profoundly revealed in the darkest of times.
What is certain is that this multifaceted and exceptionally talented artist will never stop surprising us.
Comments