Lebanon’s beloved Cabriolet Film Festival is back for its 16th edition, launching June 6–8, 2025, with renewed energy and a powerful message: connecting Lebanese regions through the love of cinema. Organized by Laboratoire d’Art, the festival expands beyond Beirut this year, bringing open-air short film screenings to more than a dozen locations across the country—from Byblos and Baalbeck to Saida and Sour.
The theme of this year’s edition, “DISOBEY,” invites audiences to experience bold, thought-provoking stories through 42 carefully selected international and Lebanese short films. Screenings will unfold over three consecutive nights, offering viewers a unique blend of art and atmosphere in open public spaces.
First launched in 2009 on the iconic Saint Nicolas Stairs in Gemmayzeh, Cabriolet has grown into a staple of Beirut’s cultural calendar. Its mission remains clear: democratize cinema, promote emerging talent and foster dialogue between artists and audiences. “The place is open to all,” said festival founder Ibrahim Samaha, “including people who don’t usually have access to movie theaters.”
This year also marks the debut of the Cabriolet Kids Film Festival, held in partnership with the prestigious Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival. On June 7, special screenings will take place in Beirut’s Sursock Museum, as well as venues in Saida, Sour, Zahle and Ras Maska. Two age-specific programs will cater to children aged 4-8 and 8-14, introducing young audiences to the magic of short films.
The 2025 edition will be headlined by prominent Lebanese actors Carmen Bsaibes and Camille Salameh, continuing the festival’s tradition of naming cultural ambassadors to champion the event. As Cabriolet expands its reach both locally and internationally, it reaffirms its role as a vital platform for cinematic expression and cultural exchange in Lebanon.
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