A Groundbreaking Kick Start for Beirut Art Film Festival

The main event of BAFF’s 9th edition is set to run from November 7 through 17 at the Théâtre Béryte. Located at the campus of IESAV of USJ, Beirut, this venue provides an ideal setting to foster creativity and engage a diverse audience. In a spirit of solidarity, ticket sales proceeds will go to IESAV students through the USJ Foundation.

The last press conference the Beirut Art Film Festival (BAFF) held was back on October 17, 2019. Since then, Lebanon has been grappling with multifaceted crises and implosions. However, in the face of this unprecedented collapse and unstable backdrop, BAFF emerges as a beacon of hope, dedicated to advocating for change. Culture serves as BAFF’s powerful tool. It transcends mere entertainment and stands as an intricate blend of truth and beauty, history and the present, the fragile and the eternal. Moreover, culture is the arena where human intellect sharpens itself, drawing strength to challenge domination, be it political, religious, or economic, and embody freedom and independence.

Marking its 9th edition, BAFF has adopted “freedom” as its central theme. Tackling this topic with both confidence and humility, BAFF seeks to illuminate the blunt contrast between the vibrant spirit of its cultural mission and the grim realities of a nation reeling under the brunt of a wide panoply of challenges. With strong commitment and limited resources, BAFF extends its outreach not only to schools across Lebanon but also to communities in various regions.

Since its inception in 2015, the festival has consistently aimed to showcase films and conferences that not only reflect Lebanese heritage but also echo universal artistic expressions. For instance, renowned French philosopher Gilles Deleuze aptly described art as a force of resistance against death, oppression and disgrace.

As Lebanon wrestles with identity crises and existential threats, BAFF’s 9th Edition definitely serves as a testament to resilience. It highlights the tireless efforts of individuals from countries like Switzerland, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Poland and notably Lebanon, with a special focus on the city of Tripoli, which will be spotlighted by BAFF in January 2024.

From October 1 to December 30, schools across Lebanon have the opportunity to screen La Bataille du cèdre, a film showcasing Dr. Youssef Tawk’s singular mission to rejuvenate Lebanon’s cedar forests. This inspiring tale not only upholds the essence of Lebanese identity but also underscores the importance of preserving an invaluable legacy.

BAFF is set to feature the following:

Men in Front of a Camera. Masterclass with Eliane Raheb. Lebanon, 120’, moderated by Hady Zaccak.

Au-delà du papier (Beyond Paper). Canada, 2022, 130’, Oana Suteu Khintirian.

Chapeau d’artiste (Artist’s Hat). Belgium, 2023, 18′, Nathalie Rossetti.

Chopin. I am not Afraid of Darkness. Three Countries. Three Wars. One Music. Poland, 2022, 60’, Joanna Kaczmarek.

Elias Rahbani – Thaleth Al Rahabina. Lebanon/Qatar, 2023, 80’, Feyrouz Serhal.

Goya, Carrière and the Ghost of Buñuel. Spain/France, 2022, 90′, José Luis Lopez-Linares.

La vie en kit (Life in a Kit). Belgium, 2022, 69′, Elodie Degavre.

Last Dance. Switzerland, 2022, 84’, Delphine Lehericey.

Le testament de Manet (Manet’s Testament). Belgium, lecture by Thierry De Duve and JAP. 2023, 90′.

Mantles of Transience. Japan, 2022, 96’, Nagaru Miyake.

Perugino. Eternal Renaissance. Italy, 2023, 80′, Giovanni Piscaglia.

Pyotr Tchaikovsky Sleeping Beauty. Ballett Zürich – Switzerland, 2022, 128’, adapted to Junior Ballett Zürich by Christian Spuck, filmed by Accentus Music.

Saga Rassam-Berri. The Family : cinema in the veins. France, 2023, 90’, Florent Maillet and Michel Denisot.

The Color of Ink / La couleur de l’encre. Canada, 2022, 105’, Brian D. Johnson.

The Mirror of Others. Canada, 2022, 7’, Kristen Brown.

The Poetess. Saudia Arabia/ Germany, 2017, 58’, Stefanie Brockhaus and Andreas Wolff.

The Promise. Architect B.V. Doshi. Germany, 2023, 90’, Jan Schmidt-Garre.

Umberto Eco: A Library of the World. Italy, 2023, 80′, Davide Ferrario.