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This April, Beirut International Women Film Festival (BIWFF) embarks on its seventh edition, once again shining a spotlight on women’s unparalleled contributions to the cinematic world. Organized by the Beirut Film Society, the festival serves as a platform for showcasing female-centric narratives and a symbol of change in the industry and society. This momentous event will take place from April 14 to April 19 at Grand Cinemas ABC Dbayeh.
The opening ceremony of Beirut International Women Film Festival will take place at Casino du Liban, honoring Egyptian legend, artist, actress and singer Yousra, who will receive the Golden Tanit Award at this 7th edition of the festival. Sam Lahoud, the pioneering founder of the Beirut Film Society, shared insights into the festival’s origins, its mission and its broader impact on society.
Sam Lahoud recounted the festival’s inception and attributed its birth to an idea that was born in 2013 and then bloomed with the production and subsequent success of the film Void (Waynon) which was notably recognized at several international women’s film festivals. “The genesis of the festival traces back to 2013-2014, sparked by our involvement in producing the film Void, written by Georges Khabbaz. With its thematic focus on women, what truly propelled us was the film’s reception at various international women’s film festivals. At that time, we were organizing Beirut shorts as NDU International FIlm Festival.” This early encounter with the global movement for women’s representation in cinema led to the realization of the BWFF.
Delving into the challenges of female representation in media, Lahoud highlighted the significant discrepancies and stereotypes that spurred the creation of the festival. “Our research and discussions unveiled a stark misrepresentation of women on screen, with clichéd narratives often relegating them to roles of victimhood or marginalization.” He pointed out the stark contrast between the high percentage of women graduating from cinema schools and their significantly lower representation in the industry – around 10 to 12%, especially in leadership roles.
The festival’s film selection process, as Lahoud described, is a rigorous endeavor aimed at showcasing a diverse and impactful array of narratives. “Annually, we receive between 1,500 to 1,800 film submissions. Our selection process is meticulous, beginning with a pre-selection phase that narrows down to a short list based on thematic relevance, genre and the filmmaker’s gender.” He emphasized the festival’s commitment to transcending stereotypes and fostering a rich diversity of perspectives.
“The festival’s backbone comprises Executive Director of Beirut Film Society and Artistic Director of the festival: Doris Saba, Program Director Nicolas Khabbaz, and programmers Maria Abdel Karim and Olga Korotko.”
When asked about the obstacles facing the festival, Sam Lahoud spoke of the challenges posed by Lebanon’s instability and financial constraints. “Lebanon’s unstable environment and financial constraints pose significant challenges.” However, he remains undeterred, driven by a deep belief in cinema’s capacity to effect change.
Reflecting on the festival’s potential impact, he shared his vision for the BIWFF as a catalyst for societal transformation. “The festival is not pretentious, but it aims to be a high-level qualitative event that can have great impact on media and society. I definitely believe cinema can make a change. Yet, while immediate change is ambitious, cinema plants seeds of awareness and dialogue that can gradually influence societal norms and perceptions.” Sam Lahoud sees the festival as a means to inspire a new generation of filmmakers and audiences, ultimately aiming to reshape the media landscape and the way women are portrayed in cinema and television.
@mariechristine.tayah