Closing of the 29th European Film Festival in Lebanon
The 29th edition of the European Film Festival in Lebanon closed on Sunday 11 May 2025 at Metropolis Cinema (Mar Mikhael) with the Short Film Competition Awards Ceremony, followed by the premiere of the digitised and restored copy of the 1962 Lebanese film “Abou Salim, Messenger of Love”.
Ambassador of the European Union to Lebanon, Sandra De Waele, awarded the Best Short Film Prize to two short films selected by the jury, in the presence of the Director General of the Ministry of Culture Dr. Ali Samad, representing the Minister of Culture, the Director of Goethe-Institut Libanon, Mrs. Anne Eberhard, and the Deputy Counsellor for Cooperation and Cultural Affairs and Deputy Director of Institut français du Liban, Mrs. Marion Eynard:
Lower Ground, directed by Firas Itani, won the award for its powerful and skilful storytelling around an important social topic. The film’s vivid portrayal of Beirut and its streets brings a distinct cinematic voice to life, capturing the city’s soul with striking clarity. Firas Itani will have to the opportunity to attend the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival in France thanks to l'Institut français du Liban.
© European Union, 2025
The Archaeology of The Living Dead, directed by Ahmad Hammoud, won the award for its quiet yet powerful reflection on the constraints of rigid ways of thinking. With simple and sincere performances, the film lets the essence of Sufism unfold naturally, without pretension. Ahmad Hammoud will have the opportunity to attend the International Short Film Festival Oberhausen in Germany thanks to the Goethe-Institut Libanon.
© European Union, 2025
The Jury Special Mentions were given to:
Rahhala: Hayya ala Hayya, directed by Lujain Jo, for its innovative visual approach to a stark and challenging subject, and to Those Who Never Left, by Pierre Mouzannar, for capturing the quiet heartbreak of souls torn between the need to stay and leave in your home country.
The jury was composed of: Mrs. Marion Eynard (Deputy Advisor for Cooperation and Cultural Action & Deputy Director of Institut français du Liban), Mrs. Vesna Chamoun (Cultural Program Coordinator at Goethe-Institut Libanon) and Ms. Dana Mroue from the Metropolis Cinema Association.
The Awards Ceremony was followed by the premiere of the digitised and restored copy of the 1962 Lebanese film “Abou Salim, Messenger of Love” in the presence of actor Abou Salim (Salah Tizani) as well as members from the film’s team. The digitisation, restoration and subtitling of this film was conducted by Nadi Lekol Nas, with the support of Institut français du Liban and Beryt project, implemented by UNESCO.