Beirut Shorts is your shortcut to the OSCARS
The Beirut Shorts International Film Festival has proudly attained the status of an Academy Awards (OSCARS) Qualifying Film Festival, the first of its kind in Lebanon and among few in the Arab world. This milestone provides an unprecedented opportunity for Lebanese and international filmmakers, as films that win in three official competition categories—Best Live Action, Best Documentary, and Best
BEHIND THE POSTER
Beirut Shorts International Film Festival 2025
A hopeful vision of renewal and connection rises from the Beirut Shorts International Film
Festival poster of the 19th edition, reflecting Lebanon’s enduring spirit and its steady return to
color after years of hardship. The design speaks not only of struggle but also of togetherness
and transformation, as if the city itself is breathing again. High above the horizon, an airplane
cuts through the sky. This presence is both physical and emotional, reminding us that Lebanon’s
story extends far beyond its borders, yet always circles back to Beirut. Around the city, the
clouds remain, but softer now: still present, still whispering of challenges, yet no longer casting
the same weight. They are breaking apart, allowing the light to pass through, suggesting that
hope has begun to outshine despair.
At the heart of the composition, the butterfly appears once again, weaving her quiet magic. She
is delicate yet powerful, her wings in motion as though painting the city back into life. This
butterfly is no ordinary symbol: she represents resilience, rebirth, and the power of
transformation in progress. As she dances across the poster, she draws color into the frame,
suggesting that Lebanon, like the butterfly, is not fixed but forever becoming. The return of
vibrant hues in the skyline speaks of a Beirut reimagined by its youth, a city rebuilt not only in
bricks and mortar, but in creativity, cinema, and dreams.
The poster’s cityscape deepens this narrative by blending modern towers with traditional
Lebanese houses. It is a visual dialogue between heritage and progress, between memory and
aspiration. The traditional rooftops honor the authenticity and cultural roots of Lebanon, while
the modern buildings rise as a declaration of ambition, innovation, and forward-looking vision.
Together, they form a skyline that is neither past nor future alone, but both: an evolving Beirut
that embraces continuity while striving for transformation.
The gradual return of vivid tones after the muted shades of clouds and shadows mirrors
Lebanon’s own emergence from crisis into a future painted with creativity and hope. Every
choice, the mix of architecture, the layering of sky and city, and the butterfly’s flight contributes
to a visual story of a country and a generation in motion, unfinished yet unstoppable.
Overall, this poster encapsulates the essence of the Beirut Shorts International Film Festival’s
19th edition: a tribute to resilience, a bridge between diaspora and homeland, a space where
tradition and modernity meet, and above all, a celebration of youth and cinema as engines of
transformation.
Designing this poster was not about creating an image: it was about telling a story. A story in
which Beirut, despite everything, continues to rise in color.
Note From The Director
As we open the 19th edition of the Beirut Shorts International Film Festival, my heart turns once
more to this city that has given us both storms and colors, both clouds and rays of light. Beirut is
not only our home, it is our heartbeat: a city that, despite everything, continues to rise, to
dream, and to create.
This year, more than ever, our festival is a declaration of hope. It is our wish that Lebanon
remains a place full of colors: not only in its landscapes and its streets, but in its stories, its
creativity, and in the spirit of its youth. Through cinema, we affirm our belief that even in the
darkest times, the screen can reflect light, resilience, and transformation.
The 19th edition is also a testament to collaboration. Our strength lies in the partnerships we
build: with filmmakers, cultural institutions, and organizations that believe, as we do, in
cinema’s power to connect, to heal, and to inspire. Together, we are weaving a network of
creativity that extends far beyond Lebanon, yet always returns to Beirut.
It is with great pride that we celebrate this edition in Metropolis Cinema Beirut, a space that
embodies our mission and our dreams. Here, we gather not only to watch films, but to build
bridges, to exchange ideas, and to affirm that Beirut, despite all its challenges, remains a capital
of culture and creativity.
May this festival be another step in our collective journey: a journey of cinema, of hope, and of
a Lebanon that will always breathe in color.
Sam Lahoud
Founder, President, Beirut Film Society
Founder, Director, Beirut Shorts
MEET THE ARTIST BEHIND THE POSTER
Najwa Mallah, Head of Branding and Design
Najwa Mallah is a Beirut based Art Director, she holds a BA in Multimedia and an MA in Design.
Najwa has built a diverse career through small and large-scale projects across various
industries. Najwa draws inspiration from everyday life to craft innovative ideas that resonate with
audiences. Whether working with teams or independently, Najwa is always on the lookout for
new ways to push the boundaries of design while maintaining a focus on quality and client
vision.
Najwa is the Head of Branding and Design at Beirut Film Society; among her work is the Beirut Shorts International Film Festival and the Beirut International Women Film Festival. and others
LEBANON goes to Clermont Ferrand - 2025
Exciting News
We are thrilled to announce the partnership with the Clermont - Ferrand International Short Film Festival for the Lebanon Guest Country programs.
Organized by Beirut Film Society
With:
Beirut Shorts International Film Festival
& Batroun Mediterranean Film Festival
With the Support of: Institut Francais Liban