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For the 4th edition of the Lebanese Film Festival of France (FFLF), which will take place from October 13 to 20, 2024, at Le Lincoln Cinema in Paris, an ambitious program has been prepared with 40 screenings and several cultural partnerships to enhance the audience's experience.
The 4th edition of the Lebanese Film Festival of France (FFLF) will open on October 13 at the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris, showcasing the diversity and relevance of themes explored in Lebanese cinema, particularly regarding the portrayal of war and its aftermath.
Festival Highlights
Through a mix of documentaries and fictional works, the films serve as both artistic expressions and powerful reflections of Lebanon's contemporary realities. Audiences will also revisit two classic Lebanese films, selected for their unique approach to depicting the devastation of war.
In an interview with This Is Beirut, Sarah Hajjar, president and founder of the FFLF, emphasized this year's main theme, which strongly resonates with the current situation in Lebanon. "The festival's theme," she noted, "is directly linked to the current tragic context, with a focus on the representation of war and its consequences in Lebanese cinema. Many filmmakers have recounted Lebanon’s wars throughout the history of Lebanese cinema in their own way, working to preserve collective memory through their art. This work, often archival in nature, is crucial in ensuring we do not forget. This edition of the FFLF is particularly important as it questions, more than ever, the role of cinema and art in our societies, especially in the most tragic circumstances. It emphasizes the need to speak out, to be heard, and to convey messages of dialogue and humanity through art and culture. This year, more than ever, it is vital to express and carry these messages."
Responsibility and Commitment
Hajjar also acknowledged the challenges in organizing this year’s festival. "We are deeply affected, morally and psychologically, and continuing to fight in these circumstances is extremely difficult, but necessary. Our mission is a responsibility and a commitment to the artists and the Lebanese people, and we will fight to the end."
The FFLF has partnered with several solidarity initiatives, including a collective of artists and researchers organizing a fundraising event on Saturday, October 12, at Les Relais Solidaires in Pantin under the theme Act for Lebanon. This initiative, which will continue throughout the festival, aims to support local Lebanese organizations that assist civilian victims of Israeli bombings.
Despite this poignant theme, the festival also showcases a diverse range of films reflecting the creativity of Lebanese filmmakers. "We diversified the program to highlight the richness of Lebanese cinema," said Ms. Hajjar. "The films don’t solely focus on war, although it remains the central theme of this 4th edition. We have also extended the schedule to allow the public to enjoy the festival over the entire week. There will be discussions, meetings, and a short film competition featuring 25 films, half of which are student productions. The jury, chaired by filmmaker Danielle Arbid, who has supported the festival since its inception, will award four prizes and ten honorable mentions."
Support from “La Vallée Village”
For this 4th edition, the Lebanese Film Festival of France is proud to count among its partners the City of Paris, La Vallée Village, the Institut du Monde Arabe, and Le Lincoln Cinema. La Vallée Village, the festival’s main partner, will award a €1,000 gift card to the winner of the Grand Jury Prize to support their next film project. Additional surprises are also planned for this edition.
Cultural Partnerships
The FFLF will participate in several events this fall, including the Franco-Arab Film Festival of Noisy-le-Sec (from November 15 to 30, 2024), which will feature a special focus on Gaza, and the French release of Cyril Aris' documentary Dancing on a Volcano, which has been screening in several Parisian theaters since September 25. The festival has also partnered with Parlons il est temps, a play by first-time festival patron Philippe Aractingi, showing at the Essaïon Theater until October 29, 2024.
Additionally, the festival will host Au Fil du Temps, a kinetic photography exhibition curated by ELFAN, a cultural organization serving Lebanese communities in France, Belgium, and Lebanon. This exhibition, on display throughout the festival at Le Lincoln, explores the boundary between still and moving images, offering a poetic reflection on time.
Running from October 13 to 20, the 4th edition of the FFLF promises a week of emotions, discussions, and discoveries, paying tribute to the resilience and creativity of Lebanese filmmakers who, despite ongoing crises, continue to overcome challenges to tell stories that resonate far beyond borders.
For more information, visit: https://fflfofficial.fr/programme-2024/
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