When cinema meets the magic of the outdoors, it’s the Cabriolet Film Festival! This beautiful idea was launched in 2009 in its first edition on the stairs of Saint Nicholas in Gemmayzeh area, where screen lights harmonize with the melodies of nature to tell distinctive stories and take us on a unique cinematic journey.
With pride and enthusiasm, Laboratoire d’Art Association announces the launch of the 16th edition this year of the prominent film festival that has become an integral part of the cultural scene in Beirut.
This annual event comes within the framework of a message which is: linking art with the public, as a variety of international and Lebanese short films are presented for three consecutive nights, starting from the 7th to the 9th of June 2024, amid an atmosphere of art and creativity, lighting up the Cabriolet screens in multiple places in Beirut. This year, the event will take place in parallel with various
Lebanese regions, such as Beirut, Zahle, Baalbek, El Mina (Tripoli), Deir El Qamar, Batloun (Chouf), Khenchara, Ehden, Byblos and Jounieh, to reflect the wonderful spirit of the festival and share with everyone a distinctive cinematic experience.
This edition is distinguished by its exciting theme of “the other,” as short films transport us to multiple worlds and different experiences, enriching cultural dialogue and enhancing interaction between viewers and artists.
In addition to film screenings, the festival provides an opportunity for communication and interaction between actors, directors, and cinema lovers. “The place is open to all people who cannot enter the cinema, to learn about short films and to discover emerging talents and experiences that we highlight at the festival.” With these words, Ibrahim Samaha, founder of the festival, expresses the importance of this event that brings together art and the public in one place that reflects the most beautiful image of Beirut.
As in every edition of the festival, a godfather is chosen from among the most prestigious names in the world of cinema and directing to accompany the festival. The Cabriolet family included a group of names: Julia Kassar, Rita Hayek, Rodrigue Suleiman, Nada Abu Farhat, Badie Abu Chakra, George Khabbaz, Nadine Labaki, Gabriel Yammine, Adel Karam. While this year, the figure of the festival is the actress Carmen Bsaibes.
It is worth noting that the festival has begun to export Lebanese creativity through cooperation agreements with international festivals to screen Lebanese films and vice versa. In this context, the Cabriolet Committee received about 3,500 films this year, 37 of which were selected to be shown to the public during the three days.