Our Story
About Us
About Us
Nestled in the heart of the Chouf mountains, Barouk Film Festival is more than just a celebration of cinema, it is a heartfelt tribute to nature, culture, and the power of storytelling. Born from a deep love for Barouk and its breathtaking landscapes, the festival aims to highlight the harmony between art and environment, bringing together filmmakers, students, and audiences in one shared passion: to tell stories that matter. Our mission is to support audiovisual students and young filmmakers, offering them a real platform to express their creativity, share their visions, and make their voices heard. We believe that every film carries a message, and every storyteller deserves a chance to be seen. Through workshops, screenings, and networking events, the festival opens doors for new talents to connect with professionals and the wider community.
But Barouk Film Festival is also about identity and belonging. It shines a light on Lebanese culture, history, and traditions, reminding us of who we are and where we come from. From the Barouk Cedar Nature Reserve, symbol of life and resilience, to the house of poet Rachid Nakhle, author of our national anthem, every corner of Barouk tells a story worth sharing. The festival extends its lens beyond cinema to the religious, cultural, and touristic diversity that defines Barouk and nearby Freidis Village, creating a space where art and community meet. Through the magic of film, we aim to capture the soul of our land the laughter of its people, the beauty of its hills, and the values that unite us.
How the Idea Began?
The Barouk Film Festival began as a small spark shared between three friends Rita Matar Al Raachini, Jaime Daccache, and Georges Haddad. All three shared a love for cinema and a deep connection to Lebanon’s culture. What united them most was a belief that creativity could revive the bond between people and their land.
It all started with a simple question: What if Barouk became a place where nature and film could meet? Rita, Jaime, and Georges saw how many young filmmakers struggled to find a platform to showcase their work. They also saw how rich Barouk was not only in beauty, but in untold stories, traditions, and local life that deserved to be seen and heard.
What began as a friendly discussion slowly turned into a real project. The trio started building a vision a festival that would support students, highlight new Lebanese talent, and celebrate the soul of their country through the lens of film.
Our Objectives
The Barouk Film Festival was created with a clear purpose to support and empower emerging filmmakers and audiovisual students. Our goal is to provide a platform where young talents can express their creativity, share their stories, and connect with the public. The festival also aims to celebrate Lebanese culture, nature, and heritage through the art of cinema, encouraging a deeper appreciation for our traditions and natural beauty. At the same time, we seek to raise environmental awareness, promote sustainable tourism, and strengthen the cultural identity of Barouk and its surrounding villages. Ultimately, our objective is to make Barouk a meeting point between art, education, and community, where creativity and heritage walk hand in hand.
Our Target Audience
he Barouk Film Festival welcomes a wide range of audiences who share a passion for art and culture. Our main focus is on audiovisual students, young filmmakers, and creative professionals who are looking for a space to showcase their work and connect with others in the industry. We also reach out to cinema lovers, cultural institutions, tourists, and local residents who wish to discover new Lebanese talent and explore the stories born from our land.
Awards & Categories
The Barouk Film Festival proudly honors creativity, passion, and the art of visual storytelling through a series of carefully curated awards. Each award celebrates the talent and dedication of filmmakers who bring new perspectives, emotions, and ideas to the screen. Our goal is to recognize not only technical excellence, but also original vision, cultural relevance, and artistic courage.
Film Selection
The Barouk Film Festival values creativity, authenticity, and storytelling that reflects both the soul of Lebanon and the universality of human experience. Our film selection focuses on works that carry strong artistic vision and emotional depth stories that inspire, question, and connect. We welcome short films, documentaries, student projects, and experimental works that explore themes such as nature, culture, identity, environment, and social change. Each selected film is chosen not only for its technical quality, but for its message and originality the way it captures life, emotions, and the world around us. A dedicated selection committee made up of filmmakers, professors, and industry professionals carefully reviews all submissions to ensure a fair and inspiring lineup. Through this process, we aim to showcase diverse voices and encourage young creators to bring their vision to the screen right here, in the heart of Barouk.
🎬 Festival Categories
We welcome submissions across several categories that reflect the diversity of today’s cinematic voices.
Best Short Film
Celebrating outstanding storytelling in a short format.
Best Documentary
Honoring powerful real-life stories and social reflections.
Best Environmental Film
Highlighting nature, sustainability, and Lebanon’s beauty.
Best Lebanese Film
Recognizing a work that best represents Lebanese identity and spirit.
Best Student Film
Dedicated exclusively to emerging student filmmakers.
Audience Choice Award
Voted by festival attendees — giving the public a voice.
🎞️ Jury & Selection Committee
The Barouk Film Festival Jury and Selection Committee bring together a distinguished panel of professionals, educators, and artists who share a deep passion for cinema and cultural expression. Their work ensures that every film chosen and every award granted reflects the festival’s values of creativity, integrity, and inspiration.
Selection Committee
Responsible for reviewing all submissions and curating the official lineup, the Selection Committee comprises filmmakers, professors, and audiovisual experts who evaluate each work for originality, storytelling, artistic direction, and emotional impact. Their mission is to spotlight both emerging and established voices that reflect the richness of Lebanese and international cinema.
Festival Jury
Formed by respected filmmakers, producers, journalists, and cultural figures, the Jury selects winners across all categories. Each member contributes unique insight and expertise, ensuring fairness and artistic excellence. Beyond judging, the Jury fosters mentorship and dialogue among creators.
📜 Rules & Terms
To uphold fairness and transparency, the Barouk Film Festival follows clear rules and guidelines for all film submissions and participants.
Eligibility
- Open to filmmakers, audiovisual students, and professionals from Lebanon and abroad.
- Films must have been completed within the last three years.
- Previously screened films are accepted if not publicly broadcast on major platforms.
Categories
- Short Film
- Documentary
- Environmental Film
- Student Film
- Lebanese Film
Duration
- Short films ≤ 25 minutes.
- Documentaries and environmental films ≤ 25 minutes (unless otherwise approved).
Language & Subtitles
- All films must include English or French subtitles.
- Sound and image quality must be clear and professional.
Submission Format
- Accepted formats: MP4 or MOV via official submission links.
- Each film must include:
- Synopsis
- Director’s biography & photo
- Production year & duration
- Trailer & poster
Selection Process & Rights
- All films are reviewed by the Selection Committee; decisions are final.
- By submitting, filmmakers grant the festival non-commercial screening rights.
- Participants must hold all copyright and usage rights for their content.
Attendance & Agreement
- Directors of selected films are encouraged to attend screenings and activities.
- Submission implies full acceptance of these rules and terms.
- The festival reserves the right to adjust schedules if necessary.
Our Newsletter
Enter your email address to be updated with fresh news
Receive emails updates and hot offers