Creative expression through films was a socio-cultural project with a series of ten independent workshops in Lebanon. These workshops used film expression to transform education, equip people with the tools to communicate, think critically, auto-reflect or sometimes (re)build self-confidence by (re)connecting with their inner self.
The project embraced diversity by targeting people from various regional, social, cultural and educational backgrounds and ages living in Lebanon. Its inclusive politics and the ultimate objective aim was to reach marginalised communities and to relocate cultural access from urban centres to rural areas.
Creative expression through films aimed to motivate people from all regions of Lebanon to express their ideas and desires for social change in a creative way and thus participate in the public discourse on Lebanon’s political, social, cultural and economic development.
The workshops were held by Lebanese filmmakers Corine Shawi and Yara Nashawaty and cooperate with cultural actors, stakeholders and institutions from Lebanon. Each workshop grouped eight participants who produce ten short individual video diaries over the period of five intensive days. All along the workshops, participants film short and themed exercises. They were invited to use their immediate surroundings at the workshop and at home. These exercises took the form of shot/edited intimate diaries. The applied method during these workshops highlighted the individual stories of each participant under the pillars of aesthetics, form, and content. Thus art presents a key way for individuals to raise a voice, an expression and to process their reality.
Selected video diaries produced in the workshops can be seen on youtube.
Click below for more details on the 10 workshops that took place between July 2023 and November 2024.
TAABIR workshops - selected video diaries from Lebanon. Film 1
These two films showcase the Creative Expression Through Films project, a series of ten workshops designed to support individuals in Lebanon explore filmmaking as a tool for self-expression.
The project brought together participants from diverse backgrounds and regions to express themselves, share their experiences, and communicate through film.
The TAABIR workshops, led by filmmakers Corine Shawi and Yara Nashawaty, organized by elbarlament and funded by the German Federal Foreign Office, focused on inclusivity, diversity, and reaching various communities.
The films feature a selection of personal video diaries created by the workshop participants, showcasing their creativity and aspirations while contributing to Lebanon’s cultural and social conversation.
Film 1 includes video diaries from workshops held in Batloun/Chouf, Beirut, Saida, Dbayeh, and Tripoli (July 2023 – April 2024).
Film 2 features video diaries from workshops in Hammana, Mtein, Kobayat/Akkar, Ehden, and Jbeil (May – November 2024).
#EmpowermentThroughFilm #LebanonWorkshops #CulturalAccess #TAABIR #Lebanon
More about the project at: https://elbarlament.org/projects/creative-expression-through-films/
TAABIR workshops - selected video diaries from Lebanon. Film 2
These two films showcase the Creative Expression Through Films project, a series of ten workshops designed to support individuals in Lebanon explore filmmaking as a tool for self-expression.
The project brought together participants from diverse backgrounds and regions to express themselves, share their experiences, and communicate through film.
The TAABIR workshops, led by filmmakers Corine Shawi and Yara Nashawaty, organized by elbarlament and funded by the German Federal Foreign Office, focused on inclusivity, diversity, and reaching various communities.
The films feature a selection of personal video diaries created by the workshop participants, showcasing their creativity and aspirations while contributing to Lebanon’s cultural and social conversation.
Film 1 includes video diaries from workshops held in Batloun/Chouf, Beirut, Saida, Dbayeh, and Tripoli (July 2023 – April 2024).
Film 2 features video diaries from workshops in Hammana, Mtein, Kobayat/Akkar, Ehden, and Jbeil (May – November 2024).
#EmpowermentThroughFilm #LebanonWorkshops #CulturalAccess #TAABIR #Lebanon
More about the project at: https://elbarlament.org/projects/creative-expression-through-films/
10 workshops 68 workshop participants (age 15 to 45)
16 local collaboration partners 314 applications for participation 845 video diaries
10 local screenings / audience: 290 persons
2 Annual Screening, audience: 170 persons 1 panel discussion / event in Berlin
2 social media channels 910 followers, 436 posts/stories, 4.400 likes/interactions, 12.000 profile visits, 157.000 views
Here are some photos from the workshops:
This project is funded by the German Federal Office 
