Second film workshop in Beirut – “Creative Expression through Films”

After the successful start of the workshop series in August, elbarlament conducted the second  Taabir – Film Expression workshop in Beirut. From 5-9 August, eight participants from Beirut and its surroundings enjoyed a creative and inspiring atmosphere at our local collaborator’s shared space Sawt w Soura in Sioufi, Beirut. In the workshop, led by the trainers and film experts Yara Nashawaty and Corine Shawi, the participants gained experience in identifying and developing their own film language by filming short individual video diaries.

”It reminded me that there is always a broader view, that there is more than one perspective to everything”, says Cyril Kokozaki, one of the participants, describing the impact of the workshop method on him. “To actually see it, to feel it, to communicate about it and to approach it from an intellectual point of view and discuss it, was absolutely intriguing.”

“I think finding the courage to film your surroundings, including the people around you in your community, is a very important skill to have”, Eden Semaan reflected on the workshop. “It helped me a lot creatively. I felt like I can try to find new ways to create my art.”

A one-hour screening of selected video diaries and a get-together for the local community and participants’ families and friends marked the end of the workshop after five intense days.

The project “Creative Expression through Films” is organised by elbarlament e.V. and funded by the German Federal Foreign Office. Find out more about it here.