Beirut International Film Festival The 12th Edition of the Beirut International Film Festival is to kick off on October 3 at Planete Abraj and will witness the screening of 57 films, with “Blind Intersections” directed by Lebanese, Lara Saba, opening the event. The festival is to end on October 11, with the screening of “Looper” by Rian Johnson, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis and Emily Blunt.
Colette Naufal, Beirut International Film Festival Director said: “This year’s edition will be a smaller and more intimate one, due to the latest events in the region and the destabilised situation in Lebanon. This has pushed some countries to impose a travel ban to Lebanon. As such, it was not possible to pledge enough guarantees to our foreign VIP guests nor to deliver the films in due time. Nonetheless, we were committed to organising a smaller edition of the festival, especially when compared to the 2011 edition. We are keen on preserving Lebanon’s cultural activities regardless of the reigning situation. Forging ahead, but ready to adapt; we Lebanese have had decades of experience at doing just that. So has the BIFF in its 15 years of existence.”
Colette also added: “Fewer films will not mean fewer thrills or lesser pleasures. Nor is it all going to be about cutting down - the festival will still screen this year’s best films, and will introduce new Lebanese talents.”