OUR PROJECTS

Beirut welcomed a new landmark cultural event in November 2025: Intersections – The UK Film Festival in Lebanon, a major collaboration between the British Council, the British Embassy in Beirut, and the Metropolis Cinema Association, supported by the UK Government’s GREAT Britain and Northern Ireland Campaign.

Running from 13 to 19 November 2025 at Metropolis Cinema, the festival celebrated the diversity, creativity, and global impact of UK cinema while creating meaningful connections with Lebanon’s vibrant film community.

A new space where Cinema connects Cultures
Titled Intersections, the festival captured what happened when creative worlds met, when image collided with sound, when technology reshaped narrative, and when dialogue sparked collaboration. It marked the beginning of a biannual cultural event dedicated to exchange, innovation, and professional growth in the film and creative industries.

Mayssa Dawi, Country Director, British Council Lebanon, said: “The UK Film Festival in Lebanon is a celebration of creativity and collaboration. By bringing together UK and Lebanese talent, we’re strengthening the UK’s role as a trusted partner and building the foundations for future innovation and prosperity across our creative economies.”

A programme of 12 films that stretches the form and imagination
From contemporary releases to restored classics, Intersections presented 12 films that reflect the scope and vitality of UK filmmaking today — a mix of award-winning, experimental, and socially engaged works.

All programming was curated and licensed in collaboration with Metropolis Cinema and UK rights holders, offering Lebanese audiences a comprehensive look at UK cinema’s past, present, and future.

Hania Mroueh, Director, Metropolis Cinema Association, said: “Metropolis has always been dedicated to promoting independent cinema and fostering cultural exchange. Through Intersections, we continue this mission by presenting a carefully curated selection of British films that reflect the diversity and depth of contemporary UK cinema. This partnership strengthens our commitment to building dialogue between filmmakers and audiences, and to supporting Lebanon’s role as a meeting point for international film culture.”

Professional Programme: Sound, Technology, and the Future of Film
A cornerstone of Intersections is its Professional Programme, which brings UK expertise directly to Lebanese filmmakers, sound designers, and producers through high-level workshops and talks:

Sound Design and Technology
In partnership with db Studios, internationally acclaimed sound artists and designers — Johnny Burn (The Zone of Interest), Paul Davies (You Were Never Really Here), Larry Sider (School of Sound), Rob Walker, and Steve Goodman (Kode9) — will lead sessions on the art and innovation of sound.

Filmmaking and the Gaming Realm
Led by Pinny Grylls and Sam Crane, this workshop explored the creative intersections between gaming technologies and cinematic storytelling.

Industry Growth Talk
A panel featuring James Weddup (Independent working BFI, British Council, and others), Jordan McGarry (Film London), Maya de Freige and Karim Nasr (Fondation Liban Cinema), moderated by Eneni Bambara-Abban (British Council), discussed how creative partnerships can shape the future of filmmaking and foster sustainable industry growth.

Cine-Concert Finale
Lebanese musicians Fadi Tabbal and Julia Sabra closed the festival with a live re-score of Alfred Hitchcock’s Easy Virtue — blending classic cinema with contemporary sound.

Beyond the screen: building bridges through cinema
The festival’s ambitions go beyond film screenings. By linking UK and Lebanese professionals, Intersections promoted co-production, post-production, and creative industry exchange, aligning with the GREAT Fund’s priorities on economic growth, innovation, and culture-led collaboration.