Jury 2024

Adham Al-Dimashki

Adham Al-Dimashki is a Lebanese poet, playwright, director, and visual artist. He is a university lecturer in creative writing, art criticism, and the role of arts in treating mental disorders.

He has published five books translated into German, Armenian, English, and French and won several literary awards, including the Gold Medal in Poetry from Studio El Fan.

He has written, directed, and produced various

documentaries and short films, held two solo exhibitions exploring the aftermath of the August 4 explosion, and participated in numerous theatrical and cinematic projects.

Adham is a jury member for several art and literary competitions, including the Arab Creators’ Oscars, the World Art Collector and the Beirut International Women Film Festival.

After the Beirut explosion, he transformed his home in Ashrafieh into a cultural center called ‘Anbar,’ where he has hosted three free cultural festivals.

Betty Taoutel

Actress, writer, and theater director, she holds a degree in theater directing, a master’s in playwriting and dramaturgy, and a DEA in theater from Saint Joseph University (USJ).

She has acted in numerous plays with prominent directors in Lebanon and abroad, and has appeared in many TV shows. In cinema.

As a theater professor, she also gained recognition as a judge on Star Academy. She has written and directed several successful plays in both Arabic and French.

She has won several awards, including the Murex d’Or and the BIAF, honoring her theater career.

Joseph Azoury

Joseph Azoury is a multidisciplinary artist renowned as an actor, director, musician, and lecturer.

Born into an artistic family, with his father Sami Toufic Azoury, Joseph began his acting career at 14, performing in children’s theater.

He later starred in acclaimed films like 1982, Lebanon’s 2020 Oscar submission, and international series such as Karantina alongside James Franco.

Joseph’s creative pursuits extended to directing short films and nature documentaries, showcasing his talent for storytelling.

As a musician, he formed the comedic band Fer2it Ma3é, touring Lebanon and Jordan, and released his solo album Veranda in 2023.

With over a decade as a university lecturer, Joseph has inspired countless aspiring artists, leaving a lasting impact on Lebanon’s cultural landscape.

JP Charlebois

I’m a film director and producer from Montreal, Canada. I am half Canadian and half Lebanese.

Growing up in a city with as much cultural diversity as Montreal, I came to appreciate the subtle complexities in life and decided I needed to work in the creative industry. During my teenage years, I developed a strong passion for music performance as well as visual arts.

Thereafter, I enrolled in a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film at Concordia University and completed it in April 2012. My work experience to date consists of advertising, music videos, video art, short-films, and feature films.

In 2019 I also founded a production company called Charleswood Films which enables me to produce and direct projects without any creative boundaries.

I currently feel so inspired and in touch with my creations. Years ago, I chose to dedicate my life to the world of cinema because I have a strong gift in connecting with humans and their emotions.

I truly believe that filmmaking will contribute to making our world better and more connected than ever.

Karl Hadife

Karl grew up immersed in directing and production, thanks to his filmmaker parents. Early exposure to film sets sparked his passion for storytelling, which he honed during college by directing short promotional videos and music videos for local bands like Taxi 404 and Grave Jones.

Influenced by cinematic icons like Kubrick and Wong Kar Wai, Karl’s graduation film Hollow Peak gained international acclaim, winning the Maskoon Film Festival in 2018. His short film Cradle, part of the Emmy-nominated series Beirut 6:07, honored victims of the Beirut explosion.

In 2022, Karl co-created the interactive play Farha, staged in a residential building, earning widespread praise. He later transformed Cinema Royal into a cultural hub with weekly events revitalizing Lebanon’s arts scene.

Currently, Karl is working on Last Exit, a crime thriller exploring Beirut’s subcultures through the eyes of an anxious detective.

Lea Husseini

Lea Husseini is a filmmaker and content strategist with a diverse background in both education and creative production.

She studied filmmaking at Kingston University London, where she honed her skills in storytelling and visual arts.

After working in the film industry, she transitioned to academia, serving as an instructor for several years before relocating to Switzerland.

In Switzerland, Lea became a content creator and strategist for international companies, blending her creative expertise with business acumen.

Currently, she is channeling her passion for storytelling into developing an original screenplay.

Lynn Sfeir

Lynn Sfeir is a Lebanese filmmaker, scriptwriter, and film critic. Born in Tripoli, Lebanon, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Film and Television from the Lebanese University in Beirut.

During her studies, she made several short films and commercials on minimal budgets, some of which gained recognition at film festivals.

She went on to complete a master’s degree in Scriptwriting and Film Analysis from the Université libre de Bruxelles.

Lynn has also written a dystopian feature film that is currently awaiting production.

Currently, she shares her love for cinema as a film critic, analyst, and content creator on Instagram, @Lynncinema, where she inspires, entertains, and engages her 170,000 followers through reviews,edits, and creative insights.

She is also an Art Director contributing her creative vision to a 3D animation project.

Solange Trak

Solange Trak is a versatile Lebanese actress, filmmaker, and acting coach, known for her dynamic presence in both theatre and television.

She is the owner of District 7 Beirut, a boutique theatre in Saifi, where she fosters a creative community and showcases diverse artistic talents.

With a degree in psychology, Solange brings a deep understanding of human behavior to her work, enriching her performances and coaching. Her career spans various plays and TV series, where she has left a lasting impact through her compelling portrayals and commitment to the arts.

Tony kalaany

Tony kalaany is a renowned Audio Producer based in Lebanon.

In 1996, he established his own production company Audiotakes Sound Design, and since then he has made a significant impact in the entertainment industry with his creativity and expertise in the Audio Field. In 2009, Kalaany’s set up the first 7.1 mixing theatre in Lebanon. This state-of-the-art facility allowed him to take his work to the next level.

The Mixing theatre has since become a go-to destination for filmmakers and producers in Lebanon and the region.

Throughout his career, Tony Kalaany has received numerous awards and recognitions for his contributions to the audio industry in Lebanon and the region.

He continues to be a leading figure in the field of audio production, setting new standards and pushing boundaries with his innovative approach to Creative Audio.