The 15th NDU International Film Festival (NDUIFF) opened on November 30, 2021 under the name “Beirut Shorts”, presented by the Beirut Film Society and in collaboration with the Emile Chahine Foundation, in Bechara el-Rai Theater at the University main campus with an array of international stars on the red carpet.
Tuesday night’s ceremony unfolded a heartfelt welcome from Dr. Kamal AbouChedid, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and both NDU Professors, Sam Lahoud, Founder of Beirut Film Society and Dr. Nicolas Khabbaz, Director of the Division of Audio Visual Arts.
Lahoud said, "Beirut Shorts was a way to reflect the true identity of the festival, a place to showcase the cinematography of Lebanese youth on international platforms. Bearing the name of our beloved capital, this festival will showcase the radiant face of Beirut: beautiful, steadfast, with a passion for life and a strong will to rise again."
Representatives from numerous international festivals were present in support of the festival such as International Short Film Festival of Cyprus, Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, Poff Shorts, Al Gouna Film Festival, Marseille International Film Festival and Malmo Arab Film Festival.
More than 40 short films, both local and international, competed in different categories. The jury comprised international film critics including local names such as Rita Hayek and Professor Emile Chahine.
The festival concluded on December 3 with the winners announced during the as follows:
Category
|
Winner |
| Special Jury Mention |
In Flow of Words, Netherlands |
| International Competition: Best Documentary Film |
E14, United Kingdom |
| International Competition: Best Fiction Film |
In the Woods, Croatia |
| Special Jury Mention |
The Perfect Picture, Lebanon |
National Competition: Best Short Film
|
Then Came Dark, Lebanon
|
Emile Chahine Award for Cinematic Excellence
|
Let’s Go Home, Lebanon
|
Audience Choice Award
|
Dismissal, Lebanon
|
National Competition: Best Student Film
|
Dismissal, Lebanon
|