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Promotion and support of Lebanese cinema internationally
 Each year since 2005, and thanks to the financial and logistic support of the Office of Tourism of Lebanon in This space provided by Fondation Liban Cinéma is a meeting place between Lebanese and international film professionals. It also represents a window for the promotion of Lebanese films and the promotion of Thanks to the Lebanese flag hoisted over the pavilion, a great number of Lebanese and Arab professionals living abroad are attracted to this pavilion and they make it their regular meeting point during the festival. 2010: FLC participation in the 63th Cannes Festival
In collaboration with the Office du Tourism of Lebanon in Paris (Lebanese Ministry of Tourism), and the Ministry of Culture, The Lebanese Pavilion at the International Village hosted as usual the main Lebanese cinema organizations (Beirut DC, Metropolis, Beirut International Film Festival).
This year Fondation Liban Cinéma intensified its activity in the Film Market by presenting 9 films and 4 projects in development, allowing a greater number of Lebanese filmmakers to be present in Cannes in order to promote their films and projects.
1/ Screenings at the Film Market :
« What’s going on ? » by Jocelyne Saab
« Beirut, truth & versions » by Lara Saba
« Vulnerable » by Reine Mitri
« Mother, Lebanon and me » by Olga Nakkas
2/ At the Short film Corner:
« The mill » by Rami Kodeih
« Ecce hommos » by Claude El Khal
« In their blood » by Katia Jarjoura
« Tattooed eye » by Youmna Itani
« Dirty Mirror » by Mirna Mounayar (ALBA student who won the first prize in the students’ film competition of the European Film Festival in Beirut in 2009).
An audience increasingly interested in Lebanese cinema attended the screenings at the Film Market and the Short Film Corner.
3/ Professional meetings for the authors of the feature films projects in development.
- « Machos » by Rami Kodeih
- « So long city » by Claude El Khal
- « The devil’s smile » by Katia Jarjoura
- « Cash » by Nibal Arakji
For the second consecutive year the Fondation invites to Cannes the scriptwriters/directors who participated in the scriptwriting workshop that it organizes; this action fits within the Fondation’s objectives of supporting the development of Lebanese cinema.
The Fondation who had previously contacted producers and fund representatives and forwarded them the projects presentations, have organized a calendar of meetings in the Pavilion. Especially useful for the progress of the projects, these exchanges open the horizons for their development and financing.
This initiative was welcomed as an exceptional success in the frame of a festival as loaded as Cannes.
The travel of the scriptwriters was (partially) sponsored by FFA Private Bank
4/ The Fondation edited a brochure that catalogues the production of 2009-2010 as well as the 5 projects in development.
As for the Office of Tourism represented by its director Serge Akl, it pursued and developed its project “35mm from Beirut: A professional guide to cinema in Lebanon”.
The project’s mission for this year’s Cannes Festival was to follow from within the news of the Lebanese film professionals attending Cannes, whether those whose films are at The Film Market, the Short Film Corner or those who have projects in development.
Nicely decorated with film posters, the Pavilion glowed with life and colors. A welcome service was available throughout the day and the ambiance was lively all the time. Many Lebanese professionals felt at home and spent their time in the Pavilion which welcomed many visitors as well. The pavilion perfectly played its role as a place for meetings.
For the fifth consecutive year, the Fondation participates in Cannes Festival, thanks to the support of Casino du Liban. A Lebanese pavilion at the International Village have gathered this year the Office of Tourism of Lebanon in Paris, represented by its director Serge Akl, the Fondation represented by its president Aimée Boulos, the Beirut International Film Festival represented by its director Colette Naufal, and Medscreen project represented by Hania Mroueh. Activities of the Fondation: These meetings programmed by the Fondation were beneficial and some of the presented scripts have gained a preliminary interest of renowned producers. There will be a follow up on these contacts and we already have high hopes for future developments. Furthermore, the scriptwriters’ stay in The Fondation has programmed as well a screening of The screening was attended by several festival programmers and buyers. Some propositions have been made. Interviews (written and audiovisual media) were conducted with Aimée Boulos, tackling not only the Fondation’s activities but also the situation of Lebanese cinema in general and its latest news (Orange TV online, TV5, France 24 Arabic and French, Le Film français…). Activities of the Office of Toursim of 2- A familiarization trip to This double dynamics of the Fondation and the Office of Tourism was extremely beneficial and have optimized the role of the Pavilion. Alike every year the pavilion was a true meeting place, always full of people; a real bee hive. There were the consultancy sessions scheduled for our scriptwriters with the producers invited by the Fondation, and there was the crew of the company Amphipole who along with Serge Akl have developed the project “35 mm from Beirut”, and there were the work meetings and media interviews organized by the press attaché Zeina Toutounji, as well as the guests of Colette Naufal. As usual KSARA wine was present and was a pleasure for the visitors. As for the project “Familiarization trip to Lebanon for international professionals” scheduled for October 2009, Serge Akl, Elisabeth Hy and Vincent Calonnec have continued the research they started before the festival and they organized meetings at the Pavilion in preparation of this big event.
2008. FLC is present in a Pavilion at Cannes International Village
 Despite the turbulent events of May 2008, FLC succeeded in attending this essential yearly event, thanks to the financial support of Casino du Liban.
Two film screenings in the Film Market were organized by FLC: “Khalass” by Borhane Alaouié and “33 days” by Mai Masri.
  A promotional film about Lebanese cinema industry was produced by Fondation Liban Cinéma and was screened continuously in the Pavilion as well as at the beginning of each screening in the Film Market. The film gives information about the human and technical resources of the country, shooting facilities offered by its geographic location and its historical heritage, as well as a gallery of landscapes valuing Lebanon as a cultural, touristic and leisure destination.
Promotional bags, made of tissue and bearing the sponsors’ logos, were distributed to the visitors of the Pavilion, the audience of the Market screenings and to the other Pavilions of the
2007. FLC is present in a booth at the Cannes Film Market and organizes the Lebanese cinema day in « Tous les cinémas du monde » section of Cannes Festival  Selection of films programmed at “Tous les cinémas du monde”: 4 features : “When Maryam spoke out” by Assad Fouladkar, “The last man” by Ghassan Salhab, “A perfect day” by Joana Hadjithomas & Khalil Joreige, “Falafel” by Michel Kammoun, and 4 shorts : “Prêt-à-porter Imm Ali” by Dima El Horr, “Beirut after shave” by Hany Tamba, “011010010” by Chady Roukoz, “At the first day” by Koussay Hamzeh.
 Participation in a forum on the situation of Lebanese cinema – organized by « Tous les cinémas du monde » in the presence of the Lebanese filmmakers and an audience of film professionals.
  Lebanese evening hosted by Fondation Liban Cinéma at « La Plage des Palmes » was attended by more than 500 persons of the cinema milieu as well as VIPs who came especially for the occasion.
2006. FLC is present in a booth at the
 Two film screenings at the Film Market were organized by FLC: “A perfect day” by Joana Hadjithomas & Khalil Joreige, and “An overview of Lebanese production 2005-2006” (excerpts of the films : “A perfect day”by Joanna Hadjithomas & Khalil Joreige, “Bosta” by Philippe Aractingi, “Dunia” by Jocelyne Saab, “Khalas” by Borhane Alaouié, “The last man”by Ghassan Salhab).
A booklet presenting recent Lebanese feature films (2005/2006), published by Fondation Liban Cinéma was distributed in the Market.
Promotional material on festivals working in Lebanon and abroad for the promotion of Lebanese cinema was available at the booth.
2005. FLC is present in a Pavilion at the
A promotional CD about cinema industry in Lebanon was widely distributed. This CD realized by FLC is considered a first step towards a developed database.
A press conference was held in order to present the FLC and post-war Lebanese cinema. It was attended by a large number of Arab and international media as well cinema professionals. The conference was followed by a cocktail.  
Cairo International Film Festival
2006. Participation in Cairo International Film Festival
Participation in the screening of 4 Lebanese feature films programmed by Cairo Festival in the frame of a panorama of Lebanese cinema: “A perfect Day” by Johanna Haji-Touma & Khalil Jreige (attending guest Julia Kassar), “Bosta” by Philippe Aractingi (attending), “La ceinture de feu” by Bahij Hojeij (attending), “Terra incognita” by Ghassan Salhab (attending).
 Presence in the Film Market where the FLC boothserved as a meeting point for film professionals and as a space for business discussions.
Continuous screening - in the booth - of short films and documentaries made by professionals and amateurs about the July 2006 war
2005. Participation in Cairo International Film Festival
Participation in the screening of 6 Lebanese feature films programmed by Cairo Festival in the frame of a panorama of Lebanese cinema: “Al Aasar” by Samir Habchi (1992), “West Beyrouth” by Ziad Doueiri (1998), “Around the pink house” by Joanna Hadjithomas & Khalil Joreige (1999), “The shadow of the city” by Jean Chamoun (2000), “When Maryam spoke” by Assad Fouladkar (2001), “In the battlefields” by Danielle Arbid (2004).
A press conference held in the presence of three Lebanese filmmakers, one actor and the president of FLC, was attended by a wide audience as well as the media.
Dubai International Film Festival
 2009.Lebanese night at the General Consulate of Lebanon in Dubai
Similarly to its evening of December 2007, the General Consulate of These evenings aim at raising awareness of the audience on the importance of our national cinema and the necessity to support it, especially through the action of organisms such as Fondation Liban Cinema, who not only supports new film projects but also works for the preservation of our national audiovisual heritage. In this context, two short films by young directors were screened (« Bala wala chi » by Dzovig Torikian, and « North road » by Carlos Chahine), as well as the documentary « Shattered memories » by Lara Saba, which the Fondation produced based on the 16mm Télé Liban archive images restored and transferred to digital tapes in the frame of the project « Plan Images archives ». In this occasion, Aimée Boulos, president of the Fondation, made a speech that underlines the importance of the Fondation’s work as well as the necessity of public support. Aimée Boulos and Gabriel Sehnaoui (Board Member and Treasurer of the Fondation) were in Dubai in order to participate in the Dubai International Film Festival where several Lebanese films were selected in the different festival sections, as well as two film projects that were selected for the « Dubaï Film Connection » (Professional meetings organized by the industry office of the Festival, which aim at enhancing the development of film projects that are in search of financing); the two projects are: “Machos” by Rami Kodeih and “Upside down” by Ahmad Ghossein). 2007. In the frame of the Dubai International Film festival where 4 Lebanese feature films were selected in competition, the Lebanese Consul hosted a big evening in the garden of the Consulate, in honor of the Fondation Liban Cinéma and for the promotion of Lebanese cinema.
Aimée Boulos (President of FLC) presented the FLC to the 300 guests, and stressed on the importance of creating networks, abroad and especially in the Arab countries, for the support of cinema industry in Lebanon.
 3 short films were screened during this evening: “Non-métrage libanais” by Wissam Smaira & Ghassan Koteit, “Le Liban à travers le cinéma” by Hady Zaccack (both produced by Fondation Liban Cinéma, “Beirut After shave” by Hany Tamba (which won the Cesar of best short film in France in 2006).
Miscellaneous festivals & markets
2009.May–December 2009: « Convergence: New Art from Fondation Liban Cinéma have been contacted by Fondation Saradar for the programming of Lebanese films in The partners in this event are : The American University Museum Katzen Arts Center (Washington D.C.), Fondation Saradar – FS (Lebanon), Social and Economic Action for Six feature fiction films, three short films and one documentary were selected by the organizing committee of APPEAL following the suggestions of several films by Fondation Liban Cinéma, who provided the film copies as well as the contact and coordination with the filmmakers and the rights holders. The film screenings will take place at the American University Museum Katzen Arts Center auditorium, during three days from the 14th till the 16th of May 2010. 2007. Participation in Eurasia Film Market – Antalya
 In the frame of the Golden Orange film festival in Antalya and the 3rd Eurasia Film Festival, a booth was offered to Fondation Liban Cinéma, allowing the Fondation to ensure a presence at this new film market which opens new perspectives for Lebanese films on the Turkish and international market.
2003. Participation in the “Lebanon week” in Barcelona organized by the Institut Européen de la Méditerannée (IEMed). In the program:
Conference « About Lebanese cinema history » given by Aimée Boulos (President of the Fondation) was attended by 300 participants, followed by a discussion.
Film screenings: « When Maryam spoke out » by Assad Fouladkar (in presence of the filmmaker), and a selection of short student films.
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