The Lebanese Film Festival is back, bigger and better than ever in 2023!
Discover the captivating cinema and vibrant spirit of Lebanon at the remarkable 11th edition of the Lebanese Film Festival Australia.
From 17th August to 2nd September 2023, get ready to immerse yourself in the captivating world of Lebanese cinema.
Be swept away by a diverse selection of thought-provoking films, cultural celebrations, and engaging discussions.
Under the patronage of Australian film icon Bryan Brown AM and award-winning journalist and author Antoinette Lattouf since its inception, the Lebanese Film Festival has become a national arts and cultural event, attracting diverse audiences from all over Australia.
This year’s event will showcase 34 films including 12 feature films, 3 feature-length documentaries and 19 short films. From gripping dramas to heartwarming comedies, this festival promises to entertain, enlighten, and inspire all!
Highlights include:
Opening Night - Screening of comedy feature film Carona . Opening Night is an opportunity for guests to immerse in Lebanese film, sound and flavours. The highlights reel gives you a taste of what can be expected from our opening night.
A special day dedicated to short films and documentaries. On Saturday, 19 August, LFF will screen 24 films at the Bankstown Arts Centre. Documentaries and shorts range from short comedy films to documentaries on how Lebanon is still reeling from the impacts of the 4 August blast. Documentary films include The Cypriot Maronites, an insight into this several hundreds of year old Maronite minority who are fighting to save their language and traditions in Cyprus amid the island’s division. Full shorts program and registration available here.
At 3.45pm, join SBS’s Darren Mara in presenting SBS Dateline’s documentary episode Bank Robbers, which explores the current banking and economic crisis in Lebanon. Darren will talk about his experiences in Beirut shooting the film and what he took away from it. For registration, click here.
Festival organisers are proud to be presenting two local Australian productions Hostile Forces (by George Basha) and Streets of Colour (by Ronnie Riskallah), both filmed in Western Sydney and featuring a cast of Lebanese-Australian actors and actresses. Both directors will present their films, followed by a Q&A.
The film program also includes a range of comedy films, with our biggest lineup of feature films in 11 years. From Big Lie to Carona,Dyouf Sharaf (Guests of Honour) and El Fil (The Elephant), there are plenty of laughs. There are also films that touch on Lebanon’s history and serious issues such as Mother Valley and Jacir . Full program of films screening at Hoyts Bankstown, Hoyts Broadway and The Theatre in Bankstown Sports Club are available here.
Closing Night - Comedy film El Fil (The Elephant) by Sami Koujan will be screened at the Bankstown Sports Club, preceded by Lebanese food and drinks. Join us in wrapping up the Festival on what is normally a Festival favourite event! For tickets and more info, click here . Tickets are $50 and include food and film!
Don't miss this unique opportunity to experience the magic of Lebanese cinema right here in the vibrant and diverse city centre of Bankstown.
Immerse yourself unforgettable celebration of Lebanese culture through the lens of cinema! Follow Lebanese Film Festival Australia on Facebook and Instagram or visit LFF.org.au to view the full program and receive exciting updates.
A special thanks to City of Canterbury-Bankstown, Screen NSW, Bankstown Sports, Western Union, and all our supporting sponsors and partners for making this festival possible.
