'Les Chenilles' is a directorial debut of the Lebanese duo Michelle and Noel Keserwany.
French-Lebanese short film Les Chenilles — directed by the Keserwany Sisters, Michelle, and Noel — took home the Best Short Film Award at the recently concluded Tripoli Film Festival in Lebanon — which ran from September 19 to 25.
This accolade adds to the film’s growing list of achievements, which includes the Gouna Star for Best Arab Short Film at the El Gouna Film Festival, the Jury Award at the Mizna Arab Film Festival and awards for Best Acting and Best Screenplay at the Mieres Film Festival. Additionally, it secured the Best Script award at the Festival du Film Libanais de France.
The film, which made its world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival, is notable for being the first Arab short to win the Golden Bear for Best Short Film. Les Chenilles has also been honoured with the Jury Prize at the Malmö Arab Film Festival, the Audience Award at the Champs-Élysées Film Festival, a Special Mention at the Kinmastik International Short Film Festival in Malta, and Best Short Film at the Arab Film Festival. It was also nominated for the Best Short Film Award by the European Film Academy.
The film has been featured in over 20 esteemed international film festivals, including Format Court, Lichter, Golden Harvest, Diaspora, Kurzfilm, SAFAR, Tetova, Concorto, Dokufest, Kerala, FIRST and Golden Ger.
Les Chenilles tells the story of two waitresses, Asma and Sarah, from the Levant, who work together in a restaurant in Lyon, France, while carrying the burden of a homeland they had to leave. Despite initial mistrust, they discover a shared connection linked to the historic Silk Road. The film explores their journey as they navigate their past and find solace in each other amidst forced migration.
Written and directed by Michelle and Noel Keserwany, Les Chenilles stars Noel Keserwany and Masa Zaher. It is produced by Biennale de Lyon, Dewberries Film and Marine Vaillant, with cinematography by Karim Ghorayeb and editing by Konstantin Bock. Italy-based Lights On handles its international sales, while MAD Distribution manages its distribution in the Arab-speaking world.
