The film is a joint production between Lebanon and the UK.
The Sun Sets on Beirut directed by Daniela Stephan is set to compete at Finland’s 54th Tampere Film Festival, running from March 6 to 10, renowned as one of the Oscar, BAFTA, and EFA qualifying film festivals, as well as one of Europe’s top three largest short film festivals alongside Clermont-Ferrand (France) and Oberhausen (Germany).
The film is slated to screen twice as part of the festival’s Animal Factor International Competition, first on Wednesday, March 6, at 3 pm at Cine Atlas 1, and then again at 2:30 pm the following day at Cine Atlas 4.
Directed by Daniela Stephan, who previously clinched the Best Female Director award at the Tokyo International Short Film Festival for her work Mummy Blue, and produced by BAFTA Connect member Yuenho Sung alongside Fayez Abou Khater, The Sun Sets on Beirut delves into the aftermath of the unprecedented non-nuclear explosion that rocked Beirut, exploring its profound impact on a generation grappling with post-war realities, while touching on universal themes such as loss of identity, grief, and belonging.
The narrative follows Mounia as she searches for her lost cat amidst the ruins left by the Beirut 2020 port explosion, accompanied by her best friend Ghady, whose attention is divided between assisting and flirting with a British journalist, as they navigate through the remnants of their city in a quest to reclaim what has been lost.
Having premiered at InterFilm Berlin, The Sun Sets on Beirut has already made its mark at numerous prestigious film festivals, garnering four awards including Best Student Film at the Olhares do Mediterraneo International Women’s Film Festival, the Grand Prize, and Jury Special Mention at Les Nuits Mediterraneennes du Court Métrage, and the Audience Vote Award at the Beirut International Women’s Film Festival.
The cast features Lebanese actress and singer Marilyn Naaman, alongside Pio Chihane, Jo McGarry, and Salma Chalaby.
With worldwide distribution handled by MAD Solutions, The Sun Sets on Beirut is a collaborative effort between Lebanon and the UK, involving production companies London Film School and Sky Lantern Productions, and captured through the lens of cinematographer Fatma Racha Shehadeh.
