Beirut Art Film Festival navigates political crisis with multi-confessional vision

The third Beirut Art Film Festival (BAFF) took place from November 14 to 25, 2017, during a diplomatic upheaval following the resignation of Lebanon's prime minister in Saudi Arabia. Established by Alice Mogabgab, the festival aimed to unite the diverse communities of Beirut. It was divided into two segments: intramuros at Cinema Metropolis from November 14 to 19, and extramuros at various venues from November 20 to 25. Notable features included a mini-retrospective of filmmaker Hady Zaccak, presenting films such as 'Des pionniers libanais du cinéma' (1995) and 'A History Lesson' (2009). The festival commenced with David Bickerstaff's 'Michelangelo, Love and Death' and showcased documentaries like 'Underwater Pompei' along with a graphic novel by Patrick Chappatte about the Israeli invasion's effects. Music performances included Placido Domingo and Oum Kalthoum.