Independent, community-driven film festival dedicated to celebrating SWANA (South West Asia & North Africa) cinema connecting HERE: Lebanon & ELSEWHERE: a rotating city around the world.
Independent, community-driven film festival dedicated to celebrating SWANA (South West Asia & North Africa) cinema connecting HERE: Lebanon & ELSEWHERE: a rotating city around the world.
Independent, community-driven film festival dedicated to celebrating SWANA (South West Asia & North Africa) cinema connecting HERE: Lebanon & ELSEWHERE: a rotating city around the world.
ELSEWHERE
November 19-20-21, Zalib
Rome, Italy
HERE
October 8-9-10. Beirut Art Center
Beirut, Lebanon
NON-PROFIT, VOLUNTEER LED FILM INITIATIVE THAT HOSTS ANNUAL FILM FESTIVALS:
HERE
OCTOBER 8-9-10, Beirut Art Center
Beirut, Lebanon
ELSEWHERE
OCTOBER 19-20-21, Zalib
Rome, Italy
HERE AND ELSEWHERE
โข
ููุง ูููุงูู
โข
SWANA
HERE
ELSEWHERE
ELSEWHERE
ELSEWHERE
DIASPORA
DIASPORA
ุนู ุงูู ูุฑุฌุงู
ุนู ุงูู ูุฑุฌุงู
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
HERE
HERE
October 8-9-10. Beirut Art Center
Beirut, Lebanon
October 8-9-10. Beirut Art Center
Beirut, Lebanon
ELSEWHERE
ELSEWHERE
November 19-20-21, Zalib
Rome, Italy
November 19-20-21, Zalib
Rome, Italy
WHO WE ARE
HERE & ELSEWHERE (ูููุง ู ูููุงูููู) is an independent, community-driven film festival dedicated to celebrating SWANA (South West Asian and North African) cinema and supporting the filmmakers and communities behind it.
Through film screenings, conversations, and the Spotlight Director Programme, we create space for SWANA stories to be told on their own terms while directly investing in the future of our cinema.
HERE & ELSEWHERE (ูููุง ู ูููุงูููู) is an independent, community-driven film festival dedicated to celebrating SWANA (South West Asian and North African) cinema and supporting the filmmakers and communities behind it.
Through film screenings, conversations, and the Spotlight Director Programme, we create space for SWANA stories to be told on their own terms while directly investing in the future of our cinema.
OUR STORY
Founded in 2025, HERE & ELSEWHERE emerged in response to the structural barriers that continue to limit SWANA filmmakers, from unequal access to funding and industry opportunities to the pressure to conform to narrow, often stereotypical narratives in order to be seen.
The festival was created to build a community-led platform where SWANA filmmakers can share their work, connect with audiences, and receive meaningful support to continue creating.
Founded in 2025, HERE & ELSEWHERE emerged in response to the structural barriers that continue to limit SWANA filmmakers, from unequal access to funding and industry opportunities to the pressure to conform to narrow, often stereotypical narratives in order to be seen.
The festival was created to build a community-led platform where SWANA filmmakers can share their work, connect with audiences, and receive meaningful support to continue creating.
OUR MISSION
Connect the Here (Lebanon) & Elsewhere (International) by connect audiences with diverse perspectives
Support authentic SWANA storytelling through funding and visibility
Create spaces for dialogue, community, and cultural exchange
Connect the Here (Lebanon) & Elsewhere (International) by connect audiences with diverse perspectives
Support authentic SWANA storytelling through funding and visibility
Create spaces for dialogue, community, and cultural exchange
VISION
We envision a film industry where SWANA filmmakers have equitable access to funding, opportunities, and audiences, and where our stories are valued in all their complexity, free from stereotypes, and expectations of what they should be.
We envision a film industry where SWANA filmmakers have equitable access to funding, opportunities, and audiences, and where our stories are valued in all their complexity, free from stereotypes, and expectations of what they should be.
ุงูู ูุงุถูุน
ุงูู ูุงุถูุน
THE THEMES
THE THEMES
THE OTHER
ุงูุขุฎุฑ
RELIGION
ุงูุฏููู
RESISTANCE
ู ูุงูู ุฉ
ARCHIVES
ุฃุฑุดูู
WAR
ุงูุญุฑุจ
IDENTITY
ุงููููุฉ
FAMILY
ุงูุนุงุฆูุฉ
MEMORY
ุงูุฐุงูุฑุฉ
GRIEVING
ุงูุญุฒู
THE SELF
ุงูุฐุงุช
YOUTH
ุงูุดุจุงุจ
POST COLONIAL
ู ุง ุจุนุฏ ุงูุงุณุชุนู ุงุฑ
PLAY
ูุนุจ
HEALING
ุงูุดูุงุก
PROPAGANDA
ุฏุนุงูุฉ
MEMORY
ุงูุฐุงูุฑุฉ
THE OTHER
ุงูุขุฎุฑ
ALIENATION
ุงูุงุบุชุฑุงุจ
MAGIC
ุงูุณุญุฑ
HERE AND ELSEWHERE
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ููุง ูููุงูู
โข
ูุฏูู ูููู ู
ูุฏูู ูููู ู
SUBMIT YOUR FILM
SUBMIT
YOUR FILM
SUBMIT YOUR FILM
DEADLINE
DEADLINE
MAY 24, 2027
MAY 24, 2027
DON'T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO BE PART OF THIS YEAR'S EDITION OF HERE & ELSEWHERE. NOT SURE IF YOUR FILM FITS? TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT OUR GUIDELINES.
DON'T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO BE PART OF THIS YEAR'S EDITION OF HERE & ELSEWHERE. NOT SURE IF YOUR FILM FITS? TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT OUR GUIDELINES.
SUBMISSIONS CLOSED
โข
ุงูุชูุฏูู ุงุช ู ุบููุฉ
โข
We currently ship to Lebanon exclusively.
We currently ship to Lebanon exclusively.
HERE AND ELSEWHERE
โข
ููุง ูููุงูู
โข
The 2026 Beirut edition is supported by Al-MU7AFFIZ - Cultural Grant of the Goethe-Institut Libanon.
ยฉ 2026 HERE AND ELSEWHERE FILM FESTIVAL
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Designed & built by @Lea Skaff
The 2026 Beirut edition is supported by Al-MU7AFFIZ - Cultural Grant of the Goethe-Institut Libanon.
ยฉ 2026 HERE AND ELSEWHERE FILM FESTIVAL
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Designed & built by @Lea Skaff
The 2026 Beirut edition is supported by Al-MU7AFFIZ - Cultural Grant of the Goethe-Institut Libanon.
ยฉ 2026 HERE AND ELSEWHERE FILM FESTIVAL ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Designed & built by @Lea Skaff