المبادرات
المبادرات
INITIATIVES
INITIATIVES
برنامج "سبوتلايت" للمخرجين
برنامج "سبوتلايت" للمخرجين
SPOTLIGHT DIRECTOR PROGRAM
SPOTLIGHT DIRECTOR PROGRAM
APPLY FOR SPOTLIGHT DIRECTOR
APPLY FOR SPOTLIGHT DIRECTOR
SUBMISSIONS CLOSED
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التقديمات مغلقة
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REOPENS IN 2027
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يُعاد افتتاحه في عام 2027
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Open Call Begins in January
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يبدأ في شهر يناير
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ENDS IN MARCH
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يبدأ في شهر يناير
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HOW IT WORKS
Each year, HERE & ELSEWHERE (هُنا و هُنالِكَ) selects one Spotlight Director.
The program is designed to help bring new projects of emerging SWANA filmmakers to life by offering visibility and financial support.
Each year, HERE & ELSEWHERE (هُنا و هُنالِكَ) selects one Spotlight Director.
The program is designed to help bring new projects of emerging SWANA filmmakers to life by offering visibility and financial support.
HOW IT WORKS
Each year, HERE & ELSEWHERE (هُنا و هُنالِكَ) selects one Spotlight Director.
The program is designed to help bring new projects of emerging SWANA filmmakers to life by offering visibility and financial support.
VISIBILITY
The Spotlight Director is featured across our social media platforms and on this website.
Screenings of their previous work are showcased at the festival, introducing audiences to their filmmaking journey while building excitement for their upcoming project.
During the festival, they are invited to attend in person, participate in a Q&A or/and keynotes and network with other artists and film-lovers.
The Spotlight Director is featured across our social media platforms and on this website.
Screenings of their previous work are showcased at the festival, introducing audiences to their filmmaking journey while building excitement for their upcoming project.
During the festival, they are invited to attend in person, participate in a Q&A or/and keynotes and network with other artists and film-lovers.
VISIBILITY
The Spotlight Director is featured across our social media platforms and on this website.
Screenings of their previous work are showcased at the festival, introducing audiences to their filmmaking journey while building excitement for their upcoming project.
During the festival, they are invited to attend in person, participate in a Q&A or/and keynotes and network with other artists and film-lovers.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
50% of all festival ticket sale profits are dedicated to funding the Spotlight Director's upcoming project showcasing raw authentic SWANA films.
50% of all festival ticket sale profits are dedicated to funding the Spotlight Director's upcoming project showcasing raw authentic SWANA films.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
50% of all festival ticket sale profits are dedicated to funding the Spotlight Director's upcoming project showcasing raw authentic SWANA films.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications for the Spotlight Director Program open every WINTER.
Eligible SWANA filmmakers with a project currently in development are invited to apply through our annual open call.
Any questions? Reach out to Fateema, our Head of Programming.
Applications for the Spotlight Director Program open every WINTER.
Eligible SWANA filmmakers with a project currently in development are invited to apply through our annual open call.
Any questions? Reach out to Fateema, our Head of Programming.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications for the Spotlight Director Program open every WINTER.
Eligible SWANA filmmakers with a project currently in development are invited to apply through our annual open call.
Any questions? Reach out to Fateema, our Head of Programming.
PREVIOUS SPOTLIGHT DIRECTORS
Since the programme's launch, HERE & ELSEWHERE has supported a growing community of filmmakers by showcasing their work and contributing directly to the development of their next projects.
Since the programme's launch, HERE & ELSEWHERE has supported a growing community of filmmakers by showcasing their work and contributing directly to the development of their next projects.
PREVIOUS SPOTLIGHT DIRECTORS
Since the programme's launch, HERE & ELSEWHERE has supported a growing community of filmmakers by showcasing their work and contributing directly to the development of their next projects.
As the program grows, this page will continue to highlight past Spotlight Directors and the projects they have gone on to create with the support of the HERE & ELSEWHERE community.
As the program grows, this page will continue to highlight past Spotlight Directors and the projects they have gone on to create with the support of the HERE & ELSEWHERE community.
CINDY CHEHAB
CINDY CHEHAB
2026
I Learned How to Scream
I Learned How to Scream
Mid-Length Documentary
Mid-Length Documentary
Arabic/English
Arabic/English
The film explores how a chronic disease traveled through generations of women in my family. Is this legacy biological, or born from oppression?
The film explores how a chronic disease traveled through generations of women in my family. Is this legacy biological, or born from oppression?
Fateema Al-Hamaydeh Miller
Fateema Al-Hamaydeh Miller
2025
Amwaj’ / Waves
Amwaj’ / Waves
Narrative feature
Narrative feature
English
English
Nada struggles against her PTSD to find belonging as a mixed-race Palestinian woman and as an artist. When her cousin Mohamed arrives as a refugee from Palestine, their friendship helps Nada reconcile her fractured identity, begin to heal & find her voice.
Nada struggles against her PTSD to find belonging as a mixed-race Palestinian woman and as an artist. When her cousin Mohamed arrives as a refugee from Palestine, their friendship helps Nada reconcile her fractured identity, begin to heal & find her voice.
دعم المجتمع
دعم المجتمع
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Every year, HERE & ELSEWHERE dedicates 50% of festival ticket revenue to a community initiative whose work reflects the values at the heart of the festival.
The program is designed to extend the impact of cinema beyond the screen by supporting grassroots organizations and amplifying the important work they do within SWANA communities.
We provide financial support to grassroots initiatives working directly with communities.
We showcase their work across our social media platforms and website, helping amplify their stories and reach.
Every year, HERE & ELSEWHERE dedicates 50% of festival ticket revenue to a community initiative whose work reflects the values at the heart of the festival.
The program is designed to extend the impact of cinema beyond the screen by supporting grassroots organizations and amplifying the important work they do within SWANA communities.
We provide financial support to grassroots initiatives working directly with communities.
We showcase their work across our social media platforms and website, helping amplify their stories and reach.
2026
Nation Station is a grassroots organisation providing meals, essential supplies, and community support to people affected by forced displacement in Lebanon.
Nation Station is a grassroots organisation providing meals, essential supplies, and community support to people affected by forced displacement in Lebanon.
2025
Gaza Skate Team is a volunteer-led collective using skateboarding and community care to support children and young people in Gaza. In the midst of conflict and displacement it uses skateboarding to help children release fear, stress and trauma.
Gaza Skate Team is a volunteer-led collective using skateboarding and community care to support children and young people in Gaza. In the midst of conflict and displacement it uses skateboarding to help children release fear, stress and trauma.
تعزيز بناء المجتمع
تعزيز بناء المجتمع
PROMOTE COMMUNITY BUILDING
PROMOTE COMMUNITY BUILDING
HERE & ELSEWHERE aims to help SWANA voices reach audiences across borders by breaking down barriers and creating stronger connections between filmmakers, communities, and audiences.
We do so by:
Creating accessible spaces where SWANA stories can be shared, discovered, and celebrated. Through our partnership with local Beirut NGO, Ahla Fawda, we gift festival tickets to community members who may not otherwise have the opportunity to attend, helping to make cinema and art accessible to all.
Bringing the festival to two locations each year: Here, in Lebanon, and Elsewhere, in a different city around the world, creating opportunities for SWANA filmmakers and audiences to connect across borders. As HERE & ELSEWHERE continues to grow, we aim to create more opportunities for connection, exchange, and collaboration between SWANA communities worldwide.
HERE & ELSEWHERE aims to help SWANA voices reach audiences across borders by breaking down barriers and creating stronger connections between filmmakers, communities, and audiences.
We do so by:
Creating accessible spaces where SWANA stories can be shared, discovered, and celebrated. Through our partnership with local Beirut NGO, Ahla Fawda, we gift festival tickets to community members who may not otherwise have the opportunity to attend, helping to make cinema and art accessible to all.
Bringing the festival to two locations each year: Here, in Lebanon, and Elsewhere, in a different city around the world, creating opportunities for SWANA filmmakers and audiences to connect across borders. As HERE & ELSEWHERE continues to grow, we aim to create more opportunities for connection, exchange, and collaboration between SWANA communities worldwide.
HERE AND ELSEWHERE
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هنا وهنالك
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The 2026 Beirut edition is supported by Al-MUZAFFIZ - Cultural Grant of the Goethe-Institut Libanon.
© 2026 HERE AND ELSEWHERE FILM FESTIVAL
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Designed by @Lea Skaff
The 2026 Beirut edition is supported by Al-MUZAFFIZ - Cultural Grant of the Goethe-Institut Libanon.
© 2026 HERE AND ELSEWHERE FILM FESTIVAL
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Designed by @Lea Skaff
The 2026 Beirut edition is supported by Al-MUZAFFIZ - Cultural Grant of the Goethe-Institut Libanon.
© 2026 HERE AND ELSEWHERE FILM FESTIVAL ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Designed by @Lea Skaff