Berlinale Spotlight: Generation in Beirut

For many years, the Berlinale has been present around the world with specially curated programmes. The Berlinale Spotlight extends the festival period, and thus, makes the activities of the Berlinale visible throughout the entire year.

For the first time, Berlinale Generation is cooperating with the Beirut Shorts International Film Festival and will present a jointly curated programme to young audiences, with films that premiered in the Generation Kplus and Generation 14plus competitions in the last years.

The Beirut Shorts International Film Festival, organised by the Beirut Film Society, will take place in Beirut, Lebanon, from November 2 to 7, 2025. As Lebanon’s leading short film event and an Academy Awards qualifying festival for Best Live Action, Documentary, and Animation Short, it offers a dynamic platform for cultural dialogue, creativity, and resilience - empowering emerging voices and celebrating the vitality of youth in cinema. This commitment reflects the Beirut Film Society’s mission as a non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing responsible filmmaking, film education, and cultural diplomacy in Lebanon and beyond.

“The selection of this Berlinale Spotlight spans the globe in a multitude of forms. These films open the gaze to the world of young people, their desires and challenges, their struggles and dreams. We are excited to continue on the path of conceiving of cinema as a space for dialogue and exchange with our partners in Beirut”, says Sebastian Markt, section head of Generation.

Aaaah ! by Osman Cerfon
France 2023
Generation Kplus 2023

Little Rebels Cinema Club by Khozy Rizal 
Indonesia 2024
Crystal Bear for the Best Short Film Generation Kplus 2025

Waking up in Silence by Mila Zhluktenko and Daniel Asadi Faezi
Germany / Ukraine 2023
Grand Prix of the Generation Kplus International Jury for the Best Short Film 2023 

Ruse by Rhea Shukla
India 2025
Generation Kplus 2025

Timis by Awa Moctar Gueye
Senegal 2023
Generation Kplus 2023

Sukoun by Dina Naser
Jordan / Egypt / Palestine 2024
Special Mention of the Generation Kplus Children’s Jury 2024

Crushed by Ella Rocca
Switzerland 2022
Generation 14plus 2023

Arame farpado by Gustavo de Carvalho 
Brazil 2025
Generation 14plus 2025

When a Rocket Sits on the Launch Pad by Bohao Liu
People’s Republic of China / USA 2023
Generation 14plus 2023

The Girl Who Lived in the Loo by Subarna Dash
India 2024
Generation 14plus 2024

Cura sana by Lucía G. Romero
Spain 2024
Crystal Bear for the Best Short Film Generation 14plus 2024

More information about the Beirut Shorts International Film Festival.