Elie Khalife is a Lebanese director, screenwriter and producer whose career spans over three decades and multiple award-winning projects. Elie studied film at the Geneva University of Art and Design (HEAD). Lebanon is both the backdrop and inspiration to his work. 
Elie’s body of work is primarily based on his own material and showcases his comedic streak with award-winning shorts like “Taxi Service” (1996), “Merci Natex” (1998) and his first feature “Yanoosak” (2010). Elie also directed “Single Married Divorced” (2015), a highly popular comedy. “ 
Elie's latest project, "State of Agitation," which premiered at the Mostra de Valencia in 2020, is his third feature film and the first in which he also stars as an actor. 
In addition to his personal projects, Elie Khalife shares his expertise by teaching filmmaking at various Lebanese universities and offering guidance to students on their graduation projects and participating in numerous cinema workshops. Recently, he served as a script tutor for the Prelude section of the Red Sea Lodge 2023 and 2024 Program.

Hala Galal is an Egyptian director, script writer and producer. She directed 18 films and produced more than 15 films, some of her films toured the world and won international prizes.  Since 2002, she initiated several education opportunities, providing young potential filmmakers with basics of filmmaking, and helped create networks to support independent filmmaking in Egypt and the Arab region. She co-founded “SEMAT Production and Distribution” which she has been managing since its inception. Hala was a jury member in numerous international, regional and local festivals.
Today she is the president of Isamilia International Film Festival.
 

Lebanese actress who embarked on her acting journey at the prestigious Rahbani Theater during her very first year of studying theatrical arts. Since then, she has gracefully transitioned between television, theater, and cinema, leaving an indelible mark in each realm.

Her impressive body of work boasts numerous successful projects, earning her accolades and recognition in the industry. Her exceptional talent has not only secured her multiple awards for her performances but has also seen her invited to sit on esteemed jury panels at various international film festivals.

Self-taught Tunisian and Franco-Italian, Anissa Daoud is an actress, writer, producer and director. Her early career was marked by award-winning roles in films such as TENDRESSE DU LOUP by Jilani Saadi, PRINTEMPS TUNISIEN by Raja Amari, LES FRONTIERES DU CIEL by Fares Naanaa, DEMAIN DES L'AUBE by Lotfi Achour, which she co-wrote and produced, and LA BELLE ET LA MEUTE by Kaouthar Ben Hania. She also co-founded A.P.A. (Artistes Producteurs Associés), a production structure combining creativity and social commitment. Within A.P.A, she writes and produces for both theater and cinema, with works such as LA LAINE SUR LE DOS (official selection Cannes 2016), LES AIGLES DE CARTHAGE (Mostra De Venice 2020), ANGLE MORT (Clermont-Ferrand 2022) and LES ENFANTS ROUGES (Festival de Locarno 2024). As a director, she distinguished herself with BEST DAY EVER (Tunisian Factory at the Cannes Directors' Fortnight 2018), LE BAIN (winner of numerous awards). In 2024 as part of a collection of short films called NOUVELLES HÉROINES, she directed the short film MME MAZOUNI ET DR LOVE. Today, Anissa Daoud chooses to focus on her career as an actress and director, and on writing her first feature-length fiction film, always with the aim of continuing to develop her artistic universe, at the crossroads of disciplines and with a strong political dimension.

Deema Azar is a Jordanian film producer and script consultant. She is also co-founder and managing partner at the Amman-based production company TaleBox.

Azar produced Darin J. Sallam's award-winning debut feature film FARHA (2021). The film premiered at the 46th Toronto International Film Festival, was selected as Jordan’s official entry to the 95th Academy Awards (Oscars) 2023 and received the Best Youth Film award at the 15th Asia Pacific Screen Awards (the Asian Oscars), marking a historic first win for Jordan at APSA.

She also produced the short film THE PARROT (2016), recipient of the 2015 Film Prize of the Robert Bosch Stiftung.

Previous positions occupied by Azar include Regional Training Manager at the Royal Film Commission – Jordan (2012 - 2016) and Head of Industry at the Amman Intl. Film Festival (2020).

A member of the Asia Pacific Screen Academy and a Torino Film Lab Story Editing program alumna, Azar also works as a script consultant, conducting script development labs and advising for film entities regionally and internationally in addition to privately consulting on film projects.
 

George Peter Barbari was born in Orange County, California to an Argentinian mother and Lebanese father. He grew up in Batroun, a small town on the shores of North Lebanon. His first feature film, Death of a Virgin, and the Sin of Not Living premiered at the Berlin Film Festival in the Panorama section to rave reviews. It then picked up the Grand Jury prize and the FIPRESCI award at the Istanbul Film Festival, the Audience Award at the New Horizon Film Festival in Poland, and the Best First Feature Award at the Leiden Film Festival in the Netherlands. It was selected for many other prestigious film festivals such as Zürich, Cork, Trois Continent, Bergen, and many others. He is now developing his second feature film titled So the Lovers Could Come Out Again.