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. 

Photo Little Rebels Cinema Club

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. 

The following films will be presented as Berlinale Spotlight: Generation at the Beirut Shorts International Film Festival: 

Kplus 

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 

14plus  

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.