In 2023, REEF hosted two competitions for short and medium-length films, showcasing works centered on environmental, cultural, and social transformations. Out of approximately 120 submissions for the short-length film competition, 11 were shortlisted. The medium-length film competition sought to expand REEF’s global presence, drawing submissions from 32 countries. These selected films were screened at the Silk Factory during REEF Encounters 2023, where a professional jury awarded first and second prizes in the short-film category.

Meanwhile, REEF’s young ambassadors underwent specialized training to evaluate the medium-length films and ultimately selected the winner.

Additionally, an exclusive online selection featuring nine short films was streamed on www.aflamuna.online in September 2023, where audiences participated in the voting process to determine the recipient of the Audience Award.

The first prize was given by the professional jury to the The Claw Machine by George Salameh. As a member of the jury, the visual effects expert and post-producer, Mahmoud Korek, praised its minimalist black-and-white animation, which powerfully evokes the destruction of cities like Gaza, Beirut, and Aleppo. “It reminds us that transformations don’t just change us—they devour us.”

The jury’s second prize went to “Pas loin d’ici” by Jihad Saadé. The jury commended the performances of Rabih El-Ahmar and Léa Jarih, with Nada Bou Farhat, actress and member of the jury, noting, “The film gently leads us to invisible transformations, reflecting Beirut’s bottled-up borders that now live within us.”

A special mention was given to “How My Grandmother Became a Chair” by Nicolas Fattouh. Hadi Zaccak, director and third member of the jury described it as a poetic and visually striking animation exploring aging, family ties, and class differences.
As an amateur jury, the “Young REEF Ambassadors” awarded the Colombian medium-length film *Sonic Forest* by Josh Thome and Simón Hernández. They praised its depiction of indigenous Colombians’ struggle to preserve their heritage and its seamless blend of natural sounds with music.