Biodiversity & Cinema Impact Campaign

Date

2024-2025

Location

Lebanon

In December 2023, REEF launched the “Biodiversity & Cinema” initiative bringing together 22 ecologists and filmmakers to collaborate on a groundbreaking project. This led to the creation of eight compelling films, each tackling urgent biodiversity challenges in Lebanon, including:

The impact of pesticides and permaculture in Bekaa
Privatization of public natural sites in northern Lebanon
Threats from invasive plant species
Illegal hunting and the need for stronger regulations
Preserving Lebanon’s endemic species
Challenges surrounding water resources
Connections between traditional feminine practices and land conservation

From Premiere to Nationwide Screenings

After its national premiere in Kobayat (Summer 2024), the film series embarked on a nationwide screening tour through key partnerships. One notable collaboration was with Buzuruna Juzuruna—an organic school-farm and heirloom seed producer—where the films were featured in the “Bouzour and Aflam” tour, reaching audiences in Saida, Saadnayel, Stayha, Mejdlaya, and Bcharré.
In January 2025, Metropolis Cinema in Beirut hosted the official Beirut premiere, gathering filmmakers, environmentalists, and the public for an engaging discussion on the films’ themes and real-world implications.

Expanding the Impact: A Call for Action

REEF aims to take this project further, tailoring screenings to local environmental concerns and engaging key stakeholders, including experts, NGOs, national and local partners, and advocacy groups. This impact campaign, running through the end of 2025, seeks to:

– Foster community dialogue on pressing environmental issues
– Promote sustainable solutions and practices
– Integrate the films into schools, universities, and online platforms to inspire a cultural shift

Join Us in Driving Change

By supporting this campaign, you can help raise awareness, spark action, and contribute to a more sustainable future. To get involved, contact REEF and be part of the movement for environmental justice.