REEF’s 4th edition in Kobayat

The focus of REEF Encounters that was held in Kobayat in 2022 evolved around a Zero Waste festival edition, alongside exploring important issues from our reality. The environmental theme was TREES and rural theme was SOLIDARITY.

REEF 2022 focused on the HYENA as the animal mascot. As the stripped Lebanese Hyena is being killed and its existence is threatened, REEF thrived to shed light on the positive side of Hyena and encourage its protection. Around 9 international films were screened of which the opening film “Le Chêne/ The Oak Tree” and the closing film “The “Territory”. A short film competition took place under the theme of Solidarity and 10 films competed for 3 awards. The international jury composed of Spanish producer Felipe Lage Coro, Egyptian filmmaker Amal Ramsis, and Lebanese actress Christine Choueiri.

An animation workshop for the youth and a short film workshop for the women took place and the results were shown during the festival. The overall program of REEF 2022 was formed from a large pool of activities, workshops, hikes, music performances by Al Faiha’a Choir and films centered around the environment, youth, women, local producers, and bridging audiences and people. A special film program accompanied this edition on Aflamuna.online.
The REEF Encounters were followed by a Storytelling for Climate Lebanon Lab that was held in Kobayat on September 5, 2022. An environmental day during which selected filmmakers had the opportunity to present their films to activists.

REEF Encounters’ extension in Rashaya Al Wadi

In partnership with “Rashaya and Beyond” eco-tourist association, REEF’s extended for the first time in the Bekaa region in the town of Rashaya Al Wadi. During a whole week-end, an event featured discovery hikes, discussions over environmental issues and open-air film screenings. REEF also celebrated “The day of the grape molasses”, an event that Rachaya and Beyond has been organizing since 2016.