REEF Encounters 2024 took place on July 26-28 in Kobayat – Akkar, bringing together filmmakers, environmentalists, and communities to celebrate biodiversity, symbolized by the butterfly. This year’s edition not only highlighted environmental and human diversity but also addressed the devastating impact of war, reflecting on the destruction unfolding in South Lebanon and Palestine and its effects on cultural and ecological heritage.
One of the event’s key moments was the REEF Talk, where experts explored the connection between environmental destruction and identity politics, drawing parallels between biodiversity loss and social fragmentation. Discussions focused on urgent environmental concerns, from soil rehabilitation to ecosystem resilience in times of war.
This year’s encounters were marked by the premiere of the “Biodiversity & Cinema” films. The initiative brought together filmmakers and environmental activists who were mentored by REEF to create short documentaries on biodiversity. The festival’s annual short-film competition honored works that addressed environmental and social issues, with winners selected by both a professional jury and the public. Acclaimed films such as “Les Chenilles” by Michelle and Joelle Keserwany and “Goodbye Julia” by Mohammad Kordofani were also featured, offering powerful narratives on identity, migration, and cultural heritage.
Nature remained at the heart of REEF, with guided educational hikes through diverse landscapes, led by biodiversity experts and former REEF Ambassadors. These treks allowed participants to connect with the environment while learning about Lebanon’s rich ecosystems. Sustainability was another key focus, with REEF reinforcing its zero-waste commitment by ensuring proper waste sorting and recycling. An upcycling workshop with designer Rytta Couture encouraged creativity by transforming old fabrics into new garments. Two exhibitions—“Lebanon: A Treasure of Biodiversity” and “From Ink to Action”—showcased the role of photography and comic art in raising awareness about environmental challenges.
Honoring Akkar’s rural traditions, REEF’s culinary program featured communal dinners prepared by local women, celebrating the ancestral practice of foraging. A special workshop on potatoes, a staple crop in the region, explored innovative ways to create sustainable income opportunities.
Building on last year’s success, the REEF Ambassadors Program brought together young people aged 12 to 17, who followed a tailor-made program (information sessions on biodiversity and biomimicry, screenings, introduction to film criticism…) and took part in the Encounters’ activities and shared their experience with the audience.
The Encounters concluded with a moving performance by Palestinian singer Salwa Jaradat, whose tribute to Southern Lebanon and Palestine resonated deeply with the audience.
