Beirut International Women Film Festival (BWFF) is an annual event organized in Beirut by Beirut Film Society, under the theme “Women for Leadership” highlighting the role of women as leaders in their societies; and gathering filmmakers and cinema lovers from all over the world. BWFF tackles issues such gender equality, sexual identity, domestic violence among others through the power of the lens and cinema which is the window to society and particularly women in this case.
BWFF, which comprises films about women and/or executed by women, aims to highlight the power of women in different life situations, the festival organizers believe in promoting a positive image of women struggling with dignity to make a change in their environment.
The Phoenician Goddess Tanith is the Symbol of the festival; "Tanith" is the Great Phoenician Goddess of Carthage, known through the ancient Mediterranean, and worshipped as a chief Deity. She is a Sky Goddess who ruled over the Sun, Stars, and Moon; and as a Mother Goddess She was invoked for fertility. The palm tree is Hers, as the desert version of the Tree of Life; and as symbolic of the life-force of the Earth the serpent is Hers as well, and her other symbols include the dove, grapes and the pomegranate (both symbolic of fruitfulness and fertility), the crescent moon, and the lion.
BWFF took "Tanith" as its symbol, and the "Tanith of Beirut" as its prime award.
National Competition:
Best Lebanese Feature Film
Best Lebanese Feature Documentary
Best Lebanese Short Film
Best Lebanese Short Documentary
Best Lebanese Animated Film
International Competition:
Best Feature Fiction Film
Best Feature Documentary Film
Best Feature Animated Film
Best Short Fiction Film
Best Short Documentary Film
Best Short Animated Film
Best Female Director
Best Female Cinematographer
Best Actress