Private Project

Moon Tides

Aya, a Muslim girl wearing a hijab, is spending the weekend in Batroun at her Christian friend Lea. Away from her environment Aya steps out of her bubble for the first time, while Lea is simply living a normal day to her. Riding a scooter heading to a pub they hit a taxi. This led to unexpected events through which Aya finds herself and helps her overcome the dilemma she always suffered from concerning her religion, traditions and personal beliefs.

  • Assil Khalife
    Director
  • Assil Khalife
    Writer
  • Assil Khalife
    Producer
  • Tea Tannouri
    Key Cast
    "Aya"
  • Hiba Sleiman
    Key Cast
    "Lea"
  • Sam Brennan
    Key Cast
    "Tom"
  • Rabih Ahmar
    Key Cast
    "Philippe"
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Coming of Age
  • Runtime:
    15 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    February 15, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    5,200 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Lebanon
  • Country of Filming:
    Lebanon
  • Language:
    Arabic, English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Notre Dame University - Louaize
  • GSA BAFTA Student Awards

    United Kingdom
    May 12, 2021
    Shortlisted
  • Drama International Short Film Festival
    Thessaloniki
    Greece
    September 12, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Batroun Mediterranean Film Festival
    Batroun
    Lebanon
    September 3, 2021
    Best National Film - winner
  • Beirut Women Film Festival
    Beirut
    Lebanon
    July 22, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Cabriolet Film Festival
    Beirut
    Lebanon
    June 5, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Cindependent Film Festival

    United States
    November 10, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Lebanese Film Festival in Canada
    Ottawa, Montréal and Toronto
    Canada
    October 7, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Rabat International Author Film Festival
    Rabat
    Morocco
    October 21, 2021
    Official Selection
  • San Jose International Film Awards
    San Jose
    Costa Rica
    November 18, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Dalmatia Film Festival
    Split
    Croatia
    December 1, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Amsterdam Lift-Off Film Festival
    Amesterdam
    Netherlands
    October 7, 2021
    Official Selection
Distribution Information
  • Assil Khalife
Director Biography - Assil Khalife

Assil is a young Lebanese filmmaker. She persuaded her Bachelor’s degree from Notre Dame University-Louaize, Lebanon, in Audio Visual & Film, with two concentrations: Cinematography and film directing & scriptwriting. She worked on many freelance projects, mostly student short films, and “Moon Tides” is her first written, directed and produced short film. In addition to that, she directed her first short theatrical play in 2017. Plus, she's eager to extend her filmography and specialize in underwater photography and videography.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

My film is a bit personal, cultural, and harsh due to the environment I live in. Lately I found out that I’ve been living my whole life blindly following the steps of my parents. Until one day I went out of my “comfort zone”, or at least the one I thought it was, and figured that this is not what I believe in nor the way I want to spend the rest of my life. The struggle between giving up to my traditions, family and environment or just follow my heart. Thus, this film is kind of an escape to express the dilemma I’m going through right now.