Sam Lahoud is a highly accomplished figure in the film, theater, and media industry. He has an extensive background as a scriptwriter, director, producer, script consultant, and lecturer. His career began in 1994, and since then, he has written, directed, and produced theater plays, films, and documentaries that have gained significant recognition and awards both nationally and internationally.
Some notable works in his filmography include "Void," which was the Lebanese submission to the Academy Awards in 2015, "Meido" in 2016, "Jamil a Flying Soul" in 2017, "Good Morning" in 2018, and "C-Section," which was shortlisted for the HFPA Golden Globes in 2020.
Sam Lahoud's contributions to Lebanese cinema have been acknowledged in the Arab Cinema Center Magazine – Cannes Film Festival Edition for three consecutive years (2018, 2019, 2022) as one of the top 101 personalities that matter in Arab cinema.
Aside from his creative work, Sam Lahoud has been actively involved in various initiatives and organizations within the film industry. He is the Founding Chair of the Beirut Film Society, a non-profit association focused on promoting responsible filmmaking in Lebanon and the Arab world. He has played a crucial role in envisioning a "Film Friendly Lebanon" by advocating for the establishment of the Lebanon Cinema City, the Lebanese Film Commission, and the activation of the National Fund for Film and Theater in collaboration with the ministries of Culture and Tourism in Lebanon; He is also an active member in the Lebanese Film Committee and the Ministry of Culture.
Furthermore, Sam Lahoud is the Founder and Managing Partner of Berytus Production, and his contributions extend beyond his creative and academic pursuits. He has actively championed women and youth empowerment as well as advocated for human rights. Through his initiatives in founding various film festivals, including the Beirut International Women Film Festival, Beirut Shorts International Film Festival, Beirut International Children and Family Film Festival, Cinema for Peace Summer Academy, Morocco Shorts, and the Lebanese Film Festival in Canada, Lahoud has provided platforms for diverse voices and perspectives to be heard.
He has also served as a jury member and panelist in numerous local and international film festivals and competitions, using these opportunities to promote responsible filmmaking and advocate for social justice. Through his multifaceted engagement, Lahoud demonstrates his commitment to fostering empowerment, inclusivity, and the protection of human rights within the realm of film and beyond; He serves as advisory board member at Mentor Arabia, Maharat Foundation, and Visionaire Media, in addition to being a curator for the HFPA Scholarship Award for the Middle East and North Africa.
Academically, Sam Lahoud is currently a Senior Lecturer in Media and Film at Notre Dame University – Louaize. He previously held positions as the Founding Director of Communications, Chairperson of the Department of Media Studies, and the founder and head of the Division of Audio-Visual Arts at the same university. He is pursuing a Ph.D. in Media Studies at Saint Joseph University – Beirut, and holds master's degrees in Media Studies - Electronic Journalism and Public Relations from NDU, and an MA in Scriptwriting from Saint Joseph University (IESAV), as well as a bachelor's degree in Communication Arts, Radio, Television, and Film from NDU.
In addition to his academic positions and educational background, Sam Lahoud has also been actively involved in curriculum development for over 17 years. He has contributed to shaping educational programs and has played a role in research as a supervisor and advisor for graduate theses. Furthermore, Lahoud has been instrumental in the development of special academic programs aimed at including gifted students in the fields of theater and audiovisual arts. His commitment to academic excellence extends beyond teaching and encompasses various aspects of educational development and research.
Throughout his career, Sam Lahoud has conducted various masterclasses, panels, workshops, and seminars on topics such as production, directing techniques, directing actors, digital storytelling, responsible cinema, scriptwriting, sacred drama, and media literacy and peace building. He has also been involved in arts education since 1994, teaching music, photography, and other subjects. Currently, he teaches courses in scriptwriting, directing actors, directing techniques, film production, media laws and ethics, and supervises students' senior film productions.