The short film “Warsha” written and directed by the Lebanese-Canadian filmmaker, Dania Bdeir, won the top prize at the 2022 Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia (SSFF & ASIA), which was held in Tokyo, Japan.
“Warsha” received the George Lucas Award (Grand Prix) award.
The short film follows a Syrian crane worker in Beirut, who volunteers one day to take on one of the most dangerous cranes in Lebanon. During his work “journey”, he discovers a sense of freedom away from people’s eyes.
In the online acceptance speech, Dania Bdeir expressed that she felt honored to receive such an award, adding that she dedicates it to her country, Lebanon, to migrant workers, and to each person who is struggling to express their true version of themselves.
The short film starred Mohamad Al Khansa, a Beirut-based artist and male belly dancer. It is produced by Coralie Dias of Inter Spinas Films (France) and co-produced by Né à Beyrouth Films (Lebanon).
“Warsha” was previously announced as the winner at the KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival (the Best International Narrative Short Award), and was the winner of the Sundance Film Festival’s Short Film Jury Award: International Fiction, among others.
