As Beirut’s beloved art house cinema, Metropolis, celebrates its 20th anniversary, the organization reflects on two decades of unwavering commitment to independent film, cultural dialogue, and community building. From humble beginnings amid war and crises, Metropolis has not only endured but thrived, steadfastly upholding its core values of artistic integrity, inclusivity, and connection.
Over the past twenty years, Metropolis has evolved into more than just a cinema; it’s become a vital gathering space for filmmakers, audiences, and cultural pioneers. Throughout periods of upheaval and change, it has remained a beacon of hope and continuity—a place where stories are shared, voices are amplified, and communities are united.
A Journey of Endurance and Growth
Since opening its doors, Metropolis has experienced moments of doubt and triumph, navigating Lebanon’s shifting landscape with resilience and adaptability. Its mission has always been clear: to foster a profound appreciation of independent and regional cinema by providing a platform for diverse voices and innovative storytelling.
Expanding Horizons: Introducing Salet Wassel
Building on its legacy, and in celebration of its 20th anniversary, Metropolis is taking a significant step forward. The cinema is expanding its programming beyond Beirut through the launch of Salet Wassel project, a network of independent cinema spaces across Lebanon. Initiated by Metropolis and supported by the French Embassy and the French Institute in Lebanon, Salet Wassel connects regions from the south to the north and the Bekaa, embodying the belief that cinema should be more accessible and open to all.
Global Networks and Collaborations
Metropolis’s journey has been enriched by active participation in international networks such as NAAS (Network of Arab Alternative Screens) and CICAE (International Confederation of Art House Cinemas). Its collaborations extend regionally and globally, partnering with cinemas like Cinema Akil (UAE), Cinema Zaywa (Egypt), and CinéMadart (Tunisia), fostering a vibrant platform for cultural exchange and shared practices.
A Celebration of Cinema’s Future
To honour this remarkable milestone, festivities will take place from July 8 to 11, 2026, featuring a curated program of screenings, panels, and encounters with acclaimed filmmakers and industry figures. Highlights include:
– The Lebanese premiere of La Sentinelle by Ali Cherri, selected at La Semaine de la Critique, Cannes 2026, in of the director Cherri, the producer Rémi Bonhomme (Artistic Director of the Marrakech International Film Festival and Metropolis Board Member), and internationally acclaimed actor Nahuel Pérez Biscayart (120 Battements par Minute, See You Up There, Persistent Lessons, Kill the Jockey).
– The special screening of Someday a Child by Marie-Rose Osta, winner of the Golden Bear for Best Short Film at Berlinale 2026, with the director attending for a post-screening conversation.
Alongside the screenings, key figures from the regional and international film industry will be joining such as: Egyptian producer Mohamed Hefzy, Founder and CEO of Film Clinic who will take part in a panel discussion on Arab Cinema following the screening of Camera Arabe by prominent Tunisian director Ferid Boughedir, recently restored by Cineteca di Bologna.
Christophe Leparc, Managing Director of the Quinzaine des Cinéastes at Cannes and director of Cinemed (Montpelier); Gianluca Chakra, founder and CEO of Front Row Filmed Entertainment; Butheina Kazim founder of Cinema Akil in Dubai , Youssef El-Shazli, founder of Zawya in Egypt; and Kais Zaied, co-founder of CinéMadart in Tunisia, and many more.
Their presence reflects the diversity of voices and practices that continue to sustain and challenge cinema today, from creation to curation, from production to exhibition. It is within this shared space of exchange that our anniversary takes on its full meaning: as a meeting point between films, filmmakers, and the communities that make cinema possible.
This anniversary is not a celebration of an institution, but of something shared and sustained and still growing. A collective choice, made again and again, to gather in the dark.
THE PROGRAM
July 8-11, 2026
July 8 | 8.30 PM | “Cinema Paradiso” by Giuseppe Tornatore (Restored copy)
Julu 9 | 8.00 PM | “Notre musique » by Jean-Luc Godard
followed by
Brève rencontre avec Jean Luc Godard (ou le cinéma comme métaphore) by Ghassan Salhab
July 10 | 7.30 PM | Caméra Arabe by Férid Boughedir (Restored copy)
followed by a Panel discussion: “The New Wave of Arab Cinema: A Story of Passion”
with: Mohamed Hefzy, Georges Schoucair and Eliane Raheb
moderated by Antoine Khalifé
July 11 |7.00 PM | La Sentinelle by Ali Cherri, in the presence of Ali Cherri, Rémi Bonhomme and Nahuel Pérez Biscayart, followed by a conversation
8.30 PM| Someday a Child by Marie-Rose Osta, in the presence of Marie-Rose Osta, accompanied by the actors Antoine Daher and Khaled Hassan.
9.30 PM | Party in the Metropolis Cinema Garden accompanied by DJ sets by Lana Daher, Charbel Haber and Lary Bou Safi