Karim Kassem(II)

Born and raised in Beirut, Karim is an award winning director and cinematographer. Karim lived and worked in New York for a decade. He completed his first feature "Only the Winds" (2020) which was selected for the 50th IFFR, Visions Du Reel & Carthage. Most recently, he landed in Beirut only a day before and survived the massive explosion that destroyed much of the city. This last experience inspired his second feature film "Octopus" (2021), which won best film at IDFA 2021 and a jury special mention award at ZagrebDox 2022. Octopus was also nominated for best cinematography at the IDA Awards and for best film at Torino Film Festival. It was supported by the Doha Film Institute and the Red Sea Fund. His third feature film titled "Thiiird" (2023) closes a trilogy and was supported by AFAC, Doha Film Institute, Red Sea Fund and was selected for the WIP market at New Nordic Films. "Thiiird" world premiered at IFFR 2023 in the Tiger Competition and won best film at Beldocs 2023 - it was also selected to show at the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale. His fourth feature "Moondove" (2024) world premiered at Mostra De Valencia 2024, winning the jury prize and best cinematography, then screened in the International Competition at the 45th Cairo IFF followed by QUMRA - it participated in VdR Rough Cut Lab, Aflamuna Connection, and was supported by the IDFA Bertha Fund, Red Sea Fund, AFAC & Doha Film Institute. His fifth feature "Pipes" (2025) is selected to compete for the Crystal Globe at 60th Karlovy Vary. His sixth film is in development, which was selected for Cinemed Aflamuna Encounters & Cairo Film Connection & Beldocs Pitching Forum.