Karen Abou Jaoudeh, Yasmina Rahhal, Roslan Bou Deib, Zeina Loulou
Lebanon
2023
In English and Arabic with English subtitles
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Credits & Director
Producer
Karen Abou Jaoudeh, Eiman Mirghani
Cinematography
Karen Abou Jaoudeh, Samer Sardouk, Aladdin Enzawi
Editor
Karen Abou Jaoudeh
Karen Abou Jaoudeh
Karen Abou Jaoudeh is a Lebanese filmmaker based in Qatar. Graduating with a BA in Audio Visual Arts & Cinematography at Notre Dane University, Karen has since worked on short films, TVCs, music videos and more around the MENA region for 7 years. After working on 19 short films as Producer and Production Manager, she has completed her first short film Gate 3 to 14 (2023).
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