LAU TV and Film Awards 2025 (Credit: Joanne Naoum.)
Bright entrance, red carpet, and radiant smiles: Lebanese American University (LAU) campus in Beirut comes alive.
The atmosphere is festive: music, cameras, welcome cocktails, and elegant attire blend, while about forty enthusiastic students move through the crowd, making every moment of the celebration vibrant.
The LAU TV and Film Awards 2025, a student initiative from the television and film program, were held on April 29. Twelve iconic figures in the field – presenters, directors, and artists – were honored in an inspiring evening.
A story that leaves a mark
There is no story without struggle, and this one is no exception. Like many students in Lebanon, it is rooted in challenge. This project came to life when Fatima al-Hajj, 21, a TV and film student at LAU, wanted to leave a mark as her graduation approached.
"I wanted to leave a mark behind me, something meaningful that could inspire others. That's how the idea of this initiative was born: to pay tribute to some of our brightest alumni," she says.
Reflecting the country's own unyielding resilience, the young student known as Tima stated in her opening speech: "The war did not manage to break us, even though I lost my parents' homes," affirming her choice to make "a positive impact rather than giving up."
Tima collaborated with director Jana Yazbeck, 20, a third-year student, and assistant director Céline Khattar, 21, a final-year student. All three, TV and film students, formed the executive team behind this initiative.
Despite countless challenges, they remained determined, even though at one point, they considered canceling the event entirely. Ultimately, a greater force took over.
"This initiative was not without difficulties. We faced many obstacles, from the impact of the ongoing war to financial difficulties, and the extremely short deadlines in which we had to plan everything. At one point, we almost canceled everything. But we realized then that we had a responsibility: to show the world that the Lebanese spirit does not give up, no matter what. This determination is at the heart of this tribute," declared the executive team.
The three students collaborated with about 40 TV and film students from LAU, who participated in all aspects of the project, from filming to reporting, hospitality, and logistics. Ahead of the ceremony, a team of five students led the event organization, each with a specific role: media and public relations management, hospitality coordination, visual creation, and general coordination. Among them were Rasha al-Bazzal, hospitality and alumni relations coordinator; Tracy Daou, media and communication coordinator; Laine Hout, floor manager and operations coordinator; Khaled Daou, visual content coordinator and Geanie Hanache, script and program coordinator. Together, they brought the LAU TV and Film Awards 2025 to life with professionalism and success.
Their supervisor, Professor Tony Farjallah, accompanied them from the initial idea to the smallest logistical details. The president of LAU, Dr. Chaouki Abdallah, immediately embraced the project and funded it, providing them with the motivation needed to overcome all challenges.
Red carpet and honorary awards
"When achievements are honored, a richer future is assured." These words, printed on the invitation card, encapsulated the evening's spirit. The ceremony itself was a living testimony of this promise, honoring some of the brightest celebrities in the media industry, each having had a significant and lasting impact in their field.
Among the honored TV presenters were Rima Karaki, Zaven Kouyoumdjian, Karen Boustany, and Ghida Majzoub. Among the actors and actresses, Talal Jurdi, Tarek Tamim, Wafa’a Celine Halawi, and Carmen Bsaibes were celebrated, while directors Mahmoud Hojeij, Elie F. Habib, and Khalil Dreyfus Zaarour also received tribute. Dima Geagea, a talented colorist, was also among the awardees.
After a short video presentation of each laureate's best works, they were invited to the stage to receive their awards. To add a memorable and distinguished touch to the event, the national choir Fayha accompanied the ceremony with an enchanting performance throughout the evening.
The selection process for this tribute was carefully thought out by the students, who considered several criteria: accomplishments in the media sector, the impact of the graduates, as well as their graduation date, spanning from previous generations to the early 2000s. The aim was to highlight a diverse range of achievements over time.
What particularly inspired the students about these alumni was their resilience, creativity, and unwavering commitment to excellence. "Many started modestly and built a solid reputation, both locally and internationally," they emphasized. "They broke barriers, adapted to the evolving media landscape, while remaining faithful to their passion for storytelling," they added.
A dual message
Through this tribute, the students wanted to convey a clear message: "Success in the media world is possible with passion, work, and dedication." They also wished to remind current students that they are part of a solid legacy and that they too can aspire to make a significant contribution to Lebanese society.
Seeing that many students are passionate about this field but hesitate to engage fully – some discouraged by an uncertain future, others subjected to parental pressure questioning the viability of a media career – the executive students expressed hope that "through this tribute, they highlight the successes coming from this program and show that LAU graduates are talented, resilient, and capable of leaving a real mark, both in Lebanon and internationally."
"These honorees are just a glimpse of the extraordinary potential that Lebanese talent has to offer," they added.
"This tribute is just the beginning," they shared. "We hope to make it an annual tradition, a celebration of our alumni's remarkable achievements, to inspire future generations of storytellers."
This article was originally published in French in L'Orient-Le Jour
