Entertainment

Beirut Blast Documentary Wins International Awards: Fadia Ahmad’s “Beirut, the Aftermath” Continues International Festival Run

Published

4 years ago

October 30, 2021

Lebanese Spanish photographer and director Fadia Ahmad continues an ongoing search for home in her latest film, “Beirut, the Aftermath”. A long standing member of the Lebanese art scene, recently through World Art Collector, where she participated as a judge for the organization’s Incubator initiative, Ahmad’s latest project draws inspiration from her city and its many recent struggles. Raised across the sea from her native Lebanon, Ahmad longed as a child to return to the country that had pushed her and her family away. In 2003, she did exactly that, returning to begin her most widely recognized series “Beyrouth | Beirut” as a means to answer a critical question that followed her: Where do I belong?

Shot along her daily walk through the historic Mar Mikhael and Gemmayze neighborhoods towards the Downtown and Ain Mreisse districts of Beirut, “Beyrouth | Beirut” chronicles what it really means to rediscover one’s own home. While inadvertently reconciling with a missing piece of her own identity, one lost to exile and war, Ahmad captures a dynamic portrait of a city beset with both tremendous beauty and unfading scars.

This very same corner of the city became the epicenter of unspeakable tragedy last year in August, when a warehouse explosion in the Port of Beirut sent shockwaves into the city, killing hundreds, wounding thousands, and leveling many of the historic facades Ahmad had come to know on her daily path. The questions that brought her to produce her first breakaway series “Beyrouth | Beirut” led her to pick up her camera once again, this time to create her first ever film “Beirut, the Aftermath”. A testimony to both the strength of the survivors as well as the continued injustice suffered at the hands of the corrupt regime responsible, the short documentary film stands out for taking an unwavering stand to resist erasure. First time director Ahmad masterfully captures the ethos of a city routinely threatened with destruction, yet somehow never ceasing to find new ways to rebuild and heal.

“Beirut, the Aftermath” has already received recognition at a number of International Film Festivals this season, including the recent Lebanese Film Festival in Canada- Montreal, where the film won 2nd place in the short films category. Earlier this year, Ahmad received recognition from the Argenteuil Film Festival in France, winning best feature documentary during the July edition. The Argenteuil Film Festival announces official selections and awards every month, with the prizewinners convening each year for the festival’s annual ceremony to compete once more for higher honors. This season’s annual ceremony will take place on May 22nd, 2022.

In August “Beirut, the Aftermath” was awarded Best Half-Length Film at the Five Continents International Film Festival. Ahmad herself won Best Female Director for a feature film. In addition to these awards, the film won Best Poster for Wafic Dabbous’s design and received special mention for Feature Film Production.

Still ahead lies a number of other high profile festivals, including the Rabat International Author Film Festival in Morocco, with its 26th edition currently scheduled for December 15th-23rd. Organizers for the event believe the festival allows cinema to function as “another country on the map”, presenting cinema as an effective ‘nonplace’ wherein all people can be imagined as citizens, while simultaneously inviting audiences to expand both their awareness and imagination. This expressed purpose makes Ahmad’s film the perfect addition to the festival’s ethos. “Beirut, the Aftermath” will compete in the Short Film category this December.

Additionally, the film will be presented from November 30th to January 9th at the Peoria Riverfront Museum and Scottish Rite theater as part of a benefit supporting recovery efforts through the Lebanese American University Medical Centers. There will also be a concert at the event by accomplished pianist Dr. Tony Karam. In tandem with the showing, the Peoria Museum will feature a solo exhibit showcasing a photography series by Ahmad released as a companion to “Beirut, the Aftermath”, highlighting through pictures the major themes of her documentary.

In an era of profound change, Ahmad’s life spent in exile, her pursuit of meaningful return, and her reconciliation with complicated roots prove relevant to a global audience. A must see feature for anyone interested in universal themes of heritage, loss, and remembrance, Fadia Ahmad’s “Beirut, the Aftermath” continues to win well earned recognition as the festival season carries on.

Entertainment

Take the Gig, Meet the People, Build the Life: Sarah Angel’s Real Talk for Musicians

Published

15 hours ago

January 16, 2026

Jonathan Grilli

Too many talented musicians spend the early years of their careers standing still, waiting. Waiting for the “right” gig. Waiting to be discovered. Waiting until they feel completely ready. But while they hesitate, others with less experience but more urgency are out there taking the jobs, building connections, and gaining ground.

Sarah Angel has seen this happen again and again. A successful live entertainer and founder of Posh Piano, she didn’t wait for a perfect opportunity to appear; she built her career by saying yes to what was already in front of her.

Sarah’s journey didn’t begin with a business plan. It began on stage, performing at corporate gigs and high-end events. For a while, she did what many musicians do: she showed up, played the set, and collected the paycheck. But the turning point came when she realized how much more others were earning off her talent. While she was being paid a small cut, the booker was making thousands. That gap shifted everything. She didn’t get angry, she got to work.

Sarah learned to run sound, bought her own equipment, built piano shells to give her setup a polished look, and began booking directly. Before each event, she would spend hours hauling gear and setting up the space herself. She didn’t wait for anyone to hand her a better gig; she created it. That same mindset carries into how she mentors and advises young musicians today.

For Sarah, one of the biggest traps new performers fall into is comparison. Instead of focusing on their own style and voice, they mimic what’s already out there. But copying someone else won’t lead to a sustainable career. What matters most is figuring out what makes you different and building on that. Your individuality is not a risk; it’s the foundation of your career.

Equally important, she says, is learning to say yes more often. Not every opportunity will be glamorous or well-paid. But every job is a chance to meet someone new, gain experience, or get your name in front of people who can open doors down the road.

This is where so many early careers stall, not because of a lack of talent, but because of hesitation. When performers constantly hold out for something better, they miss what’s right in front of them. Taking one job often leads to five more. And even if a gig doesn’t seem ideal at first, it often brings value in ways that are not obvious right away.

Sarah compares it to building momentum. Each job adds to your experience, your network, and your visibility. It’s not just about stacking performances, it’s about putting yourself in motion. The more active you are, the more people think of you when opportunities come up. That kind of consistency can’t be faked, and it can’t be replaced with a few viral moments online.

Another common challenge she sees is indecision. Musicians who spend too much time analyzing every offer often lose out on real growth. Taking action, even imperfectly, leads to more progress than standing still. Not every gig will be a perfect fit, but most will teach you something valuable.

Over the years, Sarah has also learned to be intentional about who she surrounds herself with. She chooses to work with musicians who are not just talented, but reliable, respectful, and open to learning. Attitude often matters more than technical skill. It’s easier to grow as a musician than to fix a lack of work ethic.

Sarah Angel’s career didn’t come from waiting or wishing. It came from working. She showed up, learning as she went, and made smart choices when it counted. The music industry doesn’t reward perfection, it rewards presence, action, and growth over time.

If you are serious about building a career in music, start with what’s in front of you. Take the gig. Meet the people. Build a life. One step at a time.