The Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU) International Film Festival (NDUIFF), a short film festival founded in 2007 at NDU, Lebanon, is celebrated annually in November under its constant theme, “The Power of Youth.” As the theme reflects, the NDUIFF mission is to (a) promote young filmmakers by screening their films in front of a large audience, and (b) promote their talents and artistic excellence.
The NDUIFF accepts both Lebanese and international short films in three categories: Fiction, Documentary, and Animation; around 80 films compete in different categories and winners receive awards, certificates, and cash prizes. Applicants may be graduating students or independent filmmakers. In 2016, and in celebration of its 10th anniversary, the NDUIFF introduces the ‘Golden Olive Award,’ which not only reflects the physical environment at NDU but also reflects a great part of the Lebanese-Mediterranean culture with what the olive tree symbolizes: evergreen, generous, wise, and mature.
The well-equipped center where the Festival is held at NDU boasts state-of-the-art technology in audio and video. This center is formed of an opera house theater with a seating capacity of 650, an arena stage theater with a seating capacity of 400, and two small halls for workshops and seminars. Also, three theater/cinema halls are currently under development and will form part of the NDU Cultural Center. More than 5,000 visitors attend the Festival every year, including more than 50 international guests from more than 40 countries worldwide.
Winner of SAE Award for Youth Empowerment in 2015, NDUIFF is also member in the “One Belt One Road Film Festivals Alliance” at Shanghai International Film Festival, and founding member of “Film Festival Cinergy”
The NDUIFF mission takes inspiration from the NDU mission statement, which believes in providing equal opportunities for Lebanese and foreign participants “in a spirit of openness that embraces all cultures, regardless of race, gender, color, religion, or sect;” the NDUIFF “promotes diversity, respect for human dignity and rights, and concern for the common good.”
Our motto is “The Power of Youth”, because we strongly believe in it…