REEF Association

REEF, which means “rurality” in Arabic, is an initiative born in 2018 in the village of Kobayat, in the far north of Lebanon, around cinema and nature. It emerged from a collaboration between AFLAMUNA, a leading platform for independent Arab cinema engaged in social issues, and the Environmental Council, a pioneer in environmental action in the Akkar region. Today, REEF is a non-profit association expanding its work across Lebanon. It develops three major programs focused on local community engagement, knowledge and skill development, and the emergence of eco-rural narratives through various artistic mediums. Its annual Encounters feature socially-engaged film screenings and performances, film competitions to support environmental cinema, sustainability initiatives, and discussions on local environmental challenges. REEF is also behind innovative projects such as "REEF Ambassadors", a mentorship platform for teenagers, and Biodiversity & Cinema, a program bringing together artists and environmentalists. Guided by a vision of a conscious and engaged society, REEF works to preserve Lebanon’s natural and cultural diversity while promoting its responsible use for the common good.