Beirut: Minister of Culture Ghassan Salameh and Maya de Freige, President of Fondation Liban Cin©ma (FLC), signed a cooperation agreement aimed at supporting Lebanon's film sector, developing national production, and strengthening Lebanon's position as a regional hub for film production and co-productions. Minister Salameh noted that "this cooperation agreement lies at the heart of our vision for the film sector and reflects our commitment to providing an environment that enables Lebanese creativity to grow and reach the world." He pointed out that "cinema is not only a space for expressing our stories and identity; it is also an economic sector that creates opportunities for thousands of people working in it."
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, Minister Salameh continued: "This cooperation therefore falls within the framework of Lebanon's Creative and Cultural Industries Strategy, which we launched at the beginning of this year. Through it, we have developed an integrated vision for advancing this sector by strengthening its presence in local and international markets, developing the skills of those working in it, and expanding partnerships. This opens the way for Lebanese talent to develop and build its future in Lebanon, while contributing to the growth and sustainability of the sector."
For her part, Maya de Freige, President of Fondation Liban Cin©ma, thanked the Minister of Culture for his trust and said: "We welcome the official renewal of cooperation between the Ministry of Culture and Fondation Liban Cin©ma (FLC). This agreement once again confirms the importance of cooperation between the public and private sectors in supporting the country's recovery."
She further emphasized that it reflects a shared vision of the role that cultural and creative industries-particularly those related to the film and audiovisual sectors-can play in economic and social recovery. They also provide young people with meaningful opportunities for creative work, professional development, and employment.
The agreement aims to foster cooperation in several key areas, including promoting Lebanese cinema locally and internationally, professional training and capacity building, supporting professionals and producers in the sector, developing international partnerships and co-productions, and working to attract investment and film productions to Lebanon.
Within the framework of this cooperation, Fondation Liban Cin©ma will continue to organize professional meetings and training programs, promote Lebanese productions abroad, strengthen networks among professionals in the sector in Lebanon and across the Lebanese diaspora, and contribute its expertise to the development of future initiatives for the sector.
The agreement also places particular importance on film co-productions. The Foundation will assist producers and coordinate with the Ministry and relevant stakeholders in preparing and reviewing co-production projects. However, the authority to grant final approval and official co-production status will remain exclusively with the Ministry of Culture or the competent official authority.
Through this partnership, the Ministry and the Foundation seek to provide better conditions for those working in Lebanese cinema, develop the sector's professional and legal environment, and strengthen Lebanon's ability to attract film productions and cinematic partnerships from the region and around the world.