

NOMINEE, OUTSTANDING SHORT DOCUMENTARY - News & Documentaries Emmy Award | WORLD PREMIERE - Tribeca Film Festival | BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT - Kashish International Film Festival
LGBTQ+ Rights • Music and Social Movements • Middle East Politics • Freedom of Expression • Mental Health
Date of Completion: 2022 | Run Time: 28 minutes | Language: English & Arabic with English subtitles | Captions: Yes | Includes: Discussion Guide | Director, Producer, & Editor: Michael Collins | Producers: Marty Syjuco, James Costa, & Sarah Kasakas | Executive Producer: Patty Kim | Composer: Andrew Dost
At a concert in Cairo, one of the biggest bands in the Middle East, Mashrou’ Leila, energizes a crowd of 35,000 people. On stage, the charismatic lead singer, Hamed, the first openly gay rock star in the Arab world, faces a sea of swaying flickering lights. Among the incandescence, a fan raises a giant rainbow flag, capping off a magical night. Yet, that one simple act of pride and joy would ultimately catapult the band, the fan and others headlong into a tragic series of events.
Award-winning filmmakers Michael Collins and Marty Syjuco (“Give Up Tomorrow”, “Almost Sunrise”, “Delikado”), James Costa (“Call Her Ganda”) and Sarah Kasakas (“Underdown”) brings us the timely story of a trailblazing rock band, a courageous fan, and a queer activist’s daunting battle against religious extremists for equality in some of the most hardline places in the world. BEIRUT DREAMS IN COLOR is, simultaneously, a rare and nuanced look into the LGBTQ politics of the Middle East, and a moving testament to the power of music, and the universal desire for freedom.
AWARDS
Nominee, Outstanding Short Documentary | News & Documentaries Emmy Award
Best Documentary Short | Kashish Mumbai Queer Festival
Best Short Documentary | Middle East Now
Best Film - Middle East Category | International Peace Festival
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