The Art of Adaptation: Discussing the process of adapting a book, play, or other source material into a film.

This panel delves into the intricate process of adapting various forms of source material into a cinematic masterpiece. Through exploring the creative challenges and decision-making process involved in adapting books, plays, or real-life events, the panelists will discuss the crucial role of staying true to the original material while also navigating the changes in format and medium. The panel moderated by director Lara Saba, featuring Nada Abou Farhat, Baraa Alem, and Ramy Abdelrazek, will also examine the impact of adaptation on the original work and its audience, as well as the artistic and practical considerations involved in adapting different types of the source material. The audience will gain insights into the dynamic role of the director, writer, actor, and other team members in the adaptation process.

Nada Abou Farhat 

Actress

Lebanese actress, graduated from the Institute of Fine Arts. She started her career in Rahbani Theater while still in her first year of studying theater arts. Then she played roles in television, theater, and cinema. She has many successful works to her credit, as well as awards for her roles. Among these is the Best Actress award for her role in the film “Under the Bombs” which she received at the Dubai International Film Festival, as well as the Oran Film Festival. 

Baraa Alem

Actor, Filmmaker, Content Creator

Actor, Writer and content creator, Known for his lead role in the The Qodus Brothers’s film “The Book Of Sun” (2020) and Omar Naim’s “Route 10” (2022) and Yasir Alyasri’s “HWJN” (2023). one of the founders of “Cinema Mirkaz” an independent cine-club in Jeddah. he is the creator/presenter of “Filmmer“ a film-content youtube channel with more than 500k subscribers, in which he writes and presents film reviews and discussions. He is now working on developing his youtube channel to the next stage, work on writing projects while taking new acting roles.

Ramy Abdelrazek 

Film Critic

Ramy Abdelrazek is an Egyptian writer and film critic who has directed the Arab Cinema Horizons competition and served as a drama advisor at MBC TV Network. He was a member of the International Critics Jury at the 68th Cannes Film Festival and is part of the Egyptian Film Critics Association and the International Federation of Film Critics. Abdelrazek has also directed the International Critics’ Week at the Cairo International Film Festival and is a film workshops lecturer for the Royal Film Commission. He has been a member of the Film Fund Committee at the Egyptian Ministry of Culture since 2011.

Lara Saba

Director

In college years, Lara Saba grabbed every opportunity to acquire a solid experience in filmmaking, working as a director or assistant director on series, commercials and movies. Besides different jobs in filmmaking, her passion for storytelling got her to explore another facet of cinematography; documentaries. She directed “Suspended Return” (UNDP Documentary Prize), “Death Fields”, “Cinecaravane”, “Shattered Memories” … “Beirut, Truth & Versions” (awarded Best editing at the
Brussels International Film Festival) 2013. Her first feature “Blind Intersections”, nominated in more than 20 international festivals, was awarded best movie at the Mabrouk and Malmo Film Festival, awarded Best Actor at the Brussels International Independent Film festival and was the Lebanese entry to the Academy Awards Best Foreign Film section.