Nabil Assaf is a multidisciplinary artist born and based in Beirut, Lebanon. After studying in France and obtaining his degree in Hotel Management in 2006, Nabil finds himself back in Lebanon, but with a new ambition: the Arts. In 2008 he delves into the world of cameras and quickly becomes a core member in many projects, especially the ones with challenging set-ups and rigs. He also builds his container studio in the mountains where he practices his passion for graffiti, small scale artisanal carpentry, and many other media. This artistic Time Capsule quickly becomes an immediate reflection of his diverse and immersive bodies of work.

Music Composer, Sound Designer, and Instructor at Saint Joseph University/ IESAV.  His musical style is a mix of oriental and occidental musical backgrounds he grew up with. His work as a music composer and sound designer covers documentaries, fiction films, Series,  programs, and commercials.

Known as Noir, he is a poetic visual artist known for his passion to keep memories alive. As a director and photographer, he believes in the power of observation and express his pursue for beauty through imperfection: To capture every day’s life, as it exists and to let it unfold.

Ghina is an Arabic name that means singing, to sing; and I am a filmmaker. Two years ago, I decided to put aside my camera and be involved in manual labor as part of my discernment with the Little Sisters of Jesus. Two years that changed me, that taught me to be human, minimal and true to myself. Now as I come back to filmmaking, I can’t but feel the urge to be as authentic in filming, as I was when I let go of the camera. I wish through my work that I can deliver the blessing that I felt during these two years.

Rana Daou is a professional translator and interpreter. She juggles four languages, her native Arabic along with French, English, and Spanish. Her journey started in 2003 after she graduated with a master’s degree from the renowned Ecole de Traducteurs et d’Interpretes de Beyrouth (ETIB). She worked in a wide array of fields ranging from political, to military, to legal; nevertheless, her favorite – although most challenging – jobs are those of arts and humanities. This is when words are more than just letters, but rather vectors of emotions and connections. Being the bridge between a psychologist and their client, a poet and their readers, a play character and their audience can only succeed using a generous mix of all five senses. Rana is also a professional voice coach for singing and spoken speech, she was trained at the Ecole Richard Cross Paris. Ila al liqaa, a bientot, see you soon, hasta luego!

Working in the field of heritage for over 20 years in France and Lebanon, Marie joined our team because she deeply believes in the values promoted by our work. A healthy and rich society is built on accepting and welcoming others in all their differences and originality.

After completing her film studies at the Lebanese American University, Dima joined The Gate Film Laboratory where she trained on the telecine process as an assistant colorist. She later moved to VTR Beirut where she gained extensive experience working as senior telecine operator and colorist with local and international directors and cinematographers on commercials, music videos, corporate documentaries, and feature films. In 2013, along with other industry professionals, she founded pixelmob, a post-production facility based in Beirut, where she heads the color grading department.

Elsy is a director of photography in the narrative and commercial space. She was born and raised in Lebanon. She is passionate about Beirut where she chooses to stay.  Elsy’s work speaks for her subtle sensitivity and branches from the small city of love to the MENA region and Europe.

Rachelle Noja was born in Beirut on April 18, 1985. She holds a degree in cinema from USJ Beirut. After she graduated in 2008, she started working as a camera assistant and then became a focus puller; after that, she kicked off her career as a Director of Photography for several advertising spots, documentaries, feature films, and short movies, rewarded in different local and international festivals.

Khalil Abourrousse is a colorist from Beirut, Lebanon. He has been working since early age in photo printing and photo editing, until he found his passion in color grading “stories and emotions” on film. He is the owner of Lilapost the post-production boutique. Khalil has been a solid and loyal partner to Home of Cine-Jam since the beginning, his unconditional commitment and generosity kept us going since day one.

Bachar is an avid outdoorsman, his love for the Lebanese countryside led him to  produce direct and film a 30min. documentary titled “confessions of a runner”. He won several awards around the world especially in Canada “Best mountain sport film” in Alberta Banff 2020 and in Vancouver VIMFF 2021.

Mounir Al Serawan has been a Filmmaker since 2015. He worked on short films, media campaigns, documentaries, theatrical productions, and concerts digital scenography. He also performed in international short films and events as a classical ballet and contemporary dancer, actor, and singer. Mounir holds 21 technical diplomas in the art industries alongside his BA in Communication Arts. Recently, he received an International award as “BEST FIRST TIME DIRECTOR” from Halicarnassus Film Festival, “BEST SHORT FILM” award from Paris International Film Awards, and 10 Official Selections on his recent film “The Leap”.

Jean-Claude Boulos (JC) is a Beirut-based filmmaker born in 1992. He has been working in several sectors in the film industry since 2010; most notably in editing and videomaking. In addition to film, Jean-Claude has experimented in theater, installation art and design. In November 2019, Jean-Claude co-founded an independent media outlet named Fawra Media.

Farah Moukaddam is a psychotherapist who practices at her own clinic. She specializes in individual psychotherapy as well as family and couple’s therapy. She is a consultant in mental health and psychosocial support for the employees working in the United Nations agencies and international non governmental organizations(INGO’s) who work in humanitarian section in Lebanon and worldwide.

Rosanna Lahoud was born in July 1978, and got her BA in Cinema Radio-TV from USEK. She has worked in TV production, theatre and events in Lebanon and in the GCC since 2000. She has been a modern dancer since June 2003, and the PR Manager of Home Of Cine-Jam since 2016.

I’m a scriptwriter, filmmaker and editor. In my work, I am most inspired by the rawness of human emotions that I aim to translate cinematically on screen. I’ve taken on projects from a wide range of industries: design, fashion, books, NGOs and music… anything that makes my heart dance.

Lea Lahoud is a videographer and interdisciplinary artist based in Lebanon. Her work often centers around the study of dualities and a poeticized/romanticized interplay of contradictions. She has shot and edited all our schools videos and created Zyara behind the scenes season 5.

Rana Maalouf is a Lebanese film director and editor born in Beirut in 1994. She is member of Yazan, a Beirut-based cultural association. Since 2018, she started her career in directing working on  various formats, from corporate films, music video, short documentaries & TV commercials.

Telling empowering stories through film and photography is my craft and passion.  It is my way of expressing my appreciation to the mystery of life, brilliance of our being and all the good things that I have encountered. Through my profession, I aim to shed the light on art, education, cultural and humane incentives as the core foundations for societal growth and development.

Henry Loussian is an artist designing ornaments and faux bijoux in Hamra since a young age. He is in love with Beirut and has taken on the mission to save his heritage by gathering pieces of the broken old houses and building them again in Batroun. Henry was the second Zyara hero in 2014 and he has gracefully created the Zyara accessories line designed by Denise Jabbour.

Watch Henry’s crafting of Zyara accessories

I find life in arts of all forms. Writing songs and singing is how I breathe; puppetry and storytelling being some of the other ways I come to life. Arts that involve the play of light, shadow and color are also very meaningful to me; through them I feel I can express and share what the eyes of my heart have captured.

Born in Lebanon, Jocelyne Abi Gebrayel studied Audio-Visual at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik-Lebanon and received her Master degree in 2000. Since then she has worked as Director of Photography on several award winning short/long movies and documentary films revolving around humanitarian and socio-political issues in the Middle East and in the North Africa region. Jocelyne have volunteered in many occasions to cover photographically events related to Zyara.

Racha Chalhoub is a freelance self taught photographer and our friend, She has never missed an opportunity to help archive events and screenings for us since 2012.  We are grateful for her constant support and invaluable presence in our lives.

Filmmaker, Videographer, Healer, Trauma Therapist.

My journey of self healing started by contributing in Cine-Jam workshop in 2013, then in 2019 after a deep search of who I am.

Ralph Moussa,  26 years old.  Filmmaker and cinematographer.  A cinema lover. I love the confrontation of image existence by capturing real and pure emotional moments since the truthfulness of fiction comes from reality.

Freelance photogrpaher and videographer. Ghinwa volunteered as a behind the scene videographer during Zyara season 3.

Translation department USEK facilitated Zyara translation to French. She holds a strong belief in the Zyara mission and hosts us every year at USEK for the celebration of international translation day through Zyara.

Helen Waked is a marketing strategist. We are grateful for her, she was our guardian angel during 2018 guiding us and supporting Zyara in its marketing and strategy approach.

Mouhab Shaneh Saz is a sound engeneer. He has been in the business for 30 years, working on films, TV and web series, TV commercials and documentaries. He established Aura Sound Pro in 2010 as a rental company for sound equipment and crew hire, representing young talented sound engineers that he trains and supervises. Mouhab was our sound recordist on Zyara for season 1 & 2 and he was the first to believe in and support Zyara since the start.  

Samar is a very talented graphic designer and a visual artist with an eye for innovation and pixel perfection. Although her skill set is vast, her greatest expertise revolves in brand identity design, content creation and print collateral. She also loves coffee. 
Since 2012 until 2016, Samar is the designer behind our Logo and visual identity… working with her was an exceptional journey.

We are grateful for Daronboz Daronboz, for their generosity and talent. Sevine Aris and Nadine Touma helped us create an Arabic and English promotional video for Zyara in the summer of 2018.

English Promotional Video | Arabic Promotional Video

Zeina worked a social media expert at Starcom Beirut and despite her very tight schedule she has made it possible to volunteer and commit to Zyara season 3 by handling its promotional boost and online targeting. We are so blessed to have met her.