IDAFA Festival Honors Resilience in Art, Spotlights Emerging and Established Talent
BEIRUT – The second session of the IDAFA Festival concluded with honors for a diverse group of artists and advocates, celebrating both established figures and those overcoming significant challenges through creative expression.Among those recognized was Marie Khoury, a plastic artist whose work is anticipated to gain ample Arab and global recognition in 2025, despite enduring severe injuries during wartime. Khoury’s story exemplifies the festival’s dedication to highlighting art born from adversity and resilience.
The IDAFA Festival, dedicated to promoting human values through artistic endeavors, also honored Maryam Nour El-Din, Abdul rahman Makhlouf, Divin Abi Khalil, Charbel Aad, Kevin Abajian, and Jordanian artist Muhammad Al-Kharaly. Additional accolades were presented to artists Ali Al-Mawla and Bamila Al-Kik, alongside a special tribute to Amal Makhdi, head of the “Who Are Able to Differentiate” initiative. The ceremony was hosted by artists Michel Fadel and Iwan.
Actress Pamela Cake, featured in the film ”Coincidentally” (written by Claudia Marchelian and directed by Christo), shared her experience at the festival, describing her role, named “Taghreed” after her mother, as “the role of a lifetime.” Cake emphasized the film’s exploration of unification as a basic human condition, stating, “art was found to give these real heroes a voice and resonate in this life.” She expressed pride in participating in a festival prioritizing human values.
The festival also featured news of Ghassan Masoud and Dalia Al-Buhairi joining the jury of the Baghdad Film Festival.
