Introduction to Abbout Productions
Abbout Productions, a Beirut-based production company led by Georges Schoucair and Myriam Sasine, has been awarded the prestigious Raimondo Rezzonico Award at the upcoming 78th Locarno Film Festival. The festival will run from August 6th to August 16th, and Schoucair and Sasine will also present two of their films, Costa Brava, Lebanon by Mounia Akl and Memory Box by Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige.
About the Founders
Schoucair took over as CEO of Abbout Productions in 2004, with Sasine joining as a senior producer in 2010. Since then, they have produced a number of successful Arab and Lebanese feature films, introducing them to the international sales market. Their films have gained recognition globally, with Costa Brava, Lebanon premiering at the Venice Orozzonti in 2021 and Memory Box competing at the Berlinale in 2021.
Notable Productions
Some of their notable productions include works by local filmmakers such as Ahmad Ghossein, Mohamed Malas, Ghassan Salhab, Oualid Mouaness, Cyril Aris, Ely Dagher, Rana Eid, and Myriam El Hajj. Schoucair also played a crucial role in reopening Beirut’s Metropolis Cinema, an important industry and programming hub for the MENA region. Sasine co-founded the Maskoon Fantastic Film Festival, the only genre film festival in the Arab region, and is actively involved in film training initiatives and industry events.
Awards and Recognition
The Raimondo Rezzonico Award was established in 2002 in memory of the festival’s president from 1981 to 1999. Previous winners include French producer Marianne Slot and US producers Jason Blum and Stacey Sher. Schoucair and Sasine will receive the award on the night of August 7 and will also participate in a public conversation at the festival the following day.
Artistic Director’s Statement
Giona A. Nazzaro, artistic director of Locarno, praised Abbout Productions, stating that their films "are a sign of a society that lives vividly and still with persistent self-confidence. Through their films, Georges and Myriam are able to tell the history of a country, to exploit its potential and offer a complex portrait of the country that goes far beyond the trivializations of the violence of war."
