Palestinian-Lebanese filmmaker Mai MasriMai Masri is a Palestinian-Lebanese female filmmaker. She is the daughter of a Palestinian father from Nablus and an American mother from Texas who was raised in Beirut, where she has lived most of her life. Her films focus on Palestine and Lebanon, more specifically on Palestinians living in Lebanese refugee camps. Several of Masri's films concentrate on the arduous lives of Palestinian children-a largely unheard and ignored voice. Ironically, Palestinian children seem to radiate with optimism in the face of their intolerable situations.

In her film "Frontiers of Dreams and Fears" (2001) Masri explores the enduring friendship that is fostered between two young Palestinian girls who live very close yet very far away from each other. Mona was born and raised in the Shatila refugee camp in Beirut and Manar lives in the Dheishe refugee camp in the West Bank. Mona and Manar's friendship begins when their two schools collaborate and set up a pen pal system. Through regular correspondence the two girls get to know each other's similarities and differences. They finally meet one day at the Lebanese-Israeli border during Israel's withdrawal from south Lebanon.

"Beirut Diaries": Your DVD purchase benefits in part Levantine Cultural CenterHer film "Beirut Diaries" was winner of the First Prize, Institut Du Monde Arabe Film Festival, Paris, and won a Special Tribute at the Ismailia Festival, Egypt,2006. Through the story of a young woman from Beirut and the turbulent experiences, dreams and disillusions of her young friends, the film explores the critical transformationsand crucial questions facing Lebanon at this turning point in its history. "Beirut Diaries" won Best Documentary in 2007 at the Asian Pacific Film Festival (see video below). 

Masri's complete filmography includes "33 Days" (2007), "Beirut Diaries" (2006), "Frontiers of Dreams and Fears" (2001), "Children of Shatila" (1998), Children of Fire (1990), "Wild Flowers: Women of South Lebanon" (1986). Her films have won international acclaim as well as awards at several international film festivals.

Children of Shatila/Frontiers of Dreams and Fears: Your DVD purchase benefits in part Levantine Cultural Center