Driven by vision, creativity, and a commitment to honoring their roots, students from LAU’s TV and Film program brought their talents to the forefront with the inaugural LAU TV and Film Awards—a landmark event they conceived, produced, and executed.

Held on May 29 at the Gulbenkian Amphitheater on the Beirut campus, the red-carpet evening celebrated 12 outstanding alumni who have made a lasting impact on the media and entertainment industry, marking a proud moment of celebration, connection, and student-led excellence.

At the heart of the initiative was a dedicated student executive team composed of TV and Film majors Fatima El Hajj (producer), Jana Yazbeck (director), and Celine Khattar (assistant director), whose leadership and passion propelled the project to completion, guided by Senior Instructor Tony Farjallah and supported by LAU President Chaouki T. Abdallah and the Alumni Relations Office.

El Hajj explained that their goal was to spotlight the remarkable success stories that have emerged from the program.

“We wanted to show that our graduates are talented, resilient, and capable of making a real mark both locally and internationally,” she said. For her, the honorees represented more than individual achievement—they were a glimpse into the extraordinary potential that Lebanese talent continues to offer the world.

“This tribute also serves as a reminder to current students that they are part of a rich legacy, and that they too have the potential to make meaningful contributions to Lebanese society,” she added.

Simulating a live broadcast, students from the program rotated through key production roles—including camera operation, audio engineering, vision mixing, and directing—gaining real-world, hands-on experience in what it truly takes to work in live television.

They also conducted live interviews with honorees, presenters, and guests, sharpening both the technical and interpersonal skills essential to the world of broadcast media. The entire event was transmitted through an Outside Broadcasting (OB) van, allowing students to replicate the pace and pressure of a professional field production environment.

Among the honorees was talk show host, producer and television personality Zaven Kouyoumdjian (BA ’92), one of the first graduates to enter the field with a truly multidisciplinary skillset. Accepting the award, he reflected on his early days, saying, “I was ready to use the camera, edit my video, write a piece, and deliver the news—and that made me stand out when I graduated.”

Actress, writer, and filmmaker Wafa’a Celine Halawi (BA ’04) expressed her joy at returning to LAU, deeply moved by the recognition. She noted, “This recognition is external validation of our feelings. It reassures us that we are doing the right thing.” For Halawi, LAU is not just an institution but a family affair, as all of her parents and siblings are graduates. “LAU has always been a part of our family,” she shared.

Renowned actor Talal Al Jurdi (BA ’94) found his return to the LAU campus, especially to the Gulbenkian Theater—where he performed in his very first play under the guidance of the late Ziad Abou Absi (BS ’79), a former assistant professor—to be a deeply emotional experience. Reflecting on his journey, he said, “Our profession certainly requires talent, but it also demands a strong academic foundation, like the one provided by LAU.”

Director Elie F. Habib (BA ’98), director, writer, and academic Mahmoud Hojeij (BA ’97), senior colorist and post-production expert Dima Geagea (BA ’02), film director, screenwriter, and producer Khalil Dreyfus Zaarour (BA ’01), actress Carmen Bsaibes (BA ’11), actor Tarek Tamim (BA ’97), media personality Rima Karaki (BA ’90), TV presenter and media consultant Ghida Majzoub (BA ’94), and media personality Karen Boustany (BA ’94) were also among the distinguished honorees of the evening.

As they reflected on their journeys, they collectively thanked their alma mater and mentors for their guidance, which, they noted, had been instrumental in shaping their careers and igniting their passions, starting right here, within the very walls of the Gulbenkian Theater that launched their paths to success.