Warsha is a 2022 French-Lebanese short film directed by Dania Bdeir. The fifteen-minute short stars multidisciplinary performer Khansa, who plays a migrant worker and crane operator in Beirut. After its premiere at Sundance Film Festival, where it won the award for Best Short Film, the film has been presented in numerous international film festivals, including the Clermont-Ferrand Film Festival and the Seminci Valladolid Film Festival, where it won the Rainbow for Best Film. The short advanced to the shortlist for the 95th Academy Awards under the category of Best Live Action Short Film, but did not qualify to the final five. The short also competed in the 48th César Awards.
Plot In Beirut, a migrant worker volunteers to operate a very dangerous construction crane. Finally alone, he feels free to express his fantasies.
Reception Since its launch, the film has been selected in various festivals and academies around the world: YearFestivalsAward/CategoryStatus2022Sundance Film FestivalShort Film Jury Award international fictionIFFR RotterdamBest ShortClermont-Ferrand International Short Film FestivalGrand Prix NationalBest Queer ShortTampere Film FestivalBest International FictionSaguenay International Short Film FestivalJury PrizeAspen ShortsfestSpecial RecognitionOutfest Grand Jury Prize for Outstanding International Narrative ShortSXSW Film FestivalGrand Jury Award for Best Narrative ShortZubroffka FestivalGrand PrixShort Shorts Film Festival & AsiaGrand PrixWhistler Film FestivalBest International ShortWorkPat Mullen, "River, Coyote Top Whistler Film Festival Awards Winners". Point of View, December 4, 2022.
References
External links Warsha at N Arts & Culture Trailer Warsha on Vimeo Interview Dania Bdeir on Film Fest report Warsha on Broadcastpro