Manam is a 2025 single by Lebanese multidisciplinary artist Yal Solan, a deeply introspective track that blends trip hop textures with meditative rhythms and soulful restraint. The song reflects on stillness not as passivity but as a form of survival and quiet resistance, engaging with the idea of the freeze response as a conscious, protective pause in the face of overwhelming social and political pressure. Rather than glorifying endurance or constant motion, Manam honors rest, grounding, and inner containment as radical acts, especially within the Lebanese context. Emotionally restrained yet powerful, the song invites listeners into a liminal space between vulnerability and strength, where silence and slowness carry their own weight.
The music video for Manam was developed as a collaborative project of the Beirut Film Center, with support from Solo Films, produced during the Summer 2025 Filmmaking Bootcamp, bringing together industry professionals and emerging filmmakers in a hands-on educational environment. Led by filmmaker, director, and production designer Robert Minasian, the project emphasized mentorship through real-world practice, with students working directly on set alongside experienced artists. Cinematography was led by Liza Nasser, a former BFC student herself, whose visual approach focused on texture, intimacy, and controlled movement, mirroring the song’s trance-like emotional cadence. Makeup artist Rawan Hachem contributed a subtle, expressive aesthetic that supported the video’s shifting emotional tones without overpowering them, allowing performance and presence to remain central.
Visually, the video translates the song’s themes into an immersive, atmospheric experience rather than a linear narrative. Through carefully composed frames, deliberate pacing, and the interplay between stillness and motion, the film explores inner landscapes of calm and tension that coexist within the same body. Natural elements, restrained performance, and layered visual textures blur the line between dream and waking life, echoing the song’s meditative quality. Bootcamp students were actively involved across all stages of production, from camera and lighting to art direction and on-set coordination, making the project both a professional-level music video and a pedagogical experience rooted in collaboration, trust, and creative exchange. The result is a work that reflects both Yal Solan’s artistic voice and the Beirut Film Center’s commitment to learning through meaningful, socially and emotionally grounded filmmaking.
Project Collaborators
Yal Solan
BFC Co-Founder, Singer, Poet, Multidisciplinary Artist
A Lebanese singer, actress, model, poet, and multidisciplinary artist who blends her poetry with her oriental roots, occidental influences and mystical inspirations. By marrying ethereal vocals and oriental sounds, she is carving her signature sound within the wide spectrum of soul, fusion and world music. Yal initially gained recognition in the Arab world for singing “Chou Original”, the theme song of the series Salon Zahra, in collaboration with artist, composer and producer Mike Massy in September 2021.
Since March 2022, Yal began releasing original music with her debut single “Silent Fireworks”, coined an “ethereal tour de force” by SceneNoise. Yal then formed her ensemble band, elevating her music to the stages of the most prominent artistic and cultural events, such as the international Sofar Sounds, Institut Français’ Fête de la Musique 2x, Raseef22’s media forum, and Metro Al Madina’s Tazaj.
In July 2023, Yal was one of 10 selected artists by Beirut & Beyond, where she got her hit single “La7ali”, to be arranged & produced in collaboration with composer and producer Bachar Mar-Khalife’s Paris-based label Balcoon. Yal was also one of 10 selected soul-pop vocalists in the MENA region for MDLBEAST’s Xperform in October 2023, and as a result, had her debut international performance in Riyadh at the XP Music Futures conference in December 2023.
Apart from music, Yal is an animator and graphic designer for NGOs, a fashion model, commercial actress, voice-over artist, and a dedicated yogi, absorbing the embodiment from her practices that shape and inspire her distinctive presence.
Robert Minassian
Filmmaker, Productions Designer, Art Director
Robert Minassian is a Lebanese filmmaker of Armenian heritage whose work is rooted in visual storytelling and spatial imagination. Working across cinema, performance, and design, he has built a practice that moves fluidly between image, space, and emotion. He is best known for his work as a Production Designer on a wide range of Lebanese projects, including short films, music videos, and commercial advertisements, where his attention to detail and sensitivity to atmosphere play a central role in shaping narrative worlds.
Drawing from his multicultural background, Minassian approaches storytelling as a layered and embodied experience. His creative process is deeply influenced by place, memory, and the quiet poetry of everyday life. Whether designing a set or crafting a film frame, he treats space as a living element one that holds emotion, history, and transformation.
Beyond film, he has expanded his practice into theatrical and play performances, where set design becomes an integral narrative tool rather than a backdrop. In these works, he creates immersive environments that invite audiences to feel, inhabit, and reflect rather than simply observe. This interdisciplinary approach allows him to blur the boundaries between cinema, performance, and installation.
Through a poetic and contemplative lens, Minassian’s films often explore themes of healing, vulnerability, and personal transformation. Nature, light, texture, and fleeting human gestures recur throughout his work, grounding his stories in moments of stillness and authenticity. Regardless of the medium, his art remains closely connected to the natural world and the unnoticed beauty of everyday moments, encouraging viewers to engage with reality from a more attentive and humane perspective.
Samer Beyhum
Filmmaker, BFC Co-Director & Co-Founder, Lead Instructor
An award-winning Lebanese-Canadian filmmaker, director, sound engineer, editor, educator, and vegan chef whose work is deeply rooted in creating socially impactful content. As a co-founder of the Beirut Film Center (BFC), Samer has dedicated himself to empowering youth through film education, providing tools and opportunities for aspiring filmmakers to tell their stories and address pressing societal issues.
Samer's commitment to advocating for human rights and social justice is evident through his initiatives. He played a pivotal role in establishing the Children’s Rights Festival, a platform amplifying the voices of marginalized children and raising awareness about their rights through the powerful medium of cinema.
Similarly, his work with 99Media, which he co-founded in Canada, aligns with his belief in using art as a catalyst for change, championing stories that challenge societal norms and spark meaningful conversations. With decades of experience in post-production as an editor, colorist, sound designer, and workflow consultant, as well as expertise in live and recorded sound engineering, Samer’s technical skill set complements his creative vision and leadership. His projects often highlight underrepresented voices, with a particular focus on LGBTQ+ issues, refugee experiences, and gender equality, reflecting his unwavering dedication to advancing the human condition.
Beyond the realm of filmmaking, Samer is also a passionate vegan chef. He incorporates sustainability and compassion into his culinary creations, blending traditional Levantine flavors with a modern plant-based approach. This dedication to ethical living further reflects his holistic commitment to a better world. A true initiator of socially relevant projects, Samer’s work bridges education, activism, and artistic innovation. From founding his own film school to inspiring the next generation of storytellers, he continues to use his art and passions to shine a light on the challenges and triumphs of humanity, ensuring that stories of resilience and hope reach audiences worldwide.
Rawane Hachem
SFX Makeup Artist
Rawane Hachem is a visionary special effects makeup artist whose work blends technical mastery with imaginative design to bring characters and worlds to life. Trained in Vancouver, Canada at Vancouver Film School, she developed a strong foundation in cinematic makeup techniques, practical effects, prosthetics, and character design, grounding her creative instincts in industry-standard methods and film production workflows.
Since returning to the Middle East, Rawane has become a sought-after collaborator in experimental and narrative film projects. She has frequently worked with Lebanese multidisciplinary artist Yal Solan, contributing transformative SFX makeup that elevates storytelling and deepens emotional impact in visual works. Rawane’s approach balances precision with expressive flair, whether crafting subtle character enhancements or elaborate prosthetic transformations.
Her work reflects a commitment to crafting believable, character-driven effects that support directors, performers, and cinematographers alike. Rawan continues to explore new frontiers in makeup artistry, drawing from cinema, theatre, and contemporary art to expand what’s possible in on-set character creation.
Liza Nasser
Filmmaker, Cinematographer, Color Grader
Liza Nasser is a Lebanese cinematographer and color grader known for her keen visual sensibility and ability to craft evocative, cinematic narratives. She began her professional development by participating in the 2024 Beirut Film Center (BFC) Color Grading workshop, where she honed her technical expertise and developed a nuanced understanding of color as a powerful storytelling tool.
Since then, Liza has built a diverse portfolio that spans short films, commercials, and experimental projects, seamlessly blending cinematography and post-production artistry. Her work emphasizes mood, atmosphere, and emotional resonance, demonstrating a meticulous approach to both lighting and color grading. By combining her technical skills with a strong creative vision, Liza elevates each project she engages with, creating visuals that are both striking and narratively compelling.
Passionate about collaboration, she has worked with emerging and established filmmakers alike, contributing to projects that challenge conventional storytelling and push the boundaries of visual expression. Her portfolio showcases a balance between technical mastery and artistic intuition, reflecting her commitment to cinematic excellence.
BFC 2025 BootCamp
Prticipants
Mona Bibi
Shirley Ghostine
Shahed Ammar
Yara Assaad
Cidra Salman
Hasan Reslan
Raya Nasser
