LGBTI Film Banned From Lebanese Film Festival

The director of British film Wasp believes the film was banned from the Beirut Film Festival in Lebanon as a result of its “LGBT content”.

The film is centred around a gay couple on holiday in the south of France who encounter a long-lost friend, who arrives and disrupts their holiday while attracting the attention of one of the men.

The film has been praised for its depiction of fluid sexuality and won best international feature and best actress at FilmOut San Diego this year.

Philippe Audi-Dor who wrote and directed the film said he was very disappointed that Wasp wouldn’t be screening at the renowned Beirut International Film Festival because of its LGBT content.

A British film has been banned from the Beirut Film Festival (October 7-15) and the director believes it was cut for its ‘LGBT content’.

“I am very disappointed that Wasp won’t be screening at the renowned Beirut International Film Festival because of its LGBT content,” Philippe Audi-Dor said.

“I do understand that the film touches upon a delicate subject and do respect the censorship bureau’s decision.”

“I do think however that the cancelling of the movie emphasizes just how relevant a film like Wasp is in today’s world.”

The film has been screened at multiple other film festivals around the world including the Boston LGBT Film Festival, and Raindance Film Festival, to name a few.

LGBTI content has been screened at the Beirut International Film Festival in the past including he British film Lilting, starring openly gay actor Ben Whishaw.

According to a spokesperson for the Beirut International Film Festival, the film Wasp was banned because it had failed to secure a screening licence.

Last Updated on Oct 12, 2015