8 must-see films at 1st Beirut Art Film Festival

The inaugural edition of the Beirut Art Film Festival will feature a stellar line-up of "the most exclusive documentaries."

Taking place from Nov. 5 to 8 at Metropolis Empire Sofil Cinema in Ashrafieh with additional screenings at several local universities, the festival will screen 25 films featuring subjects as diverse as museums, fashion and divas. With so many incredible options to choose from and the business of life getting in the way, how can one ever know which films to select?

Well, worry no more! Because StepFeed has taken the time to carefully select the crème de la crème. Although all the films are certainly exceptional, these are the 8 absolutely must-see films that you should definitely try to watch!

Screening on Nov. 8 at 8:00 p.m.

Directed by Frédéric Mitterrand, the documentary traces the more than half a century career of the Lebanese diva.

Screening on Nov. 8 at 7 p.m.

Telling the compelling story of the Arab world's classic star, directors Feriel Ben Mahmoud and Nicolas Daniel allow the audience to rediscover the music and the exceptional destiny of Oum Kalthoum.

Screening on Nov. 8 at 8 p.m.

Director Akram Zaatari takes an in-depth look at the studio practice, life and archives of Lebanese photographer Hashem el Madani.

Screening on Nov. 5 at 8 p.m. (World Premier)

Director David Pujol shows the Dalí Theatre-Museum as it has never been seen before, revealing the artist's creative process both through his own persona and that of his friend and painter Antoni Pitxot.

Screening on Nov. 6 at 8 p.m.

Taking an inside look at the work of Japanese world-renowned architect Tadao Ando, director Mathias Frick examines his architecture and the architect's sources of inspiration.

Screening on Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. with additional screenings at LAU and ALBA

Combining rare archival footage, dynamic narration and animated sequences, directors Jean-Pierre Devillers and Pierre Pochart tell the story of Jacques Jaujard, the director of the Louvre at the start of World War II.

Screening on Nov. 5 at 6 p.m.

Directed by Stephane Kopecky, the film examines the rivalry between two legendary French fashion designers and how each man indirectly represents a changing society.

Screening on Nov. 5 at 5 p.m .

For nearly 40 years, Wolfgang Beltracchi fooled the international art world and was responsible for the biggest art forgery scandal of the postwar era. Director Arne Birkenstock tells his story.