Growing up in Lebanon, a country that is built around its diversity and cultural richness, my love for visual storytelling and culture quickly became intertwined. Lebanon’s mountains and green landscapes filled with majestic cedar trees were enough of a reason for me to take my camera with me everywhere. By enjoying the social and natural beauty of my country and applying it to my filmmaking, I was also able to identify the areas where societies were lacking. For example, poverty still affects children, marginalization of communities persists, and environmental injustice is growing. My journey as a filmmaker has been shaped by the rich tapestry of Lebanon's cultural diversity and natural beauty. My enthusiasm for visual storytelling has been inspired by the contrast between the astounding heights of human achievement and the resilience shown in the face of hardship. "One Cedar at a Time" and "Harvesting Hope" demanded not just creative ingenuity but an immersive dive into environmental initiatives and historical resilience. These endeavors demonstrated a dedication to narrating tales that capture the essence of their subjects. These projects were a commitment to telling stories that resonate with the very spirit of their subjects. I believe that films have the power to be more than just stories shown through a cinematic lens, and to become platforms for advocacy and research. 

-Emilio