Lebanon’s Oscar Entry “A Sad and Beautiful World” Hits Cinemas Across Lebanon Today
Lebanon’s official entry to the 98th Academy Awards, A Sad and Beautiful World (Arabic title: Noujoum el Amal), is hitting cinema screens across the country today, January 29, 2026, and it’s one film you won’t want to miss.
Directed by Lebanese filmmaker Cyril Aris, the film tells the story of Nino and Yasmina, portrayed by Hasan Akil and Mounia Akl. Spanning three decades, their journey unfolds through love, loss, hope, and impossible choices, as they navigate the harsh realities of life in Lebanon. Torn between staying and building a future in their homeland or leaving in search of stability, their relationship becomes a mirror of a country struggling to survive.
Described by Aris as a story that “jumps through time,” A Sad and Beautiful World weaves personal memories with key moments in Lebanon’s recent history. It’s both an intimate love story and a powerful portrait of a nation in constant transformation.
The film premiered at the 82nd Venice Film Festival in August 2025, where it won the People’s Choice Award, before traveling to major international festivals in London, Hamburg, São Paulo, and Saudi Arabia. Along the way, it collected an impressive list of accolades, including Best Film at the Asian World Film Festival, Best Screenplay at the Red Sea International Film Festival, Best Film at the Bastia Mediterranean Film Festival, the Hamburg Producers Award, Best Film Music at the Montpellier Mediterranean Film Festival, and Best Foreign Language Film at the Palm Springs International Festival.
The cast also includes Julia Kassar, Camille Salameh, Omar Layza, Nadyn Chalhoub, and Tino Karam, with the film produced by Abbout Productions in Lebanon and co-produced by Cinenovo (France) and Reynard Films (Germany).
Where To Watch “A Sad and Beautiful World” in Lebanon
You can catch the film starting today, January 29, 2026, at the following cinemas:
- ABC Cinemas – Achrafieh, Dbayeh & Verdun
- Beirut Souks Cinemas – Downtown
- VOX Cinemas – Hazmieh
- Le Mall Cinemas – Dbayeh
- Metropolis Cinema – Mar Mikhael / Achrafieh
You can watch the full trailer below:
If you’re looking for a film that captures the emotional weight of love, memory, and life in Lebanon, A Sad and Beautiful World might just be the one to watch this week.
