Warsha


Warsha is a 2022 French-Lebanese short film directed by Dania Bdeir. The fifteen-minute short stars multidisciplinary performer Khansa, who plays a migrant worker and crane operator in Beirut. After its premiere at Sundance Film Festival, where it won the award for Best Short Film, the film has been presented in numerous international film festivals, including the Clermont-Ferrand Film Festival and the Seminci Valladolid Film Festival, where it won the Rainbow for Best Film. The short advanced to the shortlist for the 95th Academy Awards under the category of Academy Award for Best [Live Action Short Film|Best Live Action Short Film], but did not qualify to the final five. The short also competed in the 48th César Awards.

Plot

In Beirut, a migrant worker volunteers to operate a very dangerous construction crane. Finally alone, he feels free to express his fantasies.

Reception

Since its launch, the film has been selected in various festivals and academies around the world:
YearFestivalsAward/CategoryStatus
2022Sundance Film FestivalShort Film Jury Award international fictionWon
2022International [Film Festival Rotterdam|IFFR Rotterdam]Best Short
2022Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film FestivalGrand Prix National
2022Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film FestivalBest [Queer Short Award|Best Queer Short]Nomitated
2022Tampere Film FestivalBest International FictionWon
2022Saguenay International Short Film FestivalJury PrizeWon
2022Aspen ShortsfestSpecial RecognitionWon
2022OutfestGrand Jury Prize for Outstanding International Narrative ShortWon
2022SXSW Film FestivalGrand Jury Award for Best Narrative Short
2022Zubroffka FestivalGrand PrixWon
2022Short Shorts Film Festival & AsiaGrand PrixWon
2022Whistler Film FestivalBest International ShortWorkWon