Al-Ahliyya Amman University Student Serves on UNIMED Award 2026 Jury at Venice Film Festival

Kristel Habchi, a student at Al-Ahliyya Amman University, served as a member of the international jury for the UNIMED Award 2026 as part of the 83rd edition of the Venice International Film Festival. The jury brought together 25 students from 16 universities affiliated with the Mediterranean Universities Union (UNIMED), representing seven countries. Habchi participated as a member of the international jury responsible for evaluating the films and selecting the work that best reflects the values of cultural diversity, artistic freedom of expression, and intercultural dialogue. Following its deliberations, the jury awarded the UNIMED Award 2026 to Look Back, directed by Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda, in recognition of its human-centered portrayal of relationships among young people and the power of shared passion in overcoming isolation and social judgment. The film also promotes the values of diversity and human connection while highlighting the importance of overcoming cultural and linguistic barriers. The jury praised the winning film for its calm yet powerful storytelling, which relies on detail and human emotion to explore themes of friendship, ambition, loss, and uncertainty. The film also emphasizes the importance of continuing to pursue one’s dreams despite life’s challenges. As a Graphic Design and Multimedia student, Habchi found the experience particularly valuable in developing her perspective on visual storytelling. Her participation provided her with new insights into how images and art can be used to convey ideas and emotions and build bridges between cultures. Habchi’s participation in the award jury represents a distinguished international experience, allowing her to engage with students from universities across the Mediterranean and contribute to the evaluation of cinematic works at one of the world’s leading film festivals. It also provided an opportunity to take part in a cultural dialogue that brought together diverse experiences and perspectives. Habchi emphasized that serving on the jury was an important international experience, expressing her pride in representing Al-Ahliyya Amman University and Jordan, while also representing her home country, Lebanon, and contributing an Arab perspective to t