75East has signed Lebanese filmmaker Cyril Aris to represent his debut feature, 'A Sad and Beautiful World'. The film has already made waves on the festival circuit, winning the Audience Award at the Venice Film Festival's Giornate degli Autori section. It's also Lebanon's submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards. Set across three decades in Beirut, the sweeping romance stars Hassan Akil and Mounia Akl as star-crossed lovers, torn between love and survival. The film is co-written by Aris and Bane Fakih and produced by Abbout Productions, Diversity Hire, and Reynard Films. Aris' previous credits include the feature documentary 'Dancing on the Edge of a Volcano' and 'The Swing', both of which premiered at Karlovy Vary and won multiple awards internationally. A Columbia University MFA graduate, Aris also works as an editor and is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. 75East, launched in 2023, represents exciting filmmaking talent from around the globe, with a focus on SWANA (Southwest Asia and North Africa) region and diaspora filmmakers. Other filmmakers represented by 75East include BAFTA-winner and Oscar-nominee Bassel Ghandour, Palme d'Or-nominee Abu Bakr Shawky, and Gotham Best Breakthrough Director nominee Mahdi Fleifel. Aris is also represented by Independent Talent Group.
