Moving to Beirut’s anarchic rhythm, “Underdown” follows the struggles of a Palestinian cab driver who lives in his car, a homeless Syrian kid and a Lebanese woman and her family. Through a pulsating journey filled with harsh realities and an unbreakable sense of humor, they convey glimmers of hope in the darkest of places.

Director Bio:

Sarah Kaskas is an award-winning filmmaker, an Emmy Nominated producer and a film educator. Focusing on the struggles and perseverance of marginalized communities, Sarah’s films have been touring world renowned festivals such as Tribeca, Aspen Shortsfest, Odense International and Hollyshorts. In 2016, Sarah co-founded Karaaj Films and released “Bread and Tea” which premiered and won Best Short Documentary at Cinéma Vérité. Her feature documentary “Underdown” premiered at IDFA in 2018 and picked up 5 awards including the Grand Prix at Mediteran Film Festival and the Jury Prize at Malmö Arab Film Festival. Her short documentary “STRUCK” and short fiction “The Window” were both completed in 2021 and are currently on tour. “The Window” has won Best Cinematography at Imagine This Women’s Film Festival and Best Narrative Short at Arab Film Festival. In 2022, Sarah produced “Beirut Dreams in Color,” which received an Emmy Nomination for Outstanding Short Documentary.