The ceremony began with the Lebanese Anthem, then, the speaker on behalf of ALBA, the ‘Academie Libanaise des Beaux Arts’, Lebanese Academy of Beautiful Arts, uttered honoring words, welcoming Mr. Nasr.

Later, Mr. George Keedy, the manager of the cultural page of An-Nahar’ Newspaper, spoke about the history of Cinema in Lebanon, pointing out Mr. Nasr as the pioneer of the Lebanese Movie Industry, who came forward and thanked the ALBA, the Ministry of Culture, and the Lebanese Syndicate.

He also asked for governmental support for the cinema industry in Lebanon, promising a great potentiality in Lebanese film directors if ever given the chance and the support they needed to make the Lebanese cinema successful not only in Lebanon but also in Europe and the United states.

Later, there was a projection of his film Ela Ayne?

George Michel Nasr was born in the year 1927, in Tripoli, Lebanon. Unhappy with his first choice to study Civil Engineering, Nasr decided to leave Lebanon for Hollywood. He went to the United States to study Cinema in Los Angeles, California, at the infamous University, UCLA.

After receiving his degree, he came back to Lebanon; hoping that he could make professional high quality Lebanese Movies. Nasr’s films are classified as part of the Realistic Genre. According to film critics, his movies were considered to be the beginning of Cinema in Lebanon.

Again, after more than a month, on the 17th of August, a memorable cinematic celebration took place. As part of Ehden’s Ehdeniyat Summer Festival called Cinemaiyat, this event celebrated both the current Lebanese Film Industry, and the career achievements of longtime Lebanese director, George Nasr.

The Festivities began with the arrival of Minister Sleiman Frangie and his wife, Rima Frangie. In addition, Cultural Minister Gazi Al-Aridi kicked off the ceremony by speaking about the Lebanese Cinema, and how it should be supported by the Lebanese and the Lebanese Government.
 

George Nasr’s Films Include:

• Ela Ayne? (Where to?) – 1957 – Nasr’s first film. It opened up the gates for him and the Lebanese Film Industry, by being recognized internationally at the Cannes Film Festival. There, Ela Ayne was nominated for an award. This marked the first official time in history that a Lebanese Director and/or Film would be nominated to such an award of this magnitude.
   
• Gharib Al-Saghir (Little Stranger) – 1962
   
• Yakfih Rajoul Wahad (One Man is Sufficient) – 1975

In addition to film, he wrote and directed several short movies and documentaries. His recent work was Loubnan in Rawa (If Lebanon told its story) - 1997. This was a documentary made for the Ministry of Tourism, which narrates the History and Culture of Lebanon. It became a reference for many foreign countries across the world.

Moreover, he was elected several times as the Head of the Lebanese Cinema Syndicate; a position he still holds till this day. He also teaches Film at ALBA University in Beirut, Lebanon.