In 2017, we filmed a short documentary about Maram, a 13-year-old Syrian refugee girl who sold flowers on the streets of Beirut. Two years later, in 2019, we cast her in a short narrative film highlighting the impact of Lebanon’s gender-biased citizenship laws. Her name, Maram, means "Aspiration" in Arabic.

In 2020, we lost contact with Maram. But in late 2024, she reconnected with us and shared the harrowing story of her past four years. What she told us was so devastating that we knew her story had to be told. This led to Maram: Between Shadow & Light, a new documentary filmed in early November 2024, while war raged in the background. This is not an easy film to watch.

To ensure Maram’s story reaches an international audience and, hopefully, someone who can help her, we need to submit the documentary to major film festivals. However, festival submissions come with fees, which is why we are launching this fundraising campaign. This will be an ongoing effort: the more support we receive, the wider the reach. Additionally, once we meet our festival goals, we plan to turn this fund into direct support for Maram herself.

Directed, Edited, Color Graded, & Sound Designed by Samer Beyhum

Produced by Josef Khalouf

Filmed by Sacha Constantin

Music by Yal Solan, Jessica Bou Malhab, Lea Hachem, Hanna Yazbeck, Elie Abou Rjeily, & Carol Abi Ghanem