Meet Kareem Jrab | Film Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kareem Jrab and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kareem, how do you define success?
To me, success isn’t just about notoriety, numbers, and awards. It’s about the way my art affects people and resonates with them. It’s the conversations my work sparks, the emotions it evokes, the connections it creates, and the lives it might change. What really matters is how my creativity inspires others to express themselves and share their own creations with the world. That’s what real success is to me. I’m also proud to represent Beirut internationally, adding a fresh perspective to the film industry and portraying our stories to the rest of the world.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Leaving Beirut in 2020 was a big step for me to chase my dreams. Starting 2019, my country went through an ongoing financial recession rendering hundreds of thousands of people to live under the poverty with ongoing civil and political unrest. People were and still are focused on surviving rather than making art or improving their lives.

Luckily, I had the chance to move to the United States to focus on my future. Unlike in Beirut, where it was hard to create art due to money and instability, I found more opportunities here. I was able to plan out my films and my future, connect with other creative folks, and even work on movie sets. Adapting to a new place and different people was tricky at first, but everyone I met made me feel welcome. Still, it sometimes feel overwhelming to make ends meet when I technically don’t have a financial support system anymore.

Being away from my home country gave me a new way of looking at things and helped shape my ideas. Everything I create is influenced by what I’ve been through. The key ingredients for my work are passion, hard work, and love, which come together to make my creations special.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My favorite spots in the New York include:

– Museum of Modern Art
– Central Park/Washington Square Park
– VintageClothingNearMe in Brooklyn
– American Bar/Fanelli Cafe
– Magnolia Bakery & Dominique Ansel
– Brooklyn Mirage
– Manousheh Bleecker

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’m truly grateful to my social studies teacher, Mrs. Sawsan. Her belief in my filmmaking abilities from a young age, along with her support and encouragement, has not only motivated me to refine my skills but also inspired me to wholeheartedly embrace the path of filmmaking.

Website: https://www.jrab.xyz/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/kareemjrab