Fantascope

THE COMPANY

Being a natural, Aractingi set up his own production house back in 1989. Specialized in content production, short interviews, commercial and non-commercial documentaries, Fantascope has produced and co-produced over 140 films that have aired on various international TV stations such as The Discovery Channel, France 2, France 3 and ARTE. Aside from 4 widely-acclaimed feature films, Fantascope has also produced corporate films for the Impact BBDO, BLOM Bank, CDR (Council for Development and Reconstruction), the Lebanese Ministry of Tourism, Banque du Liban, Imam Moussa el Sadr Foundation, FRANSABANK, Banque Libano-Francaise, Baalbeck Film Festival, K.A. CARE, The World Bank, etc.

1- DOCUMENTARIES

Documentaries represent the core of our work; they are our specialty. We have produced and co-produced more than 100 documentaries and hundreds of short interviews and films. These have been shot in various formats (from short films to 52min documentaries) and were dedicated to an array of topics and places around the world. Fantascope has dedicated a film to the archaeological record in Sri Lanka, one to acrobat children in Morocco, and another to the giraffes in South Africa. Most notably, Fantascope has produced: “Une Terre Pour un Homme” (2012); “Prochain Arrêt: Beyrouth” – ARTE (2012); Voyage en Terre Bio (2000); “Le Rêve de l’Enfant Acrobate” (1997); “Chemins de Femmes” (1994); “Beyrouth de Pierres et de Mémoire” (1992); “Par le Regard des Mères” (1992); “La Vallée de Kadicha” (1991); “Vol Libre” (1990). Fantascope has also produced documentaries for several international TV stations such as Discovery Channel, France 2, France 3, ARTE as well as for LBCI, Aljazeera, and MTV.

2- CORPORATE FILMS

Since 1997, Fantascope Production has expanded its activities to include promotional and advertisement film production and has set up a separate department dedicated to corporate films. Fantascope Production is happy to count many prominent firms and governmental organizations among its clientele including but not limited to: Middle East Airlines (MEA), Impact BBDO, BLOM Bank, CDR (Council for Development and Reconstruction), the Lebanese Ministry of Tourism, Banque du Liban, Imam Moussa el Sadr Foundation, Fransabank, Banque Libano-Francaise (BLF), Baalbeck Film Festival, The World Bank, Millennium Development (Lebanon and Dubai), King Abdallah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (K.A. Care), etc.

3- FEATURE FILMS

In 2004, Fantascope Production began producing feature films. “Bosta,” the first post-war musical, was financed by regional investors. When it raised money from 26 investors, Fantascope Production established a breakthrough in terms of production in the Middle East where filmmakers often turn to European contributors. “Under the Bombs” was made guerrilla-style from initial concept to completion. It was finished in less than a year, and has won more than 23 prizes to date. “Heritages” (2014), Fantascope’s third film, narrates the exile of the director’s own family across four generations and a hundred years of history. Fantascope’s most recent feature is “Listen” (2017), a sensual love story that was a critical success and captured the hearts of audiences. In a country where cinema barely exists, Fantascope has shaped itself to be an active advocate for Lebanese cinema.

THE TEAM

We are a team of creative professionals working together, with you, to turn ideas into films.

As the company’s filmmaker, Philippe directs films to turn original ideas and clients’ content into polished feature, corporate, and documentary films.

Rim manages the production of Fantascope’s films. She ensures the smooth development of pre-production, production, and post-production . She monitors office duties by meeting deadlines and deliveries.