Ray
Barakat

about the jury

Ray Barakat launched his career in the vibrant Lebanese film industry as an Assistant Director and Production Manager, collaborating with several prominent production companies in Beirut. In 1999, he transitioned to full-line producing when he joined The Talkies, a major production house, where he spent a decade honing his craft and overseeing numerous high-profile commercials, corporate spots, and branded content. 

In 2009, Ray co-founded Clandestino Films alongside partners including Wissam Smayra. Under his stewardship as Executive Producer and Partner, the Beirut then Dubai-based independent company has grown to producing impactful content across the Middle East and internationally. 

Highlights of his career include:

• Témoins (2016) – Produced this award-winning short film by director David Koche, which garnered critical acclaim at festivals worldwide and secured a nomination in the Best Short Film category at the 2016 Academy Awards. 

• Capernaum (2018) – Served as Executive Producer on Nadine Labaki’s lauded drama, which won the Jury Prize at Cannes and received widespread international recognition; it was nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 2019 Academy Awards, marking a historic milestone for Arab cinema. 
• Undocumented (2017) – Co-produced this ambitious six episode miniseries directed by Amin Dora, which achieved notable online success across the region. 

In total, Ray has produced thousands of television commercials, partnering with both regional and global brands, showcasing his versatility and deep understanding of production excellence. 

Ray combines creative storytelling with business savvy. Through Clandestino Films, he has nurtured emerging voices in the Arab world, balancing commercial production with auteur-driven cinema. His vision reflects in productions that are both artistically meaningful and commercially viable.