Available to hire
Hello! I’m Khalil Drey fus Zaarour, a Lebanese filmmaker, trainer, and creative content director weaving stories for film, television, and education. Over two decades, I’ve built a career blending storytelling with hands-on training, developing projects from concept to screen, and mentoring aspiring filmmakers across Lebanon and the region.
My work spans feature documentaries, short films, and impactful campaigns that educate and empower. I’ve led productions like Nour (2017) and The Birds have left Beirut, and I currently train and advise at Equality Now MENA and various partners to amplify voices and tell meaningful stories.
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Language
Arabic
Fluent
French
Fluent
English
Fluent
Work Experience
Part-time Instructor (Scriptwriting, Filmmaking, Journalism, Art of Film, Editing, Advanced TV Production, Topics in TV/Film, World Cinema, Communication Arts, Creative Copywriting, History & Theory of Film) at Lebanese American University (LAU)
December 31, 2016 - September 19, 2025Instructed courses on film and media disciplines; taught scriptwriting, filmmaking, journalism, editing, TV production, world cinema, and media studies.
Part-time Instructor at Antonine University (Beirut/UPA)
January 31, 2019 - September 19, 2025Documentary and senior film courses.
Chairperson, Faculty of Performing Arts at Lebanese German University (LGU)
September 30, 2015 - September 19, 2025Founded the department of communication, media, journalism, theatre, film and TV from scratch; wrote the curriculum, managed studio equipment, recruited instructors, budgeting, fundraising, marketing the department, and established foreign relations with universities and media partners.
Part-time Instructor at Notre Dame University (NDU)
February 28, 2014 - September 19, 2025Instructed TV/Film courses.
Communication/ Media /Content Trainer at Equality Now MENA
June 1, 2020 - PresentDelivering training on communication, media, and content development for gender equality initiatives.
Creative Consultant at Ministry of Economic Empowerment for Women & Youth (EEWAY)
November 30, 2019 - September 19, 2025Provided creative content guidance and strategic input for empowerment programs.
Producer/Writer/Director at Codebrave
October 1, 2022 - September 19, 2025Produced creative content videos for Codebrave organization.
Producer/Writer/Director at National Commission for Lebanese Women (NCLW) with UNICEF and EU
December 9, 2021 - September 19, 2025Awareness campaign for girls' education.
Producer/Writer/Director at International Women’s Day 2018
March 8, 2018 - September 19, 2025Video content for IWD 2018.
Producer/Writer/Director at NOUR
March 6, 2019 - September 19, 2025Award-winning feature film; released in cinemas in France on March 6, 2019.
Writer/Director at Malaki - Scent of an Angel
December 31, 2011 - September 19, 2025Docu-fiction feature; first Lebanese documentary released in commercial theatres (2011); won 27 awards & nominations.
Writer/Director at The Window
December 1, 2006 - September 19, 2025Short film; winner of Best Film at the 13th European Film Festival; multiple accolades.
Director / Producer at LBCI (Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International)
March 31, 2008 - September 19, 2025Directed/Produced three TV shows: Doctors Diaries, A Family Story, and the MIT Arab Business Plan Competition reality show.
Segment Director at LBCI
April 30, 2006 - September 19, 2025Segment director for Star Academy 3; concept and direction for Prime Night Reports.
Co-Producer at LBCI
March 31, 2005 - September 19, 2025Co-producer on programs such as Star Academy Middle East and The Apprentice Middle East.
Editor / Promotional Spots Producer at Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation (LBCI)
March 31, 2004 - September 19, 2025Editing and creating promotional spots from script to screen; concept campaigns for launches and channels.
Part-time Instructor at Lebanese American University
January 31, 2016 - September 19, 2025Instructed courses including Scriptwriting, filmmaking, journalism, art of Film, editing, advanced TV production, topics in TV/Film (world cinema), and related Communication Arts subjects.
Part-time Instructor at Antonine University
January 31, 2019 - September 19, 2025Instructor for Documentary and senior film courses.
Chairperson, Faculty of Performing Arts at Lebanese German University (LGU)
September 1, 2015 - September 19, 2025Founded the department of communication, media, journalism, theatre, film and TV from scratch; wrote the curriculum, managed studio equipment, recruited instructors, handled budgeting, fundraising, and marketing; developed foreign relations with universities and media partners.
Part-time Instructor at Notre Dame University (NDU)
February 1, 2014 - September 19, 2025Instructor for TV/Film courses.
Producer/Director at 66 DAYS
January 1, 2023 - PresentFeature documentary in post-production; Stories from the last war on Lebanon.
Producer/Director at The Birds have left Beirut
December 31, 2023 - September 19, 2025Short film about the August 4 Beirut explosion; won multiple awards and nominations worldwide.
Communication/Media/Content Trainer at Equality Now MENA
June 1, 2020 - PresentContent and media training for advocacy and awareness campaigns.
Creative Consultant at Ministry of Economic Empowerment for Women & Youth (EEWAY)
November 1, 2019 - September 19, 2025Creative consulting for women’s and youth empowerment initiatives.
Writer/Director/Producer at NOUR
December 31, 2017 - September 19, 2025Award-winning feature film; released in cinemas in France on March 6, 2019; earned extensive international recognition.
Writer/Director at MALAKI - SCENT OF AN ANGEL
December 31, 2011 - September 19, 2025Docu-fiction feature; released in Lebanese theatres in 2011 and showcased at multiple festivals.
Writer/Director at The Window
December 31, 2006 - September 19, 2025Short film; winner of Best Film at the 13th European Film Festival; multiple festival nominations and TV broadcasts.
Director/Producer at LBCI
March 1, 2008 - September 19, 2025Directed/produced several TV shows including Doctors Diaries, A Family Story, and the MIT Arab Business Plan Competition reality show.
Segment Director at LBCI
April 1, 2006 - September 19, 2025Segment director for Star Academy 3; concept creator and director/editor for Prime Night Reports.
Co-Producer at LBCI
April 1, 2005 - September 19, 2025Co-producer for Star Academy Middle East and The Apprentice Middle East.
Editor at Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation (LBCI)
March 31, 2004 - September 19, 2025Editing and creating promotional spots from script to screen; multiple campaigns and channel launches.
Instructor / Lecturer (Scriptwriting, Filmmaking, Journalism, Editing, TV Production) at Lebanese American University (LAU)
February 1, 2007 - February 29, 2016Part-time instructor teaching scriptwriting, filmmaking, journalism, art of Film, editing, advanced TV production, world cinema, and media in Lebanon and the Middle East.
Part-time Instructor – Documentary and Senior Film Courses at Antonine University (UPA), Beirut
February 1, 2012 - January 31, 2019Instructor of Documentary and senior film courses.
Chairperson, Faculty of Performing Arts / Founder of Department at Lebanese German University (LGU)
September 1, 2008 - September 30, 2015Founded the department of communication, media, journalism, theatre, film and TV from scratch; wrote the curriculum; handled studio equipment, recruitment, budgeting, fundraising, marketing and foreign relations.
Part-time Instructor – TV/Film Courses at Notre Dame University (NDU)
February 1, 2012 - February 28, 2014Instructor of TV/Film courses.
Producer / Director at 66 DAYS (feature documentary)
January 1, 2025 - PresentProducer/Director of the feature documentary film, in post-production; Stories from the last war on Lebanon.
Producer / Director at The Birds have left Beirut (short film)
January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023Producer/Director of the short film about the August 4 Beirut explosion; won multiple awards and nominations worldwide.
Communication / Media / Content Trainer at Equality Now MENA
June 1, 2020 - PresentTrainer and consultant delivering communication, media and content training.
Producer / Writer / Director – Creative Content Films at Codebrave Organization
October 1, 2022 - October 31, 2022Producer / Writer / Director for creative content films for Codebrave.
Producer / Director – Awareness Campaign at National Commission for Lebanese Women (NCLW) / UNICEF / EU
December 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021Producer / Director for awareness campaign on girls' education.
Producer / Writer / Director – Economic Empowerment for Women & Youth Official Video at Ministry / Government Partnership
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019Producer / Writer / Director for official video promoting economic empowerment for women and youth.
Producer / Director – Indeed Better Together NGO at Indeed Better Together NGO
January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018Producer / Director for campaigns and content for the NGO.
Producer / Director – Safadi Foundation at Safadi Foundation
January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2017Content production and campaign development.
Campaign Producer – Together for Warmer Hearts at Various
January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2017Campaign videos and content creation.
Campaign Producer – International Women’s Day 2018 at Various
March 1, 2018 - March 31, 2018Campaign videos for International Women’s Day 2018.
Writer / Director at MALAKI - SCENT OF AN ANGEL (docu-fiction feature)
January 1, 2011 - December 31, 2011Writer / Director of the docu-fiction feature MALAKI - SCENT OF AN ANGEL.
Writer / Director at The Window (short film)
January 1, 2006 - December 31, 2006Writer / Director; award-winning short film.
Director / Producer at LBCI
September 1, 2006 - March 31, 2008Director / Producer of three TV shows: Doctors Diaries, A Family Story, MIT Arab Business Plan Competition.
Segment Director at LBCI
November 1, 2005 - April 30, 2006Segment director for Star Academy 3; concept creator and director/editor of Prime Night Reports.
Co-Producer at LBCI
March 1, 2004 - March 31, 2005Co-producer on Star Academy Middle East and The Apprentice Middle East.
Editor / Campaign Designer at Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation (LBCI)
February 1, 2001 - March 31, 2004Editing and creating promotional spots; concept creator for news campaigns and Iraqi Channel launch (Al Iraqiya).
Education
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Film Production/Directing (Terminal Degree) at USEK - Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Lebanon
January 1, 2002 - January 1, 2006Summer Intensive: Scriptwriting, Creative Content at Chapman University, Orange County, California
June 1, 2006 - August 31, 2006Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Radio/TV/Film at Lebanese American University (LAU), Byblos, Lebanon
January 1, 1996 - January 1, 2001Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Film Production / Directing at USEK - Holy Spirit University of Kaslik
January 1, 2002 - December 31, 2006Intensive scriptwriting, creative content courses at Chapman University
June 1, 2006 - August 31, 2006Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Radio/TV/Film at Lebanese American University (LAU) – Byblos
January 1, 1996 - December 31, 2001Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Film Production/Directing at USEK - Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Lebanon
January 1, 2002 - January 1, 2006Certificate in Intensive Scriptwriting / Creative Content at Chapman University, Orange County, California
June 1, 2006 - August 31, 2006Bachelor of Arts in Radio/TV/Film at Lebanese American University (LAU), Byblos, Lebanon
January 1, 1996 - January 1, 2001Qualifications
LAU President Award of Excellence
January 1, 2018 - September 19, 2025LAU President Award of Excellence
January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018LAU President Award of Excellence
January 1, 2018 - January 6, 2026Industry Experience
Media & Entertainment, Education, Non-Profit Organization, Professional Services, Government
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
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