2016 Winners & Shortlists

The Campaign

The film follows an everyday Lebanese Taxi Driver (Protagonist) as he deals with everyday difficult customers (Antagonists) while out on the road. Even after a long day, he invites the viewer to “Be Smooth”, and see the positive in every situation. The protagonist begins by describing his adoration for the job. He reveals his love for meeting new people, before cutting to a grumpy old woman as she shouts incomprehensible directions at him. He then describes how he meets people with real passion; before cutting to a bickering couple in the backseat of the cab. “But a client is a client,” he exclaims, as we see a rambunctious group of children in the back, with a less than aware mother taking a selfie in the front seat. The final scene reveals two secret service agents entering the back seat, as he humbly utters “There are things I can’t even tell you about.” The message? Even though life can be intense, there’s always a positive side. Just like your coffee is smooth (with Coffee-Mate), so too can you be. #BeSmooth We are left with a passenger yelling ‘Ziad!’ to our protagonist. He quickly retorts with ‘It’s Mr. Ziad!’.