Lebanese director Karim Kassem is premiering his new film "Pipes" in the Crystal Globe Competition at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival, marking his fifth film in five years and cementing his reputation as one of the most prolific directors in the MENA region despite Lebanon's ongoing instability. The film uses the story of a rural community to draw attention to overlooked social issues, particularly the plight of migrant workers who go missing without anyone asking after them.

"Pipes" is a spinoff of Kassem's 2024 drama "Moondove", extending the story of Hassan (Ghassan Saad), a retired water authority worker in a small village who cannot stop helping his neighbours while grieving a friend whose death may not have been accidental. Kassem, who cast local villagers as non-actors, weaves in themes of water scarcity, conflict and migration, drawing on his news background and philosophical training. He attributes his prolific output to his skills as a cinematographer and producer, tight budgeting, and consistent backing from MENA funds, with a strategy of shooting cheaply and investing in post-production.