Shadows of Beirut is a drama following Lana, a London-based émigré who returns to her native city after 25 years to see her dying biological father, from whom she has only traumatic childhood memories involving alcoholism and violence. The film examines her struggle with OCD, anxiety and family trauma as she attempts to reconnect with her roots and confront suppressed family secrets before her father's death.

Shot during the Covid-19 pandemic partly in Beirut and partly on Bulgarian sets, the film features Lana gradually shedding her excessive sanitary precautions as she bonds with her cousin Rami and new friend Sirine, who provides crucial support during her panic attacks. Though the cast's English-language performances feel somewhat stiff and uncommitted, director Tina Gharavi elicits more authentic work from them in Arabic, with particular strength in the supporting performances of peripheral characters. The film releases in UK cinemas from 25 September.