May El Koussa is an Assistant Professor at the Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts (ALBA, University of Balamand), where she was appointed Director of Studies in 2021, and then Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs in 2023. After pursuing a practical path in experimental cinema and video art with a BFA in Visual and Performing Arts from the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik in Lebanon, she entered the field of research in "Film Studies" through her studies at the University of Paris 1 – Panthéon-Sorbonne. In 2013, she earned a Ph.D. in "Arts and Art Sciences," with a focus on "Cinema and Audiovisual" from the same university. In 2014, she began her teaching experience at ALBA and contributed to the development of the School of Cinema and Audiovisual Production curriculum by offering innovative courses in the field of Film Studies. She teaches courses in Cinema and Methodology of Research in various schools within the Academy, alongside her engagement in other universities in Lebanon. She also served as the Coordinator for the Film History and Film Analysis courses from 2018 to 2021.

As a researcher, she has been an associate member of the ACTE Institute (Arts, Creation, Theory, Aesthetics) – Paris 1, Panthéon-Sorbonne since 2009. Her book entitled 'Through the Dynamics of Tears in Cinema – Sirk, Kieslowski, Bergman' was published in 2023 by L'Harmattan in the 'Champs Visuels' collection, where she further develops ideas from her thesis regarding tears in cinema through an aesthetic and interdisciplinary approach. Her articles are published in peer-reviewed international journals and appear as book chapters of internationally renowned collective works. Her research focuses on European, Mediterranean, and Lebanese cinemas, as well as issues related to erasure, tears in cinema, and more recently, the role of philosophy (primarily the concepts of Michel Foucault and Maurice Merleau-Ponty) in film analysis.

Ricardo Mbarkho is an artist, Assistant Professor, and Head of the Research Department at the Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts (ALBA, University of Balamand).

In his work, he explores and theorizes the aesthetic, economic, political, and social conditions and measures of an art that breaks free from the idea of the artwork, the audience, and the context; an art without a material or immaterial object, even post-immaterial. In an ideal type, one is engaged in a research-creation of art without art.

Holding a PhD from the Sorbonne Paris Nord University in France, his thesis focuses on the transformations of cultural industries into creative industries, with a particular emphasis on the in-depth study of media arts. He is also a graduate of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Architecture at the Lebanese University in Beirut, the Higher School of Cinematographic Studies in Paris, as well as the National School of Fine Arts in Paris, after pursuing studies in new media arts at the School of Fine Arts at Carnegie Mellon University in the United States.

Interior architect by formation but researcher and entrepreneur by nature, Johan Eid has been teaching at École de Condé (Paris) and currently teaches at the Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts in Interior Architecture and Design.

After obtaining his master's degree, he had the opportunity to collaborate with significant architecture firms in Lebanon and France. His design and architecture projects naturally led him to be on the lookout for new technologies and materials, directly leading him onto the path of global research.

His passion for innovation and his willingness to explore new horizons then led him to take a keen interest in artificial intelligence, a field he considers crucial for the future of Architecture and Design.
As a teacher, he strives to transmit this passion to his students, encouraging them to push the boundaries of creativity and technology.

Johan is also a staunch advocate for the environment, integrating sustainability principles into his projects and encouraging the use of eco-friendly materials.

Born in Beirut, Lebanon (1977), Samer Henri Eid studied architecture at the Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts (ALBA) [Awarded the 'Chadirji Prize' in 2001].

Architect since 2002, he established his own professional practice, "Search." He has participated in several competitions and won numerous awards, thus developing a growing reputation with a wide range of unconventional projects.

The architectural "hybrids" of "Search" have been widely published [Awarded the 'World Architecture Community Prize' in 2008].

Gaby Issa-El-Khoury, PhD, OLY, is an Associate Professor at the School of Architecture at the Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts, University of Balamand.

A graduate of ALBA in architecture, Gaby Issa-El-Khoury earned his Master's in Civil Engineering from the Centre des Hautes Etudes de la Construction (C.H.E.C.), specializing in the Centre des Hautes Etudes de Béton Armé et Béton Précontraint (C.H.E.B.A.P.), in Paris, France. He conducted research on instability in a curved metal beam at The Pennsylvania State University, Pennsylvania, USA, and earned his Ph.D. in Architectural Engineering.

In addition to teaching structural courses, Gaby Issa-El-Khoury supervises the structural aspects of construction projects at the Master's and diploma levels.

His research interests include Steel Structures, structural elements in Steel, instability of structural members, and the application of the human body to architecture.

Gaby Issa-El-Khoury is also a passionate advocate for Lebanese athletics. As a certified coach by the International, French, and American federations, he oversees several teams, including the Lebanese army selection. He has developed a comprehensive database on Lebanese athletics and works on statistics and results of Lebanese athletes.

Kabalan Samaha is an instructor and coordinator of the Graphic Arts and Advertising (Multimedia) Section at the School of Decorative Arts at the Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts (ALBA, University of Balamand).

He graduated in advertising from ALBA and holds a master's degree in artistic direction and graphic design from ISCOM (Higher School of Communication and Advertising) in Paris.

In his role as Partner and Art Director of a digital agency, he has overseen the design and implementation of several remarkable digital and interactive projects. His expertise has been particularly evident in pioneering projects involving 3D mapping, artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality, immersive digital installations, and other technological advancements.

Today, he dedicates his energy to research and innovation in the field of new media and emerging technologies. His passion for pushing creative boundaries guides him in exploring avant-garde concepts and creating unprecedented interactive experiences, merging art and technology in the constantly evolving digital world.

Zareh Sarabian is the Director of the Design Section at the School of Decorative Arts at the Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts (ALBA, University of Balamand).