Monika Borgmann

Monika Borgmann is a German-Lebanese filmmaker, journalist, and author. With a background in Arabic and Political Science, in 2001, Borgmann co-founded UMAM Productions with Lokman Slim, focusing on documentary filmmaking. Together, they directed the acclaimed documentary Massaker (2005), shedding light on the Sabra and Shatila massacre. The film received international recognition, including the Fipresci Prize at the 2005 Berlinale Film Festival. Recognizing the absence of a central archive and national library in Lebanon, Borgmann and Slim established UMAM Documentation and Research (UMAM D&R) in 2005, dedicated to preserving Lebanon's cultural heritage and history, particularly related to civil violence and the collective memory of the Lebanese civil war. Borgmann is also the author of Saïd Mekbel, une mort à la lettre (2008), based on interviews with the assassinated Algerian journalist Saïd Mekbel. Borgman’s contributions to documentary filmmaking and cultural preservation have made a significant impact, addressing Lebanon's history and social issues.