When Lebanese filmmaker and creative director Joseph Hanna (Instagram) released No Limits, it wasn’t just another short film about fashion, it was a statement. The project, which recently won Best Story at London Fashion Film Festival, captures his personal philosophy that creativity, like life, knows no boundaries. Set against the streets of Tripoli, the film blends realism and refinement, mirroring the duality of Hanna’s creative world.
“The idea came from my own perspective and belief that in fashion, and in life, there are truly no limits,” Hanna says. “Fashion, to me, is a powerful form of expression. It’s about breaking boundaries and redefining what’s possible. I wanted to show how far creativity can go when you think freely and without fear, which is how No Limits was born.”
The film’s energy is rooted in the streets that shaped him. Rather than working within a controlled studio environment, Hanna chose the unpredictability of real life. “It wasn’t one specific person who inspired me, it came from observing the people around me,” he explains. “In our culture, people love to express themselves through fashion and presence. I was inspired by that energy, and also by the limits people try to place on creativity. I wanted to prove that those limits are illusions.”
That sense of defiance pulses through the film’s visual language. Hanna and his cinematographer built a world that feels at once spontaneous and composed, streetwise yet cinematic. “I wanted a mix of raw emotion and refined elegance,” he says. “We shot in the streets of Tripoli to capture real reactions and authentic energy, but we paired that with strong cinematic framing and fashion aesthetics. The beauty of imperfection and the grace of precision, that’s what No Limits is about.”
Shooting in public spaces presented its challenges, but those same challenges became the heart of the film. “Every scene had its difficulties because we were filming in real locations, surrounded by people reacting naturally,” Hanna recalls. “But that unpredictability became the soul of the film. The kindness and curiosity of the people in Tripoli gave us beautiful, spontaneous moments. We didn’t control everything, we let life happen, and that made it work perfectly.”
The title, No Limits, holds both artistic and personal significance. “The message is simple: there are no limits,” he reflects. “I want people to be free, to express themselves, to dream, to create without fear. No Limits isn’t just about fashion; it’s about life. It’s about proving that even in a city or environment where people tell you something is impossible, you can still do it if you believe in yourself.”
When the film was recognized on an international stage, it marked a powerful moment in Hanna’s journey. “Taking a story born in the streets of Tripoli and seeing it celebrated on a stage in London was a moment of pride,” he says. “It wasn’t just about me, it was about Lebanon, about showing that creativity from our country can reach anywhere. Personally, it reminded me why I do what I do. Professionally, it gave me confidence that authentic stories always resonate.”
Before No Limits, Hanna had already earned attention for his poetic short Yeprem: The Spark of a Legacy, a collaboration that reimagined a jewellery brand’s story as a universal tale of love, heritage, and perseverance. “When I first heard Yeprem’s story, it was meant to be a documentary,” he says. “But I saw something more, something deeply human. I wanted to turn it into an emotional film that anyone could relate to. It’s about legacy, love, and perseverance, values that speak to everyone, everywhere.”
Hanna’s approach to direction is rooted in emotion rather than control. “For me, it’s about truth,” he explains. “The beauty comes from the honesty of the moment. I don’t chase perfection, I chase feeling. I merge what’s real with what’s imagined, so the viewer feels both inspired and connected.”
His work often revolves around transformation, a recurring theme that he describes as the essence of life itself. “Every person, every dream, every success is born from change,” he says. “I’m fascinated by how people evolve, how the past shapes the future. Transformation is the bridge between who we were and who we become.”
As a Lebanese filmmaker, Hanna feels both grounded and liberated by his roots. “My Lebanese background gives my stories depth, emotion, and authenticity,” he says. “Lebanon is full of contrasts, beauty and chaos, joy and struggle, and that mix defines my creative language. It’s what gives my films soul.”
Despite Lebanon’s challenging creative landscape, Hanna remains hopeful. “Lebanese people don’t know how to give up, and that’s our greatest strength,” he says with conviction. “Despite the challenges, there’s so much passion and talent here. We create from nothing, and that’s what makes our art powerful.”
Looking ahead, Hanna is ready for the next chapter. “My next step is to move into feature films, in my own way, with my own language and identity,” he reveals. “A story that has lived inside me for years, something emotional, visual, and deeply human.”
For Hanna, filmmaking is not just a profession, it’s a form of healing. “For me, filmmaking is therapy. It’s how I express who I am,” he says. “Awards and recognition give energy, but the real drive comes from within, from the need to express something true.”
And as he continues to explore new creative frontiers, the philosophy that started it all remains the same. “No Limits means believing in myself more than ever, proving that life truly has no limits,” he says, smiling. “It’s about freedom, pride, and the courage to dream.”
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