Bashar Shbib, also known as Bachar Chbib, began his filmmaking career in 1982 at Concordia University, where he produced award-winning docudramas Or'D'uR and Betsy. He has since produced over 40 feature films and 10 short subjects, and has won numerous awards at various film festivals and competitions.
Born in Damascus in 1959 to a German mother and a Syrian father, Shbib emigrated to Canada at a young age and grew up on a Charolais beef ranch in the Eastern Townships of Quebec. He initially intended to pursue a career in science, but after graduating from McGill University with a degree in Microbiology and Immunology, he changed his plans and attended Concordia University, where he earned a degree in Film Production.
Shbib has been influenced by a range of filmmakers, including Paradjanov, Fassbinder, Pasolini, Deren, Tarkovski, and Fellini. He has also been known to stir up controversy, and has organized public demonstrations and protests to support independent filmmakers and alternative film financing.
After becoming frustrated with the bureaucracy involved in making films in Canada, Shbib moved to the American west coast, where he began producing films in his own unique style. He has also been a painter of abstract art since 1974, and has sold over 600 works.
Shbib has produced a range of films, including romantic comedies, dramas, and thrillers. His films have been praised for their unique blend of humor and social commentary, and have been screened at numerous film festivals around the world.
In addition to his work as a filmmaker, Shbib is also a passionate advocate for independent filmmakers and alternative film financing. He has organized numerous events and campaigns to support these causes, and has been a vocal critic of the commercialization of the film industry.
Shbib is currently producing a long-form documentary titled Border Town, which follows the lives of a small border town community in Quebec, and is also working on an eight-part miniseries titled Granite Forks, which explores the issue of human trafficking.
Throughout his career, Shbib has remained committed to his independence and his passion for filmmaking, and continues to produce films that are both critically acclaimed and commercially successful.
