Q&A with Reem Chalak: Meet The Snap’s Middle East Cultural Lensathon Winners
Augmented Reality knows few limits, and the AR Community proves it time and again. For the Middle East Cultural Lensathon, AR Creators from across the MENA region were challenged to reimagine their history, customs, and heritage, and bring them to life for Snapchatters around the world. The results were inspiring, showcasing creativity, storytelling, and cultural pride in every submission.
Each AR Creator brings a unique perspective, personal story, and creative approach to their work. Reem Chalak’s Heart of Lebanon Lens stands out for its immersive storytelling, combining diverse features to honour Lebanon’s history.
We love sharing the journeys of AR Creators with the Community, and today we’re excited to celebrate Reem’s achievement, her creative vision, and the impact of her Lens on Snapchatters everywhere.
📸 About the Lens:
Heart of Lebanon is a World AR Effect that brings the country’s heritage to life through powerful national symbols. Users experience the Cedars of God rising with beams of light, accompanied by the Lebanese national anthem, and a phoenix soaring through red smoke to form the Lebanese flag.
The effect combines music, motion, and cultural iconography to celebrate Lebanon’s history, identity, and resilience.
Please introduce yourself!
Hello! My name is Reem, and I’m from Lebanon. I started creating AR effects in 2022. I have a technical and creative background in computer science, and I worked in web and mobile development before discovering AR. Since then, I’ve specialized in XR development, combining my technical skills with creative storytelling.
What inspired your winning Lens?
Heart of Lebanon is an effect that evokes the soul of Lebanon’s Cedar Trees. أرزات لبنان) Cedars of God) rise from the heartquake — the Heart of Lebanon — symbolizing power, strength, and the ability to rise and grow again, like rising back from the ashes. ✨
Radiant God Rays shine through, giving a sense of solitude and timelessness. 🐦 🔥 The Phoenix soars through red smoke, representing both the mythical Phoenicians and the resilience of the Lebanese people. The smoke forms the Lebanese flag, with the cedar standing proudly at its center — a symbol of hope, strength, and renewal.
What technical challenges did you face, and how did you solve them?
One of the main technical challenges I faced was crafting a realistic cedar tree, which is quite intricate and symbolic. I was unsure if I could get it done in time, but I managed to do so with a bit of help from AI for certain details.
Another technical aspect was working on the UV projection for the earthquake effect and ensuring that the floor mapped correctly as it cracked. Putting all these elements together definitely pushed my skills, but the final outcome was incredibly rewarding!
How would you describe the style of your Lenses, and what do you focus on in your AR Work?
My Lens style is pretty much a reflection of my mood and whatever pops into my mind at the moment. I love to keep things fresh and explore new ideas, so there’s no fixed style. It’s all about creativity and having fun with it!
What’s the best part of being in the Lens Creator Community?
The best part of being in the Lens creator community is that it feels like home. I really feel like I belong there, and I’ve met a lot of great people. Plus, Lens Studio has helped a lot with bringing technical ideas to life easily, and it feels like a place where everyone can shine and grow. It’s that sense of belonging and the drive to keep going that makes it so special.
What are your next plans with Lens Studio – any upcoming projects or features you’re excited to try?
My next plans with Lens Studio are all about diving into Bitmoji ideas, because I’m absolutely obsessed with them and have so many concepts I want to bring to life. On top of that, I’m excited to explore the potential of the spectacles even more, especially by leveraging AI. I can’t wait to experiment with these new features and see how they can enhance my AR projects!
Reem Chalak’s journey with Heart of Lebanon highlights the creativity, technical skill, and cultural storytelling that define the MENA AR Creator community. From crafting intricate visuals to blending symbolism with immersive motion and sound, her work demonstrates the limitless possibilities of AR.
Congratulations to Reem for winning third place in the Middle East Cultural Lensathon, and a huge thank you for sharing your thoughts and plans with us! 🫶
We can’t wait to see how her future projects will inspire Snapchatters worldwide and continue to bring heritage and imagination to life.👏
👉See the full list of Middle East Cultural Lensathon winners here.
Looking for more inspiration and ways to monetize your AR projects? 👀 Visit our Challenges Page to discover exciting opportunities and showcase your creativity.
