There's one word on everybody's lips: Shankabooooooot! If you haven't caught up with this revolutionary web series yet, then now is your chance. Rana Gebran reports.

Shankaboot is a collaboration between four organisations based in Beirut and London. In mid- 2009, the BBC World Service Trust teamed up with Batoota Films, Zico House and the Welded Tandem Picture Company to develop the project. The idea was to create a fresh and challenging drama for young Lebanese audiences; the vehicle was to be the Internet.
So what's it all about? Shankaboot, the web series, is a drama with a touch of comedy. It follows the story of three Lebanese youngsters - Suleiman, Ruwaida and Chadi - who are brought together by chance on the streets of Beirut. The series is sharp, funny and crammed with social observations, combined with a naturalistic shooting style and gripping storylines that drive the action forward.

The main character Suleiman is a 15-year-old street boy, who runs his delivery business from two mobile phones and his much-loved Shankaboot moped. During his adventures, he meets Ruwaida who becomes his companion. Ruwaida is beautiful and mysterious, but she's got serious issues. She's not the only one with secrets though. Chadi, Suleiman’s friend, is clearly a man of secrets too, haunted by events in his past and hiding something from everyone.
The cast are joined by other colourful characters, such as Abu Zuheir, the clueless concierge, Badr, the terrifying boss of an Internet café and more.

The aim of this series has been to exploit the Internet’s potential to facilitate interactivity and audience participation. Through Shankaboot’s bespoke, bi-lingual website users can communicate directly with the characters - proposing solutions to problems and helping to develop future storylines. Since the series began, Shankaboot's popularity has spiralled. Shankaboot has even become a common expression, most commonly pronounced 'shankabooooot!'.  
The first season consisted of 30 four-six minute episodes and was published on their website. Shankaboot’s audience will be largely responsible for shaping the second season.

Feel like having your say? Log on to www.shankaboot.com

Don't miss out on the launch party on June 12.