Latest news with #AmmanInternationalFilmFestival–AwalFilm
Broadcast Pro
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Amman Int'l Film Festival opens with message of cultural resilience
One of the highlights of this year's program is 'Ground Zero+', a collection of five short documentaries filmed in Gaza amid the ongoing war. The sixth edition of the Amman International Film Festival – Awal Film (AIFF) kicked off in the presence of Princess Rym Ali, its President and co-Founder. It was also attended by Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein as well as a large audience including officials, A-list professionals, film lovers from Jordan, the region and beyond, all united by a shared passion for conveying cultural resilience through the art of motion picture. The sixth edition of the Amman International Film Festival – Awal Film (AIFF) has officially opened in Jordan, gathering an audience of officials, film professionals and cinema enthusiasts from across the region and the world. Princess Rym Ali, the Festival's President and co-founder, presided over the ceremony alongside Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, highlighting the event's growing significance as a platform for cultural expression and artistic solidarity. Running from 2 to 10 July 2025, this year's festival is dedicated to celebrating first-time achievements in filmmaking, reinforcing its mission to nurture emerging talent and amplify original cinematic voices. The programme features 62 Arab and international films, many making their world premieres and others having garnered acclaim at major festivals abroad. All the films are being screened in Jordan for the first time. The theme for this edition, 'A World Unscripted,' reflects a commitment to breaking away from conventional narrative frameworks, allowing filmmakers—especially those at the start of their careers—to present authentic, unfiltered stories. In her opening remarks, Princess Rym Ali referred to the theme 'A World Unscripted' as 'quite simply the world we live in. A world that has gone off-script. But the filmmakers we have in our selection are the ones who contribute to bring it back on track.' She reiterated the festival's role in providing a platform for stories that are often underrepresented, yet essential to the collective narrative of the Arab world, adding: 'We refuse to allow our culture to die, even as engines of death and destruction fly above our heads.' Acknowledging the ongoing genocide in Palestine and continued conflict across the region, the festival has again opted to forgo red carpet events and other celebrations out of solidarity and respect, while pressing forward with its cultural mission. The opening night, presented by singer Zain Awad and radio host Muhannad Al Jazerah, included a Circassian performance by Al Jeel Al Jadeed ensemble, introductions of jury members, and the screening of the Palestinian short film Upshot by Maha Haj, with actor Mohammad Bakri in attendance to represent the production. This year, Ireland has been named the Country of Honour, with filmmaker Jim Sheridan joining the ceremony. Reflecting on the purpose of storytelling, Sheridan remarked: 'Every time you are making a movie you are projecting a belief system, and to me that's the most important thing.' He added: 'Belief and truth are the things that are worth anything—that's why the Irish can't stop telling the truth.' Since its inception, AIFF has focused on supporting Arab and Jordanian filmmakers to help build a globally recognized Arab film industry. Its industry platform, Amman Film Industry Days (AFID), is returning with workshops, pitching sessions, and panels designed to assist projects in development and post-production. At its core, the Festival views cinema as a universal art form rooted in resilience, culture, and shared humanity, offering a space to tell and celebrate meaningful stories.
Broadcast Pro
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Amman International Film Festival unveils sixth edition lineup
The AIFF will present 23 regional premieres, including 16 films making their world premiere. The Amman International Film Festival – Awal Film (AIFF) has announced its official programme for its sixth edition, which will run from July 2 to 10, 2025, under the theme A World Unscripted. This year's selection brings together more than 60 films from 23 countries, highlighting daring, original storytelling and staying true to the festival's mission of celebrating first-time achievements. Screenings will take place across Taj Cinemas, The Royal Film Commission – Jordan, Rainbow Theatre in Amman, and other venues in Jordan's governorates. Among the entries are 23 regional premieres and 16 world premieres, including powerful works from Gaza that document the resilience and struggles of its people. To improve accessibility, the festival has incorporated sign language interpretation for selected films and will provide Arabic and English subtitles for most screenings. Additionally, three free public screenings outside the official competition will be held at Abdali Boulevard. Areeb Zuaiter, AIFF's Head of Programming, said: 'We turn to the seventh art to resist the narratives imposed upon us. In this upcoming edition, filmmakers pour their hearts into stories that defy distortion – stories that pulse with truth, complexity, creativity and courage. We are eager to bring these stories, both from our region and beyond, to the big screen and to make them accessible to the widest possible audience.' The festival features four competitive sections—Arab Feature-Length Narrative Films, Arab Feature Documentary Films, Arab Short Films, and Non-Arab Films—where professional juries will grant the Black Iris and Special Mention awards. Notable Arab narrative films include Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo (Egypt), To A Land Unknown (Palestine), and Thank You for Banking With Us! (Palestine). In the documentary category, highlights range from Abo Zaabal 89 (Egypt) to Tell Them About Us (Jordan). The short film lineup showcases a rich diversity of first-time directors from across the region. The non-Arab competition will present debuts such as Happyend (Japan), Armand (Norway) and All We Imagine as Light (India). Beyond competition, the festival will screen special selections including Under My Mother's Roof (Lebanon), UNRWA, 75 Years of a Provisory History (Switzerland), and several poignant works made in Gaza such as The Clown From Gaza and Very Small Dreams. Ireland has been named Country of Honour this year, with a dedicated programme of Irish cinema to be announced soon. The AIFF continues to collaborate with distributors to add further titles and expand its vibrant celebration of new cinematic voices.
Broadcast Pro
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Amman International Film Festival announces details of sixth edition
This year, the festival welcomes Ireland as Country of Honour, focusing on Irish cinema with a specific section dedicated to it. The Amman International Film Festival – Awal Film has announced the details of its sixth edition, set to take place from July 2 to July 10 in Jordan's capital. This year's theme, 'A World Unscripted,' celebrates the raw, unpredictable nature of storytelling that mirrors the unscripted nature of real life. Festival President Princess Rym Ali explained that the theme reflects a commitment to showcasing films that defy convention and embrace the authenticity of lived experience. 'This edition embraces the unpredictable and the deeply human in the midst of a volatile and rapidly changing world,' she stated. 'Life doesn't follow a script; and recent years have certainly been unscripted. So, in this edition, we pay tribute to storytellers who dare to explore and narrate moments that feel more lived than written.' The festival's official poster, designed by HUE Innovation & Design, captures this spirit with a visual style that introduces both a playful tone and a subtle message of hope, reinforcing the core message of spontaneity and resilience. This year also marks a significant milestone for the festival with the introduction of its first-ever 'Country of Honour.' Ireland has been selected for this role, with a dedicated spotlight on Irish cinema featured in the programme. Festival Director Nada Doumani highlighted the thematic synergy between Irish and Arab films, noting that both cultures use cinema to explore identity, resilience, and the path toward peace. She emphasised that within the framework of 'A World Unscripted,' Irish and Arab stories find common ground in their exploration of human experience. Doumani also pointed to Ireland's principled stance and strong support for Palestine and human rights, which further resonates with the region and the spirit of this year's edition. Irish Ambassador to Jordan, Marianne Bolger, added: 'I am exceptionally proud that Ireland has been selected as the Festival's first Country of Honour, and I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the President of the Festival and its organisers. Ireland has a long history in cinema and filmmaking, and we are delighted to work closely with the AIFF to bring a collection of Irish films to Jordan that will hopefully resonate with audiences. I believe each Irish film on display will speak, in its own way, to the theme of 'A World Unscripted', and I look forward to seeing how these movies are perceived by Jordanian viewers.'
Broadcast Pro
14-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Amman International Film Festival launches platform for web series
Web series produced in 2024 or 2025 are now eligible for submission, provided they include at least three episodes, each with a duration of 3 to 10 minutes. The Amman International Film Festival – Awal Film (AIFF) has announced a new programme titled The Spark Series (TSS), introduced under the umbrella of Amman Film Industry Days (AFID). Marking a regional first, TSS is dedicated to showcasing web series as a dynamic, accessible and cost-effective storytelling format across the Arab world. Over the course of two days, selected web series will be screened before an audience of filmmakers, producers, distributors and industry professionals, offering creators exposure and networking opportunities. The event will also feature discussions with international experts, focusing on the development and production of high-quality web content. TSS is curated by Muriel Aboulrouss, a trailblazing and cinematographer with over 25 years of experience in the region. Known for her work on acclaimed web series such as Emmy Award-winning Shankaboot and Ziyara, as well as feature films like Stray Bullet and Marcedes, Aboulrouss describes web series as 'not just a format, but a spark—it reveals your talent, your cinematic language, and your path as an artist.' Submissions are now open for web series produced in 2024 or 2025, with a minimum of three episodes lasting between 3 to 10 minutes each. Eligible directors must be of Arab nationality or background, and entries across all genres—including fiction, documentary, experimental and animation—are welcome. All submissions must include English subtitles and be accompanied by promotional materials such as a poster, stills, and a trailer. As the festival proclaims, 'This is where visibility begins. This is where stories ignite. This is where you spark!' Meanwhile, submissions for all other sections of AIFF have officially closed, with films and projects currently under review. The final selection is expected to be announced by early June.
