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Jordan News
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Jordan News
Amman International Film Festival Launches 6th Edition under the Slogan "A World Beyond the Script" - Jordan News
The Amman International Film Festival (AIFF) kicked off its sixth edition on Wednesday evening under the thought-provoking theme 'A World Beyond the Script', in the presence of Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, Chairman of the Royal Film Commission, along with Princess Rym Ali, Princess Jalila bint Ali, and Prince Abdullah bin Ali. The opening also welcomed a host of film stars and creators, including Saba Mubarak, Georges Khabbaz, Diamond Bou Abboud, Yousry Nasrallah, Rashid Masharawi, and Tara Abboud, along with several cast members of the hit series AlRawabi School for Girls, and international filmmakers from around the world. اضافة اعلان In her opening remarks, Princess Rym Ali, President of the Festival, explained that this year's slogan symbolizes 'a world that has turned its back on diplomacy and dialogue, where humanitarian principles and basic decency have collapsed, and where madness and silence have become the new language.' She added: 'The filmmakers we selected are the ones capable of restoring sanity and direction to such a world.' Festival Grows Despite Regional Challenges In an interview with Zahrat Al Khaleej, Festival Director Nadi Doumani emphasized that the festival continues to grow each year, despite the challenges facing the region. She noted a number of firsts for this year's edition: Ireland was selected as the guest of honor, represented by acclaimed Irish director Jim Sheridan. A record number of Jordanian films (11) are participating in this year's competitions. For the first time, the festival included a dedicated section for web series. Select films were presented with sign language interpretation, expanding accessibility. Doumani highlighted that the festival remains committed to its core identity—'First Film'—focusing on debut works by directors, actors, or writers. While global cinema is part of the lineup, Arabic films remain a central focus. Opening Night Highlights The opening ceremony featured: A Cherkessian folkloric performance A live musical medley, including improvised vocal pieces by Jordanian singer Zein Awad Introduction of the jury panels The screening of the opening film, 'The Teacher' (Ma Baad) by Palestinian director Maha Haj The nine-day festival will showcase 62 Arab and international films, many making their world premiere, and some having already earned prestigious international awards. The event also includes panel discussions and workshops featuring global cinema professionals. The Amman International Film Festival continues to serve as a regional platform for emerging voices, celebrating creativity and innovation in storytelling.
Ammon
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Ammon
Amman Film Festival opens 6th edition under theme "A World Unscripted"
Ammon News - The sixth edition of the Amman International Film Festival - Awal Film (AIFF) opened Wednesday evening at the Hussein Cultural Center, launching nine days of screenings and events under the theme "A World Unscripted." The opening ceremony was held under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Rym Ali, President of the Festival, and attended by His Royal Highness Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, President of the Royal Film Commission. Also in attendance were Prince Abdullah bin Ali and Princess Jalila bint Ali, along with senior government officials, foreign diplomats, and guests from the regional and international film industries. In her opening address, Princess Rym said the festival's theme reflects a growing disconnect between global realities and traditional modes of communication. "This is the world we now live in, one that has turned its back on diplomacy, dialogue, and international norms," she said. "It is as if the world has chosen a different language, one of madness and silence." She told the audience that while "madness and silence" may define the current moment, they are not permanent states. "This world is not a train that cannot stop," she said. "You, the filmmakers we honor here, and you, the audiences who give meaning to these works, are the voices breaking the silence. You bring empathy to a world growing more callous, and stories to a world that desperately needs them." Princess Rym said the decision to hold this year's edition was a cultural stand against despair. "Stories do not stop destruction," she said, "but they return names and faces to the dead. They remind us that we are not only pain and war. We also live, love, hope, and create." She emphasized the festival's role in bringing together first-time films from the Arab world and beyond with local and regional audiences. She also acknowledged the efforts of His Majesty King Abdullah II in supporting Jordan's film industry and credited Prince Ali's vision in founding the Royal Film Commission, a key partner in launching and sustaining the festival. Princess Rym extended thanks to public and private sponsors, including the Jordan Tourism Board, Abdali Investment, Royal Jordanian Airlines, and Zain, along with individual Jordanian supporters who helped make the event possible. This year's edition features a focus on Irish cinema, represented by acclaimed filmmaker Jim Sheridan. The program also includes eleven Jordanian films, five Jordanian film projects in development, and six films produced in Gaza by local Palestinian filmmakers. The opening ceremony, hosted by actress Zein Awad and journalist Mohannad Al-Jazeera, included musical performances and traditional Circassian dance by the New Generation troupe. Sheridan addressed the audience, expressing his appreciation for participating in the festival and reflecting on his experience in drama and documentary filmmaking.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Jordan Seeks To Entice International Productions With Bolstered 45% Cash Rebate
Jordan's Royal Film Commission has boosted its cash rebate for international film and TV production to 45%, as part of a bolstered offering of film and TV production incentives, unveiled at the Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday The new package of incentives, which was approved by the Jordanian cabinet on Sunday, aims to support the local film industry at the same time as bolstering Jordan's position as a destination for international film and TV productions. More from Deadline Sweetened New York Production Incentives Take Stage At State Budget Hearing El Gouna Film Fest Unveils Palestinian, Lebanese, Jordanian & Egyptian Talents Selected For Inaugural Cinegouna Emerge Rising Stars Initiative Oscars: Jordan Selects Doc 'My Sweet Land' For International Feature Film Race With its world heritage sites such as Petra and stunning desert landscapes, which include Wadi Rum, Jordan has worked hard to establish itself as shooting destination over the past two decades with productions touching down in the territory including Denis Villeneuve's Dune and Dune 2, JJ Abrams' Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise Of Skywalker, and Guy Richie's Aladdin. Instability in the region, in the wake of the October 7, 2023 attacks on southern Israel and the resulting Israeli military campaign in Gaza, has dented the territory's popularity, even though a handful of ambitious regional productions have shot there since. The country is out in force at Cannes this year with a campaign to kick-start its international production business, and make it more competitive alongside other locations in the MENA region offering attractive incentives. The new package includes a scalable cash rebate ranging from 25% to 45% on qualifying in-country spend, determined by a points-based system assessing the project's size, incorporation of Jordanian cultural content, and its artistic, cultural, and economic value. Projects with production expenditures exceeding $10 million and integrating Jordanian cultural elements can qualify for the maximum rebate of 45%. For local productions, the rebate has been raised from 10% to 30% for projects with spending over $500,000—part of a broader effort to empower Jordanian producers and stimulate the domestic production industry. Mohannad Al-Bakri, Managing Director of the Royal Film Commission – Jordan, said of the new package: 'The amendments aim to enhance Jordan's competitiveness as a major film production hub in the region by creating a supportive environment that fosters creativity, provides robust infrastructure, and facilitates the exchange of expertise, training, and knowledge transfer. They also aim to boost film tourism by promoting filming locations and highlighting Jordanian cultural identity and heritage in global productions.' Best of Deadline Everything We Know About The 'Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping' Movie So Far TV Show Book Adaptations Arriving In 2025 So Far Book-To-Movie Adaptations Coming Out In 2025
Broadcast Pro
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Jordan raises film production rebate to 45% in bid to attract global shoots
Productions that spend over $10m and incorporate elements of Jordanian culture are eligible for the full 45% rebate. The Royal Film Commission of Jordan has increased its financial incentives for film and television productions, raising the upper limit of its cash rebate from 25% to 45%. The new scheme was officially unveiled at the Cannes Film Festival on May 14 and reflects Jordan's renewed commitment to attracting international productions and supporting its domestic film industry. Approved by the Jordanian cabinet on May 12, the revamped incentive package introduces a tiered rebate system ranging from 25% to 45%, determined by a points-based evaluation of each project. Criteria include the scale of production, the extent to which Jordanian cultural content is integrated, and the artistic, cultural and economic value of the project. Productions spending over $10m in-country and incorporating significant local elements are eligible for the maximum rebate. Jordan is also increasing support for local filmmakers. Rebates for domestic productions have been raised from 10% to 30% for projects with budgets exceeding $500,000, as part of a broader strategy to stimulate local production activity and empower Jordanian producers. The announcement comes as Jordan seeks to reassert itself as a premier shooting location in the Middle East, despite recent regional instability that has impacted the territory's appeal. The aftermath of the October 7, 2023, attacks and subsequent conflict in Gaza has led to hesitancy among some international filmmakers, though several regional projects have continued to film in the country. Known for its rich cinematic backdrops—including UNESCO World Heritage sites like Petra and the vast desert landscapes of Wadi Rum—Jordan has previously hosted major productions such as Dune and Dune: Part Two directed by Denis Villeneuve, Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker by JJ Abrams, and Guy Ritchie's Aladdin. This year, Jordan has launched a strong promotional campaign at Cannes to reinvigorate its film sector and position itself more competitively against other MENA countries offering attractive filming incentives. Speaking about the broader goals of the initiative, Mohannad Al-Bakri, Managing Director of the Royal Film Commission – Jordan, said: 'The amendments aim to enhance Jordan's competitiveness as a major film production hub in the region by creating a supportive environment that fosters creativity, provides robust infrastructure, and facilitates the exchange of expertise, training, and knowledge transfer. They also aim to boost film tourism by promoting filming locations and highlighting Jordanian cultural identity and heritage in global productions.'
