CAIRO – 14 August 2020: Four prominent films will screen at the first edition of Amman International Film Festival (August 23-31).

The films include the three feature films: Between Heaven and Earth byNajwa Najjar, Abou Leila by Amin Sidi-Boumedine, andHaifa Street by Mohanad Hayal, and the short film Adam byMohammed Al-Muradi.

Organized under the umbrella of the Royal Film Commission –Jordan (RFC), the Amman International Film Festival (AIFF) is Jordan’s first international film festival that showcases Arab and international films. The distinctive edge of this Festival lies in the recognition of various talents involved in the making of a film: direction, scriptwriting, editing, photography and acting. The competitive section is reserved to Arab filmmakers and a non-competitive international section will showcase debut films from all over the world. The Festival also offers master classes, seminars, pitching sessions and discussions with directors and film stars.

About Haifa Street

Set in Baghdad in 2006, Haifa Street is one of the most dangerous places suffering from the civil war and violence that has plagued the city. When Ahmed is dropped off there by a taxi on his way to his beloved Suad‘s house to ask for her hand in marriage, he gets shot by Salam, an anxious young sniper who is living his own personal hell on a rooftop above. Suaddesperately tries to save Ahmed, but Salam prevents anyone from approaching him under the threat of gunfire. When her daughter Nadia elicits the help of their cunning neighbor, Dalal, all hell breaks loose under the ominous presence of the American occupation.

Directed by Mohanad Hayal, who co-wrote it with HalaAlsalman, Haifa Street stars Asad Abdulmajeed, Ali Thamer, Yumna Marwan, and Iman Abdulhassan, and produced by Sumerian Dream Productions (Ali Raheem). Wide Management handles the film’s worldwide distribution, while MAD Solutions handles its distribution and marketing across the Arab world.

Screening Time: Tuesday, August 25, 08:30 PM (GMT +3)

About Between Heaven and Earth

Based on a true story, the film follows Salma and Tamer, a thirty-something couple who have been married for the past five years, and live in the Palestinian Territory. The first time Tameris ever given a three-day permit to cross the Israeli checkpoint, is to file for divorce in the courts in Nazareth. At the courthouse, they are confronted with a staggering discovery, a secret which sends Salma and Tamer spinning on a road trip exploring the loss and betrayal of the past, and of themselves.

Written and directed by Palestinian director Najwa Najjar, Between Heaven and Earth is produced by Ustura Films, in coproduction with Luxemburg’s Paul Thiltges Distributionsand Iceland’s Oktober Films. MAD Solutions handles the film’s distribution across the Arab world.

Screening Time: Wednesday, August 26, 08:30 PM

About Abou Leila

Algeria, 1994. S. and Lotfi, two friends from childhood, travel through the desert looking for Abou Leila, a dangerous terrorist on the run. Their quest seems absurd, given that the Sahara has not been affected by the wave of attacks. Lofti has only one priority: to keep S. as far from the capital as possible, knowing his friend is too fragile to face more bloodshed. But the closest they get into the desert, the more they will be confronted with their own violence.

Written and directed by Amin Sidi-Boumedine, Abou Leila stars Slimane Benouari, Lyes Salem, and Azouz Abdelkader. The film is distributed by MAD Solutions in the Arab world.

Screening Time: Saturday, August 29, 08:00 PM

About Adam

A little boy named Adam tries to convince his friend that his father is not a liar. The film won the Bronze Award at the Damascus Cinema Days in Syria and the Special Jury Awardat the Youth Cinema and Short Films Festival in Syria.

Written and directed by Mohammed Al-Muradi, Adam stars, Hasan Al-kurdi, Hashem Khaddour, and Kifah Alkhous. The film is distributed in the Arab world by MAD Solutions.

Screening Time: Tuesday, August 25, 08:00 PM