About the Festival

Jordan’s first international film festival that showcases Arab and international movies was long overdue. The Jordanian local film industry has begun to show what it can do, with talented directors winning international acclaim through features films in recent years.

What Jordan has arguably lacked was an exciting showcase for emerging Arab and Jordanian talent whose work is engaging a growing local and international audience. The Amman International Film Festival – Awal Film came as a major step towards filling that gap.

The aim, according to its president HRH Princess Rym Ali, is: “Developing and promoting an Arab cinema that reflects the creativity of the region and tackles the issues that are prevalent today.”

The distinctive edge of this Festival is its focus on first-timers. This is the first international film festival of this scale to focus entirely on first-time achievements in filmmaking. International juries select the Best Arab Feature-Length Narrative, Best Arab Feature-Length Documentary and Best Arab Short Film. Whereas the audiences choose their favourite international début film. All winning films receive cash awards as well as the Black Iris for their categories.

Moreover, the jurors may decide to grant an award to: first-time Lead Actor/Actress and/or first-time Scriptwriter in the Arab Feature-Length Narrative Competition; first-time Editor in the Arab Feature-Length Documentary Competition.

In addition to screenings, a programme of film industry events including master classes, seminars, pitching sessions and discussions with directors and film-stars is organised to stimulate aspiring filmmakers in Jordan and the region.

Amman International Film Festival – Awal Film aims to foster a creative buzz among directors, celebrities and film enthusiasts, by offering high-quality films, regardless of their box-office performance. Whether you are a budding Arab filmmaker or an international veteran, an actor or a critic, an industry insider or an enthusiastic consumer, Amman International Film Festival – Awal Film welcomes you!