Amman Film Industry Days Announces Selected Projects for its Pitching Platforms

Amman, 9^th June 2024 
The Amman International Film Festival – Awal Film (AIFF) is delighted to announce the selected projects for the three pitching platforms of the Amman Film Industry Days (AFID). This year, AFID continues its mission to support and shoulder filmmakers from Jordan and the broader Arab region, providing invaluable opportunities for growth and collaboration.

The Amman Film Industry Days (AFID) received some 100 projects this year, attracting a substantial number of submissions from filmmakers across the Arab region. Submissions were made in three categories: Development (open to all Arab filmmakers), Post-Production (open to all Arab filmmakers), and Development – Awal Film (specifically targeting Jordanians and Arabs residing in Jordan, working on their first feature-length project). After an intensive review by industry experts, a selection of outstanding projects has been made, 16 projects were selected from eight different Arab countries.

‏”Every year, the quality of the submitted projects improves, making the selection process increasingly difficult, especially when voices and backgrounds are so diverse. We wish we could select more projects; but like in all festivals, only a limited number can be accommodated,” said Bassam Alasad, Head of Industry at the AIFF. “The selection process depends on several factors, mainly the evaluation of the originality and creativity of the idea, as well as the diversity in topics and their impact. This year, for the first time, the largest share went to documentary films due to the exceptional quality of the submissions received. The Jury will then select the winners on the 9^th of July, and we are proud to offer during this edition even more awards than in the previous ones.”

Selected Projects:Development (Arab projects):

1. A House For Expats (Narrative – Egypt)
– Directed by: Naji Ismail
– Produced by: Omar Manjouneh
2. Al-Madeeneh 2008 (Narrative – Yemen)
– Directed by: Yousef Assabahi
– Produced by: Ala’a Amer
3. American Dream (Doc – Egypt/Saudi Arabia)
– Directed by: Amir El-Shenawy
– Produced by: Ahmed Abdelsalam
4. Dwellers of the Cabins (Doc – Egypt/Qatar)
– Directed by: Hind Bakr
– Produced by: Tamer Nady, Hind Bakr
5. Let’s Wait and See (Narrative – Palestine/Denmark/UK)
– Directed by: Mahdi Fleifel
– Produced by: Geoff Arbourne
6. My Mother & I (Doc – Iraq/Egypt/Qatar)
– Directed by: Dilpak Majeed
– Produced by: Marwa Tammam
7. Yumna (Narrative – Jordan) 
– Directed by: Yahya Alabdallah
– Produced by: Huda Al-Kadhimi & Muna Al-Kadhimi

Post-Production (Arab projects):
1. 50 Meters (Doc – Egypt)
– Directed by: Yomna Khattab 
– Produced by: Ahmed Amer, Patricia Drati
2. Donkey Boys (Doc – Palestine)
– Directed by: Ahmad Al Bazz
– Produced by: Ameen Nayfeh
3. Seeking Haven For Mr. Rambo (Narrative – Egypt/Saudi Arabia)
– Directed by: Khaled Mansour
– Produced by: Rasha Hosny, Mohamed Hefzy
4. Son of the Streets (Doc – Palestine/Poland/Qatar)
– Directed by: Mohammed Almughanni
– Produced by: Glib Lukianets
5. The Nablus Runner (Doc – Algeria/France/Italy)
– Directed by: Haïcha Ladrouz
– Produced by: Rachid Bouchareb

Development – Awal Film (First-Timers in Jordan):
1. Amal (Doc)

– Directed by: Khaled Sweidan – Produced by: Rahmeh Al-Shammas
2.In Between Woes (Doc)
– Directed by: Leen Ghassan
– Produced by: Lina Khaled
3. Searching for Fareed (Doc)
– Directed by: Yazan Taiseer
– Produced by: Noor Arafeh
4. Scent of The Dead (Narrative)
– Directed by: Mohammad Khabour
– Produced by: Hadeel Lawi

A jury made up of five cinema professionals from Jordan, the region and beyond, will select the winning projects and grant them valuable cash and in-kind awards, following a pitching session. For more information, view the AFID Jury.
The AFID, the industrial arm of the AIFF, will run from the 4th until the 9th of July, coinciding with the AIFF which takes place from the 3rd to the 11th of July. The AFID is also running The Amman Film Market, a dedicated space to connect filmmakers with potential funders, partners and distributors, and which will once again serve as a launchpad for these projects. 

Register now for our rich and varied program of workshops and panels! Click here for AFID and here for AFID+ accreditations. Detailed schedules will be announced next week. 

The Festival is made possible with the support of long-standing partners, among which: Jordan Tourism Board, The Royal Film Commission – Jordan, Abdali Investment and Development, Zain Jordan, Royal Jordanian, Edgo, SAE Institute, Ghiath & Nadia Sukhtian Foundation, Greater Amman Municipality, HUE, TAJ Cinemas, Jordan Kuwait Bank.

For all information visit our website www.aiff.jo or email us at: info@aiff.jo or call us at +962792222011.