| Amman, Jordan – 15 August 2021 – The 2nd edition of Amman International Film Festival – Awal Film (AIFF), Jordan’s most important international film festival that highlights regional and international début works, announces the jurors for its different sections, who will be selecting the winners of the Black Iris Award in the three competitive categories: Best Arab Feature-Length Narrative, Best Arab Feature-Length Documentary and Best Arab Short. The Jury for the Arab Feature-Length Narrative consists of the acclaimed director, producer and scriptwriter, Samir, whose credits include “Forget Baghdad: Jews & Arabs – The Iraqi connection” (2002), the “Iraqi Odyssey” (2015), which was officially selected to represent Switzerland the 88th Academy Awards, as well as well his latest award-winning film “Baghdad in my Shadow” (2019). Joining Samir is the writer and director, Csaba Bollók, who is best known for his acclaimed film “Iszka’s Journey” (2007) selected to represent Hungary in the 81st Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film. Finally, Khaled Haddad, producer of multiple TV and film productions with over 30 years of experience, will also be part the jury. The Arab Feature-Length Documentary Film jury includes the renowned documentary filmmaker Mai Masri whose first narrative “3000 Nights” (2015) was the official submission of Jordan for the ‘Best Foreign Language Film’ category of the 89th Academy Awards in 2017. She is joined by the French novelist, documentary filmmaker, and script doctor and consultant Caroline Pochon and Award winning editor, Elias Chahine, with over two decades of working experience on over 65 films. The Arab Short Film jury, includes Jérôme Paillard, the Executive Director of the Marché du Film at Cannes, the industrial arm of the Cannes Film Festival. He will be joined by professional actress and performance expert Anaheed Fayyad, known for the popular Syrian TV series “Bab Al Hara” (2006-2017) and filmmaker and film professor Fadi Haddad, whose début Jordanian film “When Monaliza Smiled” (2012) screened in festivals around the world. The winners of each section will be announced at the AIFF Closing Ceremony on 31 August 2021 and will receive cash prize awards – US $20,000 USD for Best Arab Feature Narrative; US $15,000 for Best Arab Feature Documentary; and US $5,000 for Best Arab Short. This comes in addition to the Black Iris trophy, designed by the late Jordanian artist Mohanna Durra, a pioneer of the Jordanian Arts movement. The audience attending the AIFF, will be voting for the best film in the International Section, which will also receive US $5,000. Moreover, the Amman Film Industry Days (AFID) will have its own jury to award projects selected to AFID’s pitching platforms, in both development and post-production categories. The AFID’s Jury consists of the film expert Layaly Badr; producer Kayvan Mashayekh; documentary filmmaker Mariam Shahin; filmmaker Ameen Nayfeh; the film and culture expert, Abdallah Shami. AFID’s Award Announcement will take place on 30 August 2020. The Festival is following closely the rules and regulations by the Jordanian government to ensure safety for the guests and audience. Photos of the Arab Feature-Length Narrative Jury: Samir, Csaba Bollók, and Khaled Haddad. Photos of the Arab Feature-Length Documentary Jury: Mai Masri, Elias Chahine and Caroline Pochon. Photos of the Arab Short Narrative Jury: Jérôme Paillard, Anaheed Fayyad and Fadi Haddad. Photos of the Amman Film Industry Days Jury: Layaly Badr, Kayvan Mashayekh, Mariam Shahin, Ameen Nayfeh and Abdallah Shami. |
| For further information about the Amman International Film Festival – Awal Film (AIFF), including all of our social media platforms and contact information please click here or visit our website, or call Rick W. Hindi at +962792222011. For information regarding the Amman Film Industry Days (AFID), click here. Partners of the AIFF: Jordan Tourism Board; Royal Film Commission-Jordan; Abdali Investment and Development; Zain; Royal Jordanian; Pikasso Jordan; Ghiath & Nadia Sukhtian Foundation; Edgo; Greater Amman Municipality; Bank al Etihad; TAJ Cinema. Partners of AFID: Acousmatic Film Sound, SAE Institute, Slate Film Services, MAD Solutions, Creative Media Solutions, Malmö Arab Film Festival, Greener Screen, Where to Film Location Scout & Management, Rum Pictures, Jordan Pioneers Multimedia Co., Gruvi, TaleBox |
