Fourth Amman International Film Festival opens with Gaza comedy and folk rock
August 21, 2023
Winning Films Announced at the 4th Edition of the Amman International Film Festival
August 23, 2023
Amman, 21 August 2023 – Over the course of six days, the Amman Film Industry Days (AFID), the industrial arm of the Amman International Film Festival – Awal Film (AIFF) held a series of events that included masterclasses, seminars and discussions with directors and film professionals, as well as one-on-one meetings during the Amman Projects Market.
In its 4th edition, the AIFF continues to make a significant contribution to the projects that are still in progress, paving the way for filmmakers to complete their films. 120 Arab projects were submitted out of which 16, in development or post-production, were selected to compete in the AFID’s pitching platforms. One of the platforms was dedicated to Jordanian projects in development.
“Every year we plan the organic growth for Amman Film Industry days to keep matching our ambitions and dreams. Participants at AFID got the chance to share experiences and exchange ideas through the various activities organised within these days. We will continue growing with the same focus making a Festival for the industry,” said Bassam Alasad, Head of the Amman Film Industry Days.
The competing filmmakers presented their projects to an independent Jury in the presence of a group of film professionals. The AFID’s Jury consisted of: the producer Rula Nasser; Angeliki Vergou, Head of Industry at Thessaloniki Film Festival; the producer Karim Aitouna; the director of Tripoli Film Festival, Elias Khlat, and the director Mehdi Hmili. 12 in-kind and cash prizes were awarded, in addition to seven awards handed out by Market’s partners.
The AIFF is grateful to local and international partners who are supporting the filmmakers; the following projects were awarded:
Projects in Development:
Malmo Arab Film Festival: Invitation to attend MAFF Industry Days 2024 for a Jordanian film in development.
“Idols in the City”, Directed by Karim Jawad Ariqat, Produced by Leen Hamarneh (Jordan)
Slate Productions: In-kind award for lighting and grip equipment rental services for a Jordanian film in development with the value of $15,000.
“Soon We Will All Be History Here”, Directed by Said Taji Farouki and produced by Maria Caruana Galizia and May Odeh (Jordan)
NAAS Network: In-kind award for distribution and marketing strategy consultancy and a spot for the awarded emerging producer in the upcoming Beirut Locarno Academy.
“Madness and Honey Days”, Directed by Ahmed Yassin Al Daradji and Produced by Maytham Jbara (Iraq)
Amman International Film Festival – Awal Film: Cash award for a film in development with the value of $5,000
“Let’s Play Soldiers”, Directed by Mariam Al-Dhubhani, Produced by Mohammed Al-Jaberi (Yemen)
Creative Media Solutions: In-kind award for packaging services for a documentary film in development with the value of $10,000.
“Waiting For Geddo”, Directed by Kawthar Younes and produced by Ahmed Amer (Egypt)
IEFTA: Cash award for a film in development with the value of €5,000
“Amara”, Directed by Michelle Keserwany (Lebanon)
Lagoonie Film Production: Cash award for a film in the development or post-production phase with the value of $5,000.
“Evacuation of Petra”, Directed by Yazan Melhem, Produced by Mohammad Ali Al Nablsea (Jordan)
Projects in Post-Production:
Film Lab Palestine: In-kind award for coloring services for a documentary film in post-production with the value of $15,000.
“The Silence of the Plain”, Directed by Zeina Sfeir and Produced by The Zarazir Brothers. (Lebanon)
Unison Studio: In-kind award for sound design and mixing for a film in post-production with the value of $13,000
“The Last Projectionist”, Directed by Alex Bakri and Produced by May Odeh and Thomas Kaske (Palestine)
In-kind award for sound design and surround mixing for a film in post-production with the value of $11,000 by Daniel Massadeh
“Cinema Kawakeb”, Directed by Mahmoud Al Massad and Produced by Omar Al Massad (Jordan)
Jordan Pioneers: In-kind award for post-production services for a film in the post-production phase with the value of $10,000.
“Cinema Kawakeb”, Directed by Mahmoud Al Massad and Produced by Omar Al Massad (Jordan)
The Royal Film Commission – Jordan: Cash award for a film in post-production with the value of $5,000.
“The Silence of the Plain”, Directed by Zeina Sfeir and Produced by The Zarazir Brothers (Lebanon)
Amman Projects Market:
In-kind consultation award for a narrative film in the development stage by Alexandra Viets.
“Idols in the City” Directed by Karim Jawad Ariqat, Produced by Leen Hamarneh (Jordan)
“Framed”, Directed by Amer Halasa (Jordan)
MAD Solutions: Minimum guarantee in exchange for the distribution and sales rights in the Arab world worth $20,000.
“Soon We Will All Be History Here”, Directed by Said Taji Farouki and produced by Maria Caruana Galizia and May Odeh (Jordan)
Cinewaves: In-kind marketing and distribution award for a film in post-production with the value of $10,000.
“The Last Projectionist”, Directed by Alex Bakri and Produced by May Odeh and Thomas Kaske (Palestine)
Rowad Media: In-kind award for distribution services for a film in post-production with the value of $10,000.
“Amara”, Directed by Michelle Keserwany (Lebanon)
Maskoon Fantastic Film Festival: In-kind award of a narrative film to participate in Maskoon Fantastic Lab in the Spring of 2024.
“Idols in the City”, Directed by Karim Jawad Ariqat, Produced by Leen Hamarneh (Jordan)
The Imaginarium Films: Cash award for a film in development with the value of 5,000 JOD.
“Idols in the City”, Directed by Karim Jawad Ariqat, Produced by Leen Hamarneh (Jordan)
ART: Cash award for a narrative film in development with the value of $10,000.
“Amara”, Directed by Michelle Keserwany (Lebanon)
Tickets can be purchased online through: https://booking.aiff.jo/festival-films/ and at two selling points: TAJ Cinemas from 2:30 – 10 PM, and the Film Library of The Royal Film Commission – Jordan from 2:30 – 8 PM; at reasonable prices accessible to the public.
The screenings will take place at: Taj Cinemas, The Royal Film Commission, Rainbow Theater and the Drive-in Theater in Abdali; for the full screenings schedule: https://bit.ly/3RDSny6.
The Festival is made possible with the support of long-standing partners: Jordan Tourism Board, The Royal Film Commission – Jordan, Abdali Investment and Development, Zain Jordan, Royal Jordanian, Edgo, Ghiath & Nadia Sukhtian Foundation, Jordan Kuwait Bank, Capital Bank, Greater Amman Municipality, HUE, Al-Markazia – Lexus, TAJ Cinemas.
For all information visit our website www.aiff.jo or call +962792222011.
For inquiries about Arab and International competitions email us at info@aiff.jo.
For questions on the Amman Film Industry Days email us at afid@aiff.jo.
