Films from Gaza in a World Premiere at the Amman International Film Festival

Amman, 17 April 2024

Amman International Film Festival – Awal Film will showcase a collection of 22 short films entirely shot in Gaza during the past few months amidst the ongoing war on the Strip.
The world premiere screening of a collection of narrative, documentary, experimental and video art films, entitled “From Ground Zero” will take place during the fifth edition of the Festival, scheduled from July 3 to 11 in the Jordanian capital, Amman. This initiative was launched by the helmet Palestinian director Rashid Masharawi, whose films have been featured in major Arab and international festivals and have won dozens of global awards. He supervised the project artistically and cinematically with the assistance of several professionals.

Masharawi stated: “One of the main goals of this initiative is to provide an opportunity for artists, youth and filmmakers in Gaza, professionals and beginners, to express themselves through art and convey untold stories, especially personal ones, in a manner that fulfills artistic and technical quality.” He emphasized that this project “restored self-confidence and a sense of initiative to its participants, helping them overcome despair and frustration, instilling in them some of the lost hope and optimism.”

It is worth mentioning that the Royal Film Commission – Jordan contributed to the funding of “From Ground Zero”, along with other partners.

The management of the Amman International Film Festival – First Film expressed its pride to showcase these films, which reflect the ability of young men and women to shoot, produce and edit movies that express their hopes and concerns in extremely challenging and unprecedented circumstances; hence reaffirming the resilience of the people of Gaza and their ability to create and love life despite the killings, destruction and displacement. This project is in line with the theme of the upcoming edition of the Festival, which will focus on the necessity of telling our own stories and reclaiming our own narratives. Hopefully, this world premiere screening will be a modest contribution to conveying the voices and realities of Gaza’s filmmakers to the world.

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.

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For questions on the Amman Film Industry Days email us at afid@aiff.jo.