Amman International Film Festival – Awal Film Announces The Jurors for Its 6th Edition
May 26, 2025
Amman, 2/6/2025 – As part of its ongoing commitment to supporting talent and fostering cinematic storytelling from the region, the Amman Film Industry Days (AFID), the professional arm of the Amman International Film Festival – Awal Film (AIFF), proudly announces the selection of 18 promising projects to take part in its competitive Pitching Platforms.
Taking place during the sixth edition of the AIFF, from 2nd to 10th July 2025, the Pitching Platforms provide a space for Arab filmmakers and producers to present and pitch their projects in development or post-production to a curated professional group of jury members and compete for both in-kind services and financial awards, which are made possible through the support of AFID partners and collaborators. This year’s jury consists of: Dora Bouchoucha (Tunisian producer), Joseph Bitamba (Burundian filmmaker), Eduardo Guillot (Spanish film programmer and film critic), Linda Mutawi (Jordanian producer) and Abdulaziz Al-Shlahei (Saudi director.
Following a competitive call that attracted 170 submissions, the final projects were chosen by a committee of industry experts for their originality, artistic vision and production potential. Commenting on this year’s selection, Bassam Alasad, Head of AFID, said: “This year, the selection process was incredibly difficult because the level of storytelling, vision and urgency across submissions was so high. Every project had a voice worth hearing. The Pitching Platforms continue to be a cornerstone of AFID, offering filmmakers not only the chance to win awards but, more importantly, to connect, evolve and be seen. We are proud to be a platform that embraces these narratives and amplifies the voices behind them.”
Development Projects – Awal Film (first feature film for Jordanians or residents in Jordan)
- From Temporary to Semi-Permanent (Jordan, Palestine) – Directed and produced by Bayan Abuta’ema
- Memoirs of Jerusalem (Jordan, UK) – Directed by Kinda Kurdi and produced by Kinda Kurdi & Brian Hill
- Six 2 One (Jordan) – Directed by Tamir Naber and produced by Ghassan Salti
- The Orange Grove (Jordan, Canada) – Directed by Murad Abu Eisheh and produced by Rula Nasser, Veronika Molnar & Roger Frapper
Development Projects – Arab Projects
- The Cow Thief (Egypt, Italy, KSA) – Directed by Mohamed Zedan and produced by Mark Lotfy
- The Sad Life of Happy Pig! (Lebanon, France) – Directed by Christy Whaibe and produced by Christelle Younes
- Ping-Pong (Palestine) – Directed by Saleh Saadi and produced by May Jabareen
- Printemps (Lebanon, France) – Directed by Noel Keserwany and produced by Noel & Michelle Keserwany
- Love-45 (Syria, Qatar, Switzerland, France, UK, Lebanon) – Directed by Anas Khalaf and produced by Marine Vaillant
- Alicante (Algeria, France, Spain) – Directed by Lina Soualem and produced by Omar El Kadi
- Like a Bird in The Sky (Egypt, Lebanon, Spain) – Directed by Amal Ramsis and produced by Amal Ramsis & Jana Wehbe
- The Masters of Magic and Beauty (Egypt) – Directed by Jad Chahine and produced by Baho Bakhsh & Safei Eldin Mahmoud
Post-Production Projects – Arab Projects
- Kobra (Lebanon) – Directed Daniel Habib and produced by Sarah Saab
- Amal (Jordan, Syria) – Directed by Khaled Ahmad Al Swidan and produced by Rahmeh Al-Shammas
- You Don’t Die Two Times (Algeria, Tunisia, Germany, France) – Directed by Ager Oueslati and produced by Raouf Oueslati, Thomas Kaske & Dhia Jerbi
- Testosterone (Morocco) – Directed and produced by Ali Benchekroune & Mohamed Bakrim
- All That The Wind Can Carry (Egypt, Qatar) – Directed by Maged Nader and produced by Tamer Elsaid & Maged Nader
- Asphalt (Jordan) – Directed by Hamza Hamidah and produced by Mahmoud Massad
As part of its diverse programme, the AFID will host a rich selection of workshops, masterclasses and panels designed to foster meaningful exchange and professional growth. These sessions offer filmmakers and industry professionals the opportunity to engage in productive conversations, gain practical insights, and explore the evolving dynamics shaping the regional and international film landscape.
A new addition to AFID this year, The Spark Series, the first initiative of its kind in the Arab world will shed light on web series as an innovative and accessible form of storytelling.
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, Ghiath & Nadia Sukhtian Foundation, Greater Amman Municipality, HUE, TAJ Cinemas, Olivewood Studios, Institut Français – Jordan.
For all information visit our website www.aiff.jo or email us at: info@aiff.jo or call us at +962792222011.
