AMMAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF ITS PITCHING PLATFORMS
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Amman – 23 August 2023 - The Black Iris Awards marking the end of the fourth edition of the Amman International Film Festival – Awal Film were handed over last night. The winning films, in the five competitive categories, were announced yesterday at the closing ceremony which was held at the Royal Film Commission – Jordan and attended by the Festival’s President, Princess Rym Ali, accompanied by Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, as well as a large number of officials, festival’s partners, filmmaking community and guests.
The eight-day festival celebrated filmmakers from the Arab region and beyond, screening a rich selection of 56 recently released films from 19 countries, premiering for the first time in Jordan.
“We are happy that the festival has grown rapidly, while remaining faithful to its aim and spirit. The program was rich and appreciated by the large number of attendees. The Festival is not only a platform to showcase the works of talented filmmakers but also a tool supporting the growth of the film industry. It is also a networking forum where personal connections and professional encounters take place; all within a spirit of conviviality and love for cinema and filmmaking”, said Nada Doumani, Festival’s director.
The jury members, introduced by the Jordanian Artist Zain Awad, announced the awards on stage .
The Black Iris Award for Best Arab Feature-Length Narrative went to the Tunisian film “Ashkal” by Youssef Chebbi ($15,000); In the feature-length documentary category, the Moroccan “Fragments from Heaven,” directed by Adnane Baraka, got the Black Iris Award ($10,000); While the Egyptian short by Kawther Younes “My Girlfriend” took the Black Award with a cash prize of $4,000.
The newly introduced FIPRESCI prize in the documentary section was awarded to “Lyd” by Rami Younes and Sarah Ema Friedland. Last, the audience award for best non-Arab film went to “Hafreiat” by Spanish director Alex Sarda.
More awards have been granted. They are all listed below:
Arab Feature-Length Narrative Competition:
Black Iris Award : “Ashkal”, by Youssef Chebbi (Tunisia)
Jury Award: “Hanging Gardens” by Ahmed Yassin Al Daradji (Iraq)
Special Mention First-time Scriptwriter: Adila Bendimerad and Damien Ounouri for “The Last Queen” (Algeria)
Special Mention First-time Lead Actress: Rana Khattab for her role in “Rat Hole” (Egypt)
Special Mention First-time Lead Actress: Marilyne Naaman for her role in “Mother Valley” (Lebanon)
Arab Feature-Length Arab Documentary Competition:
Black Iris : “Fragments from Heaven” by Adnane Baraka (Morocco)
Jury Award: “Lyd” by Rami Younes and Sarah Ema Friedland (Palestine)
Special Mention First-time editor Zakaria Jaber for “Anxious in Beirut” (Lebanon)
FIPRESCI Prize: “Lyd” by Rami Younes & Sarah Ema Friedland (Palestine)
Arab Short Film Competition:
Black Iris Award: “My Girl Friend” by Kawthar Younis (Egypt)
Jury Award: “Hamza: Chasing the Ghost, Chasing Me” by Ward Kayyal (Palestine)
Jury Award: “Trinou” by Nejib Kthiri (Tunisia)
Non-Arab Film Competition:
“Hafreiat” by Alex Sardà (Audience Award)
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.
