Amman Film Festival Opens Sixth Edition Under Theme “A World Unscripted”

Amman: The sixth edition of the Amman International Film Festival – Awal Film (AIFF) commenced at the Hussein Cultural Center, featuring nine days of screenings and events under the theme “A World Unscripted.” The event opened under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Rym Ali, President of the Festival, with the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, President of the Royal Film Commission. According to Jordan News Agency, the opening ceremony was graced by the presence of Prince Abdullah bin Ali, Princess Jalila bint Ali, senior government officials, foreign diplomats, and guests from the international film industry. In her address, Princess Rym highlighted the festival’s theme, pointing to a disconnect between global realities and traditional communication. She articulated that while “madness and silence” characterize the current era, these are not irreversible states, emphasizing the role of filmmakers and audiences in breaking the silence through storytelling. Princess Rym fu rther spoke about the cultural significance of the festival as a stand against despair, noting that stories, though unable to stop destruction, restore identity to the affected and emphasize the multifaceted human experience. She acknowledged the contributions of His Majesty King Abdullah II and Prince Ali in supporting Jordan’s film industry and the festival’s ongoing success. Thanks were extended to public and private sponsors, including the Jordan Tourism Board, Abdali Investment, Royal Jordanian Airlines, and Zain, for their support. This year’s festival highlights Irish cinema, featuring acclaimed filmmaker Jim Sheridan, alongside eleven Jordanian films, five Jordanian film projects in development, and six films made in Gaza by Palestinian filmmakers. The opening ceremony, hosted by actress Zein Awad and journalist Mohannad Al-Jazeera, featured musical performances and traditional Circassian dance by the New Generation troupe. Jim Sheridan addressed attendees, expressing gratitude for participating and sharing insights from his filmmaking journey. The event concluded with the screening of “Behind the Mountains” by Palestinian director Maha Haj, officially launching this year’s film program.