Respectful of the ongoing Gaza tragedy and in tune with the mood of the Region in general, the Jordanian film festival still managed to celebrate its theme for this edition — “Our Stories, Our Narratives”.

Jordan has a special place in the hearts of those who support the struggle of the Palestinian people. The Jordanian First Lady, HRH Queen Rania al-Abdullah’s father and mother were Palestinians in exile and she was born and raised in Kuwait. Queen Rania is a great supporter of the Palestinian cause and the somber mood at the opening of this year’s film festival, which takes place under the patronage of the Jordanian royal family, was proof of that. Once again, I kick myself for missing this wondrous event, filled with important cinema and conscious people, but inshallah, next year I’ll finally make it to Amman in July for their 6th edition.

In its fifth edition, the Amman International Film Festival, Awal Film will screen 52 films from 28 producing and co-producing countries, all of which are Jordanian premieres. The festival kicked off last night, July 3rd, with no red carpet, a somber speech and two Palestinian films.

After a moment of silence, for the victims in Palestine, Princess Rym Ali, the Founder and President of the festival, said, in her opening speech: "Despite the ongoing suffering and massacres in Palestine, Sudan and other places, we have held on to the festival as a space to support cinema, as art is a life-sustaining system. We have canceled some symbolic traditions such as the red carpet and entertainment music." She added: "Let us tell our stories to the world. There is no more important time than now to share our diverse stories as we witness the distortion of narratives and high disinformation."

The opening was attended by Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, representing King Abdullah II, along with several official, governmental and diplomatic figures, as well as guests from Jordan and abroad, including directors, actors, film industry professionals, local and international journalists, jury members and festival sponsors.

The films were two. First, the short No by Hanaa Awad, which is part of the anthology From Ground Zero, curated by Palestinian director Rashid Masharawi and which he presented in Cannes this year in their Marché du Film.

The omnibus film is a collection of 22 short films, narrative, documentary, experimental and video art films, entirely shot in Gaza during the past few months amidst the ongoing war on the Strip.

Following No was the Jordanian premiere of Lina Soualem’s touching tale of her mother’s exile Bye Bye Tiberias, a documentary “starring” Hiam Abbass and her extended Palestinian family. The film premiered in Venice in 2023 and has been conquering hearts every since, taking on a whole new meaning, and gravitas since the attacks of October the 7th.

Among the film competing this year in the Arab Feature Narrative section, there are personal favorites Backstage, co-directed by Afef Ben Mahmoud and Khalil Benkirane and The Burdened by Amr Gamal. But also Jordanian film Inshallah a Boy, by Amjad Al-Rasheed; Tunisian filmmaker Mohamed Ben Attia’s Behind the Mountains; and the Moroccan title Animalia by Sofia Alaoui.

The Arab documentaries screened will include Sareen Hairabedian’s My Sweet Land; Halkawt Mustafa’s Hiding Saddam Hussein; and Ibrahim Nash’at’s Hollywoodgate, produced by Talal Derki.

Brandt Andersen’s The Strangers’ Case — starring Palestinian thespian Yasmine Al Massri, along with Syrian actor Yahya Mahayni and French star Omar Sy — and which has been gathering up awards left and right since its world premiere at this year’s Berlinale, will also screen in Amman, part of the International Films line up. As will Ramata-Toulaye Sy’s Banel & Adama and Itsaso Arana’s The Girls Are Alright.

Kaouther Ben Hania’s Four Daughters and Asmae El Moudir’s The Mother of All Lies will screen in the Franco-Arab Rendez-Vous section and rounding out the Spotlight section along with Soualem’s opening film and From Ground Zero, the Saudi-Egyptian collaboration Hajjan, directed by Abu Bakr Shawky and Yousry Nasrallah’s 2004 classic Palestinian epic The Gate of Sun, starring Abbass.

The films in competition will compete for the Black Iris award.

There is also a concurring industry event called AFID and some of this year’s participating projects, in various stages of development, include the narrative Let’s Wait and See by Mahdi Fleifel, whose latest film premiered in Cannes this year. Also Khaled Mansour’s Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo, produced by Rasha Hosny and Mohamed Hefzy. And Ahmad Al Bazz’s Palestinian doc Donkey Boys, produced by 200 Meters filmmaker Ameen Nayfeh.

Talks and masterclasses will include an encounter between two movie stars, Dhafer L'Abidine and Bushra Rozza, who will share their journeys in the acting world. Also one featuring the internationally renowned Palestinian actress and director Hiam Abbass, moderated by journalist Jihene Al Turki. And an engaging meeting with Alana Hadid and Mounir Atallah, moderated by Jordanian director Fadi Haddad, where they will delve into the core mission of the recently founded Watermelon Pictures, a US-based production and distribution company aimed at empowering marginalized voices and amplifying them in the world.

Last but not least, a free talk with Asghar Farhadi, the Oscar-winning Iranian filmmaker, who will allow the public a glimpse into his world. “First & Latest: Asghar Farhadi” promises to take the audience on a journey, sharing the experiences that shaped his visual and narrative style, leading up to his latest productions. The director will share lessons learned throughout his cinematic career, discussing the challenges he faced that contributed to the maturity of his work as a director.

The Amman International Film Festival continues through July 11th, in Amman, Jordan and is under the direction of Nada Doumani. For more info, check out their website.