Amman International Film Festival announces details of sixth edition
This year, the festival welcomes Ireland as Country of Honour, focusing on Irish cinema with a specific section dedicated to it.
The Amman International Film Festival – Awal Film has announced the details of its sixth edition, set to take place from July 2 to July 10 in Jordan's capital. This year's theme, 'A World Unscripted,' celebrates the raw, unpredictable nature of storytelling that mirrors the unscripted nature of real life.
Festival President Princess Rym Ali explained that the theme reflects a commitment to showcasing films that defy convention and embrace the authenticity of lived experience. 'This edition embraces the unpredictable and the deeply human in the midst of a volatile and rapidly changing world,' she stated. 'Life doesn't follow a script; and recent years have certainly been unscripted. So, in this edition, we pay tribute to storytellers who dare to explore and narrate moments that feel more lived than written.'
The festival's official poster, designed by HUE Innovation & Design, captures this spirit with a visual style that introduces both a playful tone and a subtle message of hope, reinforcing the core message of spontaneity and resilience.
This year also marks a significant milestone for the festival with the introduction of its first-ever 'Country of Honour.' Ireland has been selected for this role, with a dedicated spotlight on Irish cinema featured in the programme. Festival Director Nada Doumani highlighted the thematic synergy between Irish and Arab films, noting that both cultures use cinema to explore identity, resilience, and the path toward peace. She emphasised that within the framework of 'A World Unscripted,' Irish and Arab stories find common ground in their exploration of human experience. Doumani also pointed to Ireland's principled stance and strong support for Palestine and human rights, which further resonates with the region and the spirit of this year's edition.
Irish Ambassador to Jordan, Marianne Bolger, added: 'I am exceptionally proud that Ireland has been selected as the Festival's first Country of Honour, and I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the President of the Festival and its organisers. Ireland has a long history in cinema and filmmaking, and we are delighted to work closely with the AIFF to bring a collection of Irish films to Jordan that will hopefully resonate with audiences. I believe each Irish film on display will speak, in its own way, to the theme of 'A World Unscripted', and I look forward to seeing how these movies are perceived by Jordanian viewers.'
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