Latest news with #AFID
Broadcast Pro
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Amman Film Industry Days selects 18 projects for 2025 Pitching Platforms
The Pitching Platforms provide a space for Arab filmmakers and producers to present and pitch their projects in development or post-production. As part of its ongoing mission to nurture regional talent and strengthen Arab cinematic storytelling, the Amman Film Industry Days (AFID)—the professional arm of the Amman International Film Festival – Awal Film (AIFF)—has revealed the 18 selected projects that will participate in this year's competitive Pitching Platforms. Set to take place during the sixth edition of the AIFF from July 2 to 10, 2025, the Pitching Platforms offer Arab filmmakers and producers the opportunity to present their projects, either in development or post-production, to a jury of seasoned professionals. The selected participants will compete for financial and in-kind awards made possible through AFID's network of partners and supporters. This year's jury includes Tunisian producer Dora Bouchoucha, Burundian filmmaker Joseph Bitamba, Spanish film critic and programmer Eduardo Guillot, Jordanian producer Linda Mutawi and Saudi director Abdulaziz Al-Shlahei. The 18 projects were selected from a competitive pool of 170 submissions, chosen for their originality, creative 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.' The selection spans three categories. Under the Awal Film section, which supports first-time Jordanian filmmakers or residents in Jordan, four development projects were selected: From Temporary to Semi-Permanent by Bayan Abuta'ema, Memoirs of Jerusalem by Kinda Kurdi, Six 2 One by Tamir Naber, and The Orange Grove by Murad Abu Eisheh. In the wider Arab Projects development category, projects include The Cow Thief (Egypt, Italy, KSA) by Mohamed Zedan, The Sad Life of Happy Pig! (Lebanon, France) by Christy Whaibe, Ping-Pong (Palestine) by Saleh Saadi, Printemps (Lebanon, France) by Noel Keserwany, Love-45 (Syria, Qatar, Switzerland, France, UK, Lebanon) by Anas Khalaf, Alicante (Algeria, France, Spain) by Lina Soualem, Like a Bird in The Sky (Egypt, Lebanon, Spain) by Amal Ramsis, and The Masters of Magic and Beauty (Egypt) by Jad Chahine. Six projects were selected in the post-production category: Kobra (Lebanon) by Daniel Habib, Amal (Jordan, Syria) by Khaled Ahmad Al Swidan, You Don't Die Two Times (Algeria, Tunisia, Germany, France) by Ager Oueslati, Testosterone (Morocco) by Ali Benchekroune and Mohamed Bakrim, All That The Wind Can Carry (Egypt, Qatar) by Maged Nader, and Asphalt (Jordan) by Hamza Hamidah. Beyond the pitching sessions, AFID will host an engaging lineup of workshops, masterclasses, and panel discussions designed to foster knowledge-sharing and professional development. These events aim to offer filmmakers valuable insight into the evolving trends of both the regional and international film industries. This year's edition also introduces The Spark Series, a new initiative and the first of its kind in the Arab world, focused on web series as a dynamic and accessible form of storytelling. This addition underscores AFID's commitment to embracing new formats and platforms in the expanding landscape of visual storytelling.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Abingdon receives $50k for farmers market improvements
ABINGDON, Va. (WJHL) — Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin announced $50,000 will go towards improving the Abingdon Farmers Market. The funds were awarded through Youngkin's Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Fund Infrastructure Grant program. 'Awards from the Governor's Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund Infrastructure Grant program are pivotal in providing targeted support to communities who want to create innovative solutions to local, healthy food access,' Youngkin said in a news release. 'We are proud to invest in the efforts of these dedicated food leaders who are making a lasting impact on the lives of Virginians across the Commonwealth.' Abingdon food scene nominated for USA TODAY's 10Best The funds will go towards enclosing and heating the Abingdon Farmers Market to transform the site into a year-round facility. A removable weather-resistant curtain wall, tracked door, heating and a two-bay sink will be added. The improvements will increase the market's operational capacity and strengthen its role as an economic driver in the community, all while supporting local farmers, the release stated. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gov. Youngkin announces over $260K in grants to support local food production
PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) – Governor Glenn Youngkin announced on Wednesday the latest round of grants in order to help support food production in the Commonwealth. According to a release, $264,000 in grants, provided by Youngkin's Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Fund Infrastructure Grant program, will go towards six community infrastructure products with the goal of enhancing food markets and expanding access to locally grown food. 'Awards from the Governor's Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund Infrastructure Grant program are pivotal in providing targeted support to communities who want to create innovative solutions to local, healthy food access,' Youngkin said. 'We are proud to invest in the efforts of these dedicated food leaders who are making a lasting impact on the lives of Virginians across the Commonwealth.' 'It's so important that we help our farmers and small food producers get their products to consumers, especially consumers in their local community,' Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Matthew Lohr said. 'These grants support farm income, strengthen local economies, and increase residents' access to fresh local foods. It's a win for everyone.' A list of the projects across the Commonwealth receiving funding can be found below: Farmers Market Weatherization Improvements — Town of Abingdon $50,000 Adding a removable weather resistant curtain wall, tracked doors, heating and a two-bay sink to transform the market into a year-round facility Commissary Kitchen and Food Aggregator — Bath County $50,000 Equipping The Village Kitchen, a commissary kitchen and food aggregator for the area, with a fully-equipped shared-use facility Farmers Market Expansion — Cumberland County $32,678 Improving and upgrading the farmers market at the Luther P. Jackson Community Center SIP Seafood Market — City of Newport News $50,000 Funding to cover equipment purchases, including ice machines, refrigerating units, ice pans and food display items, for the SIP Seafood Market Winter Market Building — Town of Onancock $31,943 Funding to cover equipment costs and prefabricated building to house a winter market for the area Expansion of Farm Stand into Brick and Mortar Market — Prince William County $49,450 Funding to cover building, electrical, insulation, drywall, paint, refrigerator, freezer, display and signage for Sunshine Honey Farm Those interested in applying for the next round of grants, which will be accepted in the spring, can do so through the link here. Continue to check for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
