The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

Image via AIFF

As the explosion of independent films increases daily in Egypt, more and more Egyptian films make welcomed appearances in film festivals around the world. This month, six different Egyptian films are going global in the Amman International Film Festival-Awal Film (AIFF), and we couldn’t be more excited! In celebration, here is everything you need to know about the AIFF!

About the AIFF

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Inaugurating in 2020, the AIFF has been going from strength to strength every year. As Jordan’s first international film festival, the AIFF aims to shine a bright and clear spotlight on Jordanian and Arab talents. Directing attention to “first-timers,” as per the festival’s president, HRH Princess Rym Ali, the AIFF is a true rite of passage that boosts different filmmakers’ careers by celebrating their first-time achievements and giving them their long overdue recognition.

 

Awards

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Through various awards, the top talents in filmmaking are given their much-needed and deserved appreciation and credit. From the Best Arab Short Film award to the Best Arab Feature-Length Documentary award, the international juries ensure a fair, accurate judgement of all the screened works.

 

The Juries

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This year, the festival has brought out some A-list names from around the world—from actor Dhafer L’Abidine and producer Steven Markovitz to director Susan Youssef and screenwriter and director Aida Begić.

Programme

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While the most important part of the festival is obviously the screening of the movies, the festival has more to offer. As a multimedia event, the AIFF serves as a networking opportunity like no other for everyone in the film industry. Whether it is their master classes and seminars or their pitching sessions and discussions with directors, the AIFF covers all categories you may think of.

Egyptian Films in the AIFF

Still from Smokey Eyes

Now, as for our favourite part of it all, and the most anticipated one (at least for us), six Egyptian films are to grace the screens of the AIFF. These movies are Back to Alexandria, Hollywoodgate, Smokey Eyes, The Call of the Brook, Bab El-Shams, and Hajjan. From documentaries and short films to long movies, it is safe to say that Egyptian works are bound to be some true showstoppers at the festival (and we totally can’t wait for them to win some awards!).

Final Thoughts

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With all this in mind, the AIFF is a real starting point for all up-and-coming filmmakers, which is an opportunity unlike any other (especially for our Egyptian works; yes, we can’t stop bragging!).