Latest news with #Jordanian
Broadcast Pro
2 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.
Egypt Today
2 hours ago
- Egypt Today
All Egyptian pilgrims return home within one week amid regional escalation
File- The first group of Egyptian pilgrims of this year, 2023, boarding the plane to Saudi Arabia- press photo CAIRO – 20 June 2025 – Amid ongoing military escalation in the region between Iran and Israel, all Egyptian pilgrims who traveled through tourism companies for Hajj have safely returned home from Saudi Arabia within a single week. Samia Sami, Assistant Minister for Tourism Companies and Head of the Official Egyptian Hajj Tourist Mission, stated that the pilgrimage concluded in record time due to the regional situation. A total of 80 tourist buses, carrying approximately 7,500 pilgrims, departed smoothly from Mecca and Medina and traveled via the Halat Ammar land crossing on the Saudi-Jordanian border, continuing through the Jordanian port of Aqaba and arriving at Egypt's Nuweiba port. Sami noted that the Central Emergency Operations Room—established by the Hajj mission under ministerial directives—closely monitored all bus movements from Saudi Arabia to Egypt. This was done in full coordination with Saudi, Jordanian, and Egyptian authorities to ensure a safe and organized return. She emphasized that the success of this expedited operation was made possible through continuous coordination between all relevant agencies across the three countries. As a result, the entire overland pilgrimage concluded without significant delays or congestion. Sami expressed her deep appreciation to the authorities and agencies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and the Arab Republic of Egypt. She also extended gratitude to the Chamber of Travel and Tourism Companies and Agencies, and to the tourism companies responsible for organizing this year's overland Hajj trips, for their swift response and effective collaboration with the mission. Regarding pilgrims returning via air travel, Sami confirmed that arrangements are ongoing to facilitate their return on scheduled flights. The final groups are expected to arrive within the coming days, with continued efforts to ensure their comfort and safety throughout the process.
The Sun
3 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
AFC moves Women's Asian Cup qualifiers from Jordan to Qatar
WOMEN'S Asian Cup qualifiers originally starting next week in Jordan have been moved to Qatar because of the 'ongoing situation' in the Middle East, football officials said Friday. Tensions have escalated in the region after Israel and Iran intensified air strikes against each other, with the conflict risking the involvement of the United States. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said that matches in qualifying Group A scheduled June 23-July 5 in the Jordanian capital Amman have been moved to Qatar and will now take place July 7-19. 'More details on the venue and match timings will be confirmed in due course,' the AFC said in a statement. Jordan, Singapore, Iran, Lebanon and Bhutan are in Group A qualifying for the Women's Asian Cup in Australia in March 2026. The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) said separately that the move was due to the 'ongoing situation in the region and logistical concerns raised by' the participating teams. There are eight qualifying groups with the winner of each booking a spot at the 2026 showpiece. Hosts Australia, South Korea, Japan and holders China are already sure of their places.
The Sun
3 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Women's Asian Cup qualifiers moved to Qatar amid Israel-Iran war
WOMEN'S Asian Cup qualifiers originally starting next week in Jordan have been moved to Qatar because of the 'ongoing situation' in the Middle East, football officials said Friday. Tensions have escalated in the region after Israel and Iran intensified air strikes against each other, with the conflict risking the involvement of the United States. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said that matches in qualifying Group A scheduled June 23-July 5 in the Jordanian capital Amman have been moved to Qatar and will now take place July 7-19. 'More details on the venue and match timings will be confirmed in due course,' the AFC said in a statement. Jordan, Singapore, Iran, Lebanon and Bhutan are in Group A qualifying for the Women's Asian Cup in Australia in March 2026. The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) said separately that the move was due to the 'ongoing situation in the region and logistical concerns raised by' the participating teams. There are eight qualifying groups with the winner of each booking a spot at the 2026 showpiece.
The Hindu
4 hours ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Iran-Israel war: Women's Asian Cup qualifiers moved from Jordan to Qatar amid conflict
The AFC Women's Asian Cup qualifiers of group A, scheduled in Jordan have been moved to Qatar because of the 'ongoing situation' in the Middle East, football officials said Friday. Tensions have escalated in the region after Israel and Iran intensified air strikes against each other, with the conflict risking the involvement of the United States. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said that matches in qualifying Group A scheduled June 23-July 5 in the Jordanian capital Amman have been moved to Qatar and will now take place July 7-19. 'More details on the venue and match timings will be confirmed in due course,' the AFC said in a statement. Jordan, Singapore, Iran, Lebanon and Bhutan are in Group A qualifying for the Women's Asian Cup in Australia in March 2026. The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) said separately that the move was due to the 'ongoing situation in the region and logistical concerns raised by' the participating teams. There are eight qualifying groups with the winner of each booking a spot at the 2026 showpiece. Hosts Australia, South Korea, Japan and holder China are already assured their places.
