Khaberni - Mohammad Shehab
The events of the Jordan International Peace Film Festival in its sixth edition concluded this evening, Sunday, in Jerash Governorate. The festival was organized by the Jordanian Global Foundation for Film and Television Production, in cooperation with the Jerash Directorate of Culture, under the sponsorship of Her Royal Highness Princess Rima Ali, and attended by a group of artists, directors, filmmakers, and those interested in cultural and cinematic affairs from Jordan and sister countries.
The closing ceremony included artistic and cultural segments, along with honoring the winning films and their creators and distributing awards, in appreciation of their creativity and achievements in the realm of the seventh art.
Dr. Barakat Awajan, former Minister of Culture and delegate of the event sponsor Her Royal Highness Princess Rima Ali, emphasized that nations rise through culture, thought, and art, noting that the Jordan International Peace Film Festival represents a bridge for civilizational communication between peoples, and a cultural spirit pulsating with image, thought, and beauty.
Awajan praised the city of Jerash for being a cradle of culture, art, and creativity, affirming that Jordan, with its cultural and civilizational diversity, forms a fertile ground for creativity.
He valued the efforts of the festival president, Jordanian director Sameh Shoueitr Al-Ma'ani, and all those involved and participating, pointing out the importance of connecting the festival with memory, identity, tourism, and culture, and enhancing Jordan's presence in the cinematic and cultural scene.
On his part, Dr. Aqla Al-Qadri, the Director of Culture in Jerash, welcomed the audience and guests, asserting that cinema is not just an art, but also a culture, industry, economy, and a global language that transcends language and cultural differences.
Al-Qadri highlighted cinema's ability to make viewers live the story and engage with it, posing questions that prompt them to think and search for answers, confirming that a film can condense a human experience that remains in the memory for many years.
He reviewed milestones from the history of cinema in Jordan, recalling the film "Conflict in Jerash" as one of the earlier milestones in the history of Jordanian cinema, leading up to the establishment of the Royal Jordanian Film Commission in 2003, and the subsequent development in film production and attracting global cinematic works to be filmed in Jordan.
He emphasized that the most important challenge is not only in the number of films that have been shot in Jordan but in the Jordanian cinema's ability to present the Jordanian narrative to the world, and link the image with identity, memory, and place.
Speeches by several speakers
The ceremony included speeches by several speakers, discussing the importance of cinema in supporting creativity and talents, enhancing cultural dialogue among peoples, and the role of film festivals in providing a space for filmmakers to showcase their works and exchange experiences and insights.
The speakers emphasized the importance of continuing and developing the festival to be a supportive platform for local, Arab, and international talents and filmmakers, contributing to enhancing the presence of Jerash and Jordan on the map of culture, arts, and cinema.
The closing ceremony featured a musical performance by Jerash Band from Kan Cultural Association, amid interaction from the audience, reflecting the presence of local creativity and the role of associations and cultural institutions in enriching the artistic scene in the governorate.
The festival concluded with the honoring of the winning films and their creators and participants, amid an atmosphere that celebrated art and cinema's message in promoting peace, dialogue, and communication between peoples.
