The Royal Film Commission – Jordan (RFC) has resumed the Jordan Film Fund (JFF), which aims to enable filmmakers to tell their stories as well as develop the independent film industry and contribute to its sustainability, in Jordan.

The Jordan Film Fund will provide a total of US$ 35,000 (250,000 JODs) in grants to support the development, production and post-production of cinematic feature narratives and documentaries, in addition to funding the production of short and animated films. And for 2018, the JFF will also support the development of two TV series by Jordanian writers.

Two independent international juries of directors and producers will evaluate eligible applications in the cinema and TV categories. Their assessment will take into consideration the quality of eligible projects, their originality, creative merit, feasibility, as well as the filmmakers’ credentials and abilities.

Commenting on the inauguration of the third cycle, George David, the RFC’s Managing Director, said: “We are extremely happy to announce the resumption of this fund, which unfortunately had to be suspended for five years due to budget constraints. We believe this fund is crucial as it provides much-needed seed money for filmmakers and will revitalise the local film industry. The experience we had with previously funded projects has been very conclusive and we expect to have more productions that give a voice to Jordanians.”

JFF supported in the past two cycles (2011-2013) twenty-seven cinematic projects granting them a total of $53,500 (380,000 JOD). The  funded projects included Blessed Benefit by Mahmoud Al Massad that premiered at Toronto International Film Festival in 2016 and received Best Film and Best Actor awards in Warsaw International Film Festival; also, Jordan’s Oscar submission for Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards in 2017 3000 Nights by Mai Masri, which participated in more than 80 film festivals and garnered 24 awards. Supported by JFF at the development stage, the feature documentary Aisha (2016) by Asma Bseiso, received Best Documentary award at Malmo Arab Film Festival; the short film Ismail by Nora al Sharif and which had received JFF production grant was selected at the Palm Springs International Film Festival in 2013.

On having received support from the fund, Director Mai Masri said: “It was a wonderful opportunity to receive financial support from RFC’s Jordan Film Fund, as it pushed the project into production and helped secure additional funds. Also, the RFC’s invaluable logistical assistance in securing shooting permits and access to a real prison gave 3000 Nights a powerful and distinctive visual identity. I am glad the RFC has resumed this fund and wish it will support unique and brave voices from Jordan and across the Arab world!”

The deadline for applications for the cinema category is 3 May 2018; and the application deadline for the TV series is 10 April 2018.