International Film Festival in Amman Unveils Jury Members for the Sixth Installment
The Amman International Film Festival (AIFF) is gearing up for its much-anticipated return from July 2 to 10, 2025, in Jordan. This year, the festival is introducing several new additions and announcements, including the formation of juries for various competitive sections.
New Juries for AIFF 2025
A distinguished panel of industry professionals, filmmakers, critics, and scholars has been assembled to evaluate the films and projects competing at the AIFF. The jury for the Best Non-Arab Film category will be selected by the AIFF Advisory Board, with new members including Georges Khabbaz, Rashid Masharawi, Saba Mubarak, Yousry Nasrallah, Samir, Jihan El-Tahri, Ali Alyasery, Anchalee Chaiworaporn, Bert Rebhandl, Dora Bouchoucha, Joseph Bitamba, Eduardo Guillot, Linda Mutawi, and Abdulaziz Al-Shlahei.
The composition and mission of the jury for the Black Iris Award for Best Non-Arab Film have not been disclosed yet. The jury for the Arab Feature-Length Narrative Film competition includes Adila Bendimerad, Amr Gamal, Christoph Leparc, and veteran Jordanian actor-director Rasheed Malhas.
The Arab Feature Documentary category jury consists of Lebanese editor Gladys Joujou, Syrian documentarian Ziad Kalthoum, and award-winning British producer-director Mike Lerner. The Arab Short Film competition jury includes Lebanese actress Diamand Abou Abboud, Jordanian director Amjad Al-Rasheed, and Indian filmmaker Ajitpal Singh.
The Amman Film Industry Days (AFID) will run concurrently with the main festival, and a dedicated jury will evaluate film projects in development and post-production.
Awards and Recognition
The AIFF will continue to present the Audience Award across all four competitive sections. In addition, the FIPRESCI Prize, awarded by the International Federation of Film Critics, returns to recognize excellence in Arab feature-length documentaries. This year, the festival also introduces the Black Iris Award for Best Non-Arab Film.
With these esteemed juries in place and a host of exciting new awards, the AIFF 2025 promises to be an unforgettable celebration of cinema. For more information about the festival, including the complete list of films and projects selected for competition, please visit the official AIFF website or contact the festival organisers directly.
*The "Best Non-Arab Film" category at the Amman International Film Festival (AIFF) has a jury consisting of individuals such as Georges Khabbaz, Rashid Masharawi, Saba Mubarak, Yousry Nasrallah, Samir, Jihan El-Tahri, Ali Alyasery, Anchalee Chaiworaporn, Bert Rebhandl, Dora Bouchoucha, Joseph Bitamba, Eduardo Guillot, Linda Mutawi, and Abdulaziz Al-Shlahei.
The awards at the AIFF 2025 include the Audience Award, the FIPRESCI Prize for Arab feature-length documentaries, and the new Black Iris Award for Best Non-Arab Film, demonstrating a focus on both local and international entertainment and cinema.
