PRESS & FAQ
FESTIVAL LAUNCH
Arabic press release April 17, 2005 (MS Word) / Arabic press release April 17, 2005 (PDF)
AUDIENCE AWARDS
Arabic press release (Word) / Arabic press release (PDF)
For Arabic language media inquiries contact: Ghaida Hammoudeh 079 5942079
For English language media inquiries contact: Hazim Bitar 079 5308232
Email: AmmanFilmmakers@alif.com
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the purpose of the JSFF?
To provide independent Jordanian filmmakers with a platform to showcase their films, with the least amount of controls and censorship possible, in Jordan. To demonstrate the positive impact of cultural activism on the local cultural scene.
What was the criteria for film selection?
For this first session of the JSFF, we had set reasonable standards of technical quality and creativity. But for future sessions, the standards will be increased to reflect the increasing know-how of filmmaking in Jordan, while keeping in mind the severe limitations imposed on independent Jordanian filmmakers due to high cost of production relative to standards of living. Basically, creativity will continue to be the primary factor in selecting future JSFF films.
Was the type of film funding part of the criteria?
Yes, the films selected for the JSFF'05 were not funded with public or international funding, to the best of our knowledge. We are not against any such funding for Jordanian films, so long as the countries providing the funding are not opposed to the UN resolutions, the Geneva Conventions, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Nor are we against public funding of films. But it was necessary to establish the JSFF'05 as a platform for independent Jordanian films. Our definition of independence goes farther to include independence from the controls of the funding parties. In the future, we will open up the festival to wider segment of short films, Jordanian and non-Jordanian. But the focus will continue be on independent films as a category all by themselves.
Who provided funding for the JSFF'05?
No one. The JSFF'05 benefited from the hard work of volunteers and the support of Masrah el Balad management, who provided the facilities and the A/V gear. Also, Amman's Play FM 99.6 provided the radio publicity. Other direct expenses, which were nominal, were absorbed by the director of the festival.
Why not seek major sponsors?
We will, in the future. But it was necessary to demonstrate, via the JSFF'05 and the Amman Filmmakers Cooperative, the impact cultural activists can have even with limited resources. The value of the festival transcends its films and filmmakers. It's the culture of self-reliance, community empowerment through volunteerism, and the efficient management of limited resources; those are values we wish to promote amongst Jordanian cultural activists.
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