In the world of cinema, dreams are brought to life through
dedication, vision, and teamwork. And for two decades, the
Royal Film Commission – Jordan (RFC) has embodied these principles, fostered the growth of
the Jordanian film industry while making a mark on the global cinematic
landscape. Here is what was achieved in those two decades
اضافة اعلان
Royal vision for cinemaIn 2003, under the patronage of HRH Prince Ali bin
Al-Hussein, chairman of the Board of Commissioners, the Jordan
Royal Film Authority (RFA) was established. It set its sights on transforming Jordan into
a globally competitive film industry. This vision to promote the art of
storytelling through cinema was soon realized with the establishment of the
Royal Film Commission – Jordan (RFC). This marked the beginning of a cinematic
odyssey that would put Jordan on the world map of cinema
Nurturing filmmaking talent
Meanwhile, one of RFC’s successes includes its Regional
Training Department, which has been instrumental in nurturing Jordanian and
Arab filmmakers. Diverse and programs have equipped aspiring talents with the
skills and knowledge to excel in the film industry. The results speak for
themselves, with films trained and supported by the RFC gaining recognition and
accolades at world festivals. The RFC's investment in talent development has
borne fruit, enriching not only local cinema but also the broader Arab film
landscape.
The RFC provides a wide range of support to filmmakers,
including funding, production services, and training. The RFC's Jordan Film
Fund provides grants to filmmakers to support the development and production of
their films. The RFC also provides production services to filmmakers, including
location scouting, permitting, and crew hiring. In addition, the RFC offers a
variety of training programs for filmmakers, from beginner to advanced levels.
Through its 20th years the RFC provided training and
capacity-building for 350 Filmmaking through workshops, benefiting 5350 local
and Arab male and female trainees and created 133.966 Job opportunities.
The RFC's support has helped to launch the careers of many
successful Jordanian filmmakers, including directors Naji Abu Nowar, Annemarie
Jacir, and Zaid Abu Hamdan. The RFC has also helped to attract international
filmmakers to Jordan, such as Quentin Tarantino, who filmed his 2010 film
Inception in Jordan.
As a result there were 2500 Film screenings of feature and
short films around Jordan with over 300000 attendees.
Transforming the cinematic landscape
And all of this cannot be done without RFC’s role in
promoting independent local cinema through the Jordan Film Support Fund.
This initiative has been pivotal in propelling the film
industry and storytelling in Jordan. The Fund has not only been a financial
lifeline for filmmakers but also a driving force behind the growth of the local
film scene. The numbers reflect the success; local film production in Jordan
provided 8,698 filmmaking jobs in 2021, compared to 5,500 in 2020, marking an
impressive 58 percent growth. These figures underscore the RFC's significant
impact on industry employment and growth.
Also, the Jordan Film Fund (JFF) has played a significant
role in changing the cinematic landscape in Jordan and competing world film
locations. The JFF has supported the production of many award-winning films,
including Theeb, which won the Sundance Film Festival Jury Prize in 2014, and
Wajib, which was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
in 2018.
The JFF has also helped to attract a number of international
film productions to Jordan, including Inception, The Martian, and Lawrence of
Arabia. This has helped to raise the profile of Jordan as a world-class filming
destination and has created jobs and revenue for the Jordanian economy.
The Jordan Film Fund (JFF) in its Eighth cycle for the year
2023 with a total amount of Four hundred fifty thousand (450,000) Jordanian
dinars, almost doubling the budget of the previous cycles.119 projects were
submitted to the fund, and 93 projects were eligible, marking an increase of
more than 61 percent compared to the previous cycle.
In addition to its financial support, the JFF also provides
a number of other services to filmmakers, including production advice, location
scouting, and crew recruitment. This has helped to create a more supportive and
efficient environment for filmmaking in Jordan.
JFF has also played a role in promoting Jordanian cinema to
the world. The JFF supports the participation of Jordanian films at
international film festivals and markets. This has helped to increase the
visibility of Jordanian cinema and to attract international buyers and
distributors. JFF supported in total 152 Feature and short films including 297
supported filmmakers.
In recent years, RFC lent its support to 657 projects in
Jordan, including documentaries, feature and short films, television series,
advertising, and videos in 2021, compared to 382 projects in 2020. This
signifies an astonishing 72 percent increase, showcasing the growing appetite
for filmmaking in the country.
Local film production in Jordan provided 8,698 filmmaking
jobs in 2021, compared to 5,500 in 2020, a 58 percent growth, according to RFC
figures.
RFC lent its support to 657 projects in Jordan, including
documentaries, feature and short films, television series, advertising and
videos, in 2021, compared with 382 projects in 2020, a 72 percent growth.
The total volume of expenditure for the various types of
projects filmed in Jordan was JD24,946,641 in 2021, compared with JD17,500,000
in 2020, a 43 percent growth.
The range of services provided by RFC largely facilitate the
work of production companies, from scouting for location to obtaining permits,
and to customs clearance, among others. As numerical figures shows that 112
International films, 29 International TV Series were shot in Jordan, while 31
productions benefited from the cash rebate system.
For the past 20 years the RFC produced 31 Jordanian Films
with a 6 co-production films with Jordan.
The RFC's dedication
to the growth of the local film industry has not gone unnoticedAs Jordan's film industry thrives, it faces competition on
the regional and international fronts. New players have emerged in the region,
but the RFC remains undeterred. The RFC's marketing strategies and policies are
adapting to the evolving landscape, ensuring that Jordan continues to shine as
a cinematic destination.
The RFC's impact goes beyond borders. It has put Jordan on
the world map of cinema, attracting filmmakers from all corners of the globe.
The enchanting landscapes of Jordan have served as the backdrop for numerous
international productions. Wadi Rum, a popular film location in Jordan, has
become synonymous with cinematic grandeur.
The RFC's support has helped to launch the careers of many
successful Jordanian filmmakers, including directors Naji Abu Nowar, Annemarie
Jacir, and Zaid Abu Hamdan. The RFC has also helped to attract international
filmmakers to Jordan, such as Quentin Tarantino, who filmed his 2010 film
Inception in Jordan.
The RFC's work has been recognized by the international film
community. In 2016, the RFC was awarded the UNESCO-NETPAC Award for Best Film
Agency in the Arab World. In 2018, the RFC was awarded the Prix UIP-Procirep
for Best Film Promotion Agency.
As the RFC celebrates its 20th anniversary, it is looking to
the future and continuing its commitment to developing the Jordanian film
industry. The RFC is currently working on a number of initiatives, including
the launch of a new film studio and the development of a film curriculum for
Jordanian schools.
The Royal Film Commission – Jordan's 20-year journey is a
testament to dedication, vision, and teamwork. Under the visionary leadership
of Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein, the RFC has not only nurtured talent but also
transformed Jordan into a thriving cinematic hub. Its support for local cinema,
evident in the success of the Jordan Film Support Fund and the Jordan Film
Fund, has redefined the industry's landscape.
As we celebrate the RFC's 20th anniversary, we also
celebrate the countless stories told, dreams realized, and careers launched.
The RFC's dedication to the art of filmmaking has left an indelible mark on
Jordan's cultural and economic fabric. Here's to 20 years of cinematic
excellence, and to many more years of illuminating the world through the lens
of Jordanian cinema, for it's a fitting moment to reflect on the remarkable
journey of dedication and teamwork that has transformed Jordan into a global
cinematic hub.
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