After the inaugural April event was postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Amman International Film Festival will proceed this year with new dates, running from August 23 to 31.
The event, the first international film festival in Jordan, will also bring a drive-in cinema to the country. Two locations have been selected for the outdoor screenings, one in Amman's New Abdali district, and the other at the open-air theatre of Jordan's Royal Film Commission in Jabal Amman. The RFC is also responsible for organising the film festival.
With the aim of focusing on first-time filmmakers in both the Arab world and abroad, the festival has devised programme sections such as First & Latest, which will screen the debut and most recent films of one Arab and one international filmmaker. Masterclasses and discussions with the directors will also feature.
The festival will also show the first feature-length work of a director of choice. Details have yet to announced.
The Arab Competition is open to directors or main producers of Arab origin who have released films in the past year. The competition comprises three categories: feature narrative film, feature documentary and short film.
Recalibrating the event's programme to uphold social-distancing regulations, the organisers have developed a hybrid format for its Amman Film Industry Days, which will run in conjunction with the festival. Previously planned seminars, workshops and talks with industry professionals as part of the event will now take place online.
Princess Rym Ali, president of the Amman International Film Festival, said in a statement that the event will not be hosting guests from abroad owing to travel restrictions. However, she said organisers "will certainly make up for it in the coming editions".
Culture is not just nice to have, but a must-have. In the middle of this pandemic, culture and art have been the most satisfying bonds, artistic productions of all kinds can help us express and understand our realities
In a video shared on the film festival's Facebook page, Princess Rym highlighted the importance of carrying on with the event despite current circumstances. "Culture is not just nice to have, but a must-have. In the middle of this pandemic, culture and art have been the most satisfying bonds, artistic productions of all kinds can help us express and understand our realities," she said.
As of March, the festival had reportedly received more than 700 film submissions. Details of the selected titles and filmmakers involved have not yet been announced.
Jordan has been aiming to boost its film industry of late. The RFC is also working on other initiatives, such as building a studio facility on the outskirts of Amman and developing a cash rebate system for Arab filmmakers to create works.
Last year's live-action version of Disney's Aladdin and the coming sci-fi film Dune are part of this rebate programme. With the former, the RFC assisted in facilitating logistics for production and hired 150 locals to add to the existing crew.
There are a number of other films that have been shot in Jordan. Most recently, this month the crew of a South Korean work titled Bargaining arrived in the country to begin filming.
The Amman International Film Festival is taking place from Sunday, August 23 to Monday, August 31. For more information, visit www.aiff.jo
Empire of Enchantment: The Story of Indian Magic
John Zubrzycki, Hurst Publishers
Find the right policy for you
Don’t wait until the week you fly to sign up for insurance – get it when you book your trip. Insurance covers you for cancellation and anything else that can go wrong before you leave.
Some insurers, such as World Nomads, allow you to book once you are travelling – but, as Mr Mohammed found out, pre-existing medical conditions are not covered.
Check your credit card before booking insurance to see if you have any travel insurance as a benefit – most UAE banks, such as Emirates NBD, First Abu Dhabi Bank and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, have cards that throw in insurance as part of their package. But read the fine print – they may only cover emergencies while you’re travelling, not cancellation before a trip.
Pre-existing medical conditions such as a heart condition, diabetes, epilepsy and even asthma may not be included as standard. Again, check the terms, exclusions and limitations of any insurance carefully.
If you want trip cancellation or curtailment, baggage loss or delay covered, you may need a higher-grade plan, says Ambareen Musa of Souqalmal.com. Decide how much coverage you need for emergency medical expenses or personal liability. Premium insurance packages give up to $1 million (Dh3.7m) in each category, Ms Musa adds.
Don’t wait for days to call your insurer if you need to make a claim. You may be required to notify them within 72 hours. Gather together all receipts, emails and reports to prove that you paid for something, that you didn’t use it and that you did not get reimbursed.
Finally, consider optional extras you may need, says Sarah Pickford of Travel Counsellors, such as a winter sports holiday. Also ensure all individuals can travel independently on that cover, she adds. And remember: “Cheap isn’t necessarily best.”
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Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
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What are the regulations?
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How to improve Arabic reading in early years
One 45-minute class per week in Standard Arabic is not sufficient
The goal should be for grade 1 and 2 students to become fluent readers
Subjects like technology, social studies, science can be taught in later grades
Grade 1 curricula should include oral instruction in Standard Arabic
First graders must regularly practice individual letters and combinations
Time should be slotted in class to read longer passages in early grades
Improve the appearance of textbooks
Revision of curriculum should be undertaken as per research findings
Conjugations of most common verb forms should be taught
Systematic learning of Standard Arabic grammar
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Stage result
1. Pascal Ackermann (GER) Bora-Hansgrohe, in 3:29.09
2. Caleb Ewan (AUS) Lotto-Soudal
3. Rudy Barbier (FRA) Israel Start-Up Nation
4. Dylan Groenewegen (NED) Jumbo-Visma
5. Luka Mezgec (SLO) Mitchelton-Scott
6. Alberto Dainese (ITA) Sunweb
7. Jakub Mareczko (ITA) CCC
8. Max Walscheid (GER) NTT
9. José Rojas (ESP) Movistar
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