Jordan’s Rising Film Talent is redefining West Asian storytelling

Jordan’s film industry is helping a new generation of filmmakers bring locally rooted stories to international audiences, with emerging directors increasingly focusing on universal human experiences, social realities and authentic perspectives from across West Asia.

Supported by institutions such as the Jordan Film Academy, the Royal Film Commission, the Jordan Film Fund and the Amman Film Festival, filmmakers are finding new opportunities for training, funding and industry connections. Variety reported several projects that participated in the Amman Film Industry Days have since made significant progress toward production and distribution.

Documentary Projects Gain Momentum

Among the projects attracting attention is Amal, a documentary by Syrian-born filmmaker Khaled Alswidan (Al Khaldi). The film follows two Syrian sisters whose lives take dramatically different paths after displacement. While one remains in Jordan’s Zaatari refugee camp, the other moves to Amman seeking independence and a fresh start.

After securing multiple development awards in Amman and Cairo, as well as support from the Jordan Film Fund, the project is preparing for its next stage of development at First Cut Lab Doha.

Al Khaldi said the documentary evolved significantly following the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria, prompting major changes to the story, including the return of one protagonist to Syria.

The filmmaker, who has lived in Jordan since 2011, focuses primarily on documentary storytelling and observational cinema. He is also developing a new short documentary exploring the lives of women whose husbands are involved in drug smuggling, examining how those circumstances shape their daily experiences and social standing.

Filmmakers Push Beyond Stereotypes

Producer Alaa Alasad of Amman-based Tabi360 believes filmmakers across Jordan and West Asia are increasingly determined to tell their own stories without compromising their creative vision.

According to Alasad, the industry is moving away from narratives built around cultural stereotypes and toward stories that highlight universal human experiences.

That shift is reflected in Sink, director Zain Duraie’s feature debut, which explores a mother's struggle with her teenage son's mental health condition. The film, currently screening at the Shanghai International Film Festival, tackles a topic that remains largely underrepresented in Arab cinema.

Alasad said the production team faced resistance from some traditional Western funding bodies that questioned why the characters did not match preconceived ideas of a Jordanian family.

“We represent a new wave of cinema that refuses to exoticise our culture for foreign audiences,” he said.

Local Stories With Global Appeal

Industry executives say Jordanian filmmakers are increasingly creating stories that remain deeply connected to their local environments while resonating with audiences worldwide.

Gianluca Chakra, head of Dubai-based Front Row Productions, pointed to crime thriller Boomahas an example of that approach. The film combines genre storytelling with social themes while exploring universal ideas such as survival, redemption and hope.

Chakra believes the region's emerging filmmakers are becoming more confident in telling stories through their own lens rather than attempting to imitate international trends.

“There is a growing belief that Jordanian stories do not need to imitate anyone else in order to find audiences,” he said.

Upcoming Jordanian Productions

Several high-profile projects are also moving toward production.

Producer Alaa Alasad is working on Jo of Montreal, the latest feature from Palestinian filmmaker Ameen Nayfeh, whose acclaimed debut 200 Meters premiered at the Venice Film Festival. Filming is expected to begin this year in Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

Alasad is also producing Lara Zidan’s debut feature Birthday, which is scheduled to enter production later this year.

Meanwhile, documentary projects including The Last Mayor of Jerusalemby Kinda Kurdi and “Asphalt” by Hamza Hamidah continue to advance following their presentations at the Amman Film Industry Days.

Jordan Strengthens Its Reputation as a Regional Film Hub

While Jordan may not be the largest film market in the region, industry figures say it has earned growing international respect through consistent investment in storytelling and filmmaker development.

With a new generation of directors tackling subjects ranging from mental health and displacement to identity and social change, Jordan’s film sector is increasingly positioning itself as a creative force within West Asia and beyond.