Jordan submits ‘FARHA’ for consideration at 95th Academy Awards

AMMAN — The Kingdom has nominated the Jordanian feature narrative film “FARHA”, by Darin J. Sallam, as the country’s official entry for the 95th Academy Awards’ (Oscar®) International Feature Film category for the year 2023.

An independent selection committee made up of six members — who are Jordanian professionals and experts in the audio-visual field — selected this movie, which was filmed entirely in Jordan, according to the Royal Film Commission website. 

Being the country’s official submitting body for the Oscar®, the Royal Film Commission – Jordan (RFC) organises the process, which includes forming the selection committee, which does not include an RFC representative. In August, the RFC announced an open call for feature film submissions for the opportunity to be nominated for the 2023 Academy Awards. 

Inspired by true events, FARHA tells the story of 14-year-old Farha, who is locked in a small room as war erupts in Palestine in 1948. Alone in her abandoned village, she undergoes a life-altering experience, as her dream changes from getting an education to surviving.

The cast includes: Ashraf  Barhoum, Ali Suliman, Sameera Asir, Firas Taybeh, Majd Eid and, for the first time, the emerging young actress Karam Taher. The film is produced by Deema Azar and Ayah Jaradaneh. 

Commenting on this choice, the Selection Committee said: "With great subtlety and elegance, FARHA succeeds in presenting a unique cinematic perspective on a subject matter that has distinct sentimental burden and has long intrigued Arab filmmakers which makes it a film with a significant value both at the levels of form and substance. Its complex narrative approach combines cultural specificity with universal minimalism to create a human story that transcends nations."

FARHA has had a successful festival tour in over 40 festivals so far. The film’s world premiere was at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival in 2021. Farha has won awards for Best Euro-Mediterranean Film dealing with Women’s Issues/ EU Award, Best Director Award and Best Actress Award at the Aswan International Film Festival 2022. It has also received a Special Mention Award at the Red Sea International Film Festival in 2021. It had its Jordanian premiere at the third edition of the Amman International Film Festival – Awal Film, in July 2022, in the presence of the cast and crew. The movie was theatrically released in Jordanian cinemas last August.

The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences will announce the shortlisted films for the 2023 Oscar® on December 21, and official nominations will be announced on January 24 of next year. The 95th Academy Awards ceremony will be held on March 12, 2023.

Jordan has submitted seven films to the Academy Awards, including FARHA, for the international film category.