Shoman foundation to support Med Film Factory project

AMMAN — The Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation (AHSF) and the Royal Film Commission–Jordan (RFC) on Wednesday signed an agreement supporting the Med Film Factory (MFF) training programme.

The programme aims to provide advanced and specialised training for Arab directors and producers working on their first or second feature film project, according to an RFC statement e-mailed to The Jordan Times.

The signing ceremony was held in the presence of HRH Princess Rym Ali, a RFC board member, and other board members of the two institutions. 

"This step comes within the lack of training programmes specialised in the Arab cinema industry, and the necessity to provide Arab filmmakers with the know-how that helps them achieve their feature narrative film projects," the statement said.

The MFF, organised by the RFC since 2011, provides participants with the necessary tools focusing on their feature films while in development. 

The MFF, which was suspended for a year due to lack of funding, has already contributed to the development of 24 film projects, as well as refining the skills of some 50 producers and 50 directors from across the Arab world between 2011 and 2014, the statement said.

In two specialised workshops, directors and producers are trained by experts using practical and focused methods enabling them to utilise the experience they gain from MFF to work on their current projects, in addition to benefiting from it for their future work, according to the RFC. 

The statement quoted AHSF CEO Valentina Qussisiya, as saying that “this support comes within the framework of the support and grants programme, launched by the foundation, to contribute to the development and enrichment of cultural contents and to encourage creativity at all levels." 

The relaunch of the MFF gives opportunities for practical training and sets up teams of Jordanian and Arab producers and directors in a way that broadens their horizons and stimulates their creative capabilities, therefore enriching the Arab cinematic scene, she added.

Highlighting the Shoman Foundation's support for the programme, RFC General Manger George David noted that the "AHSF certainly acknowledges the importance of serious cultural work." 

"MFF is open to filmmakers across the Arab world, at a time where the Arab region is in dire need... [of] a culture that reflects the reality of our society, its vitality, diversity and its relation to humanity at large far from tendencies of isolation and extremism,” David said.

"We, at the RFC, seek to support filmmakers’ capabilities and provide them with the skills that guarantee they can express themselves, tell their stories." 

The project will receive the assistance of international and Arab tutors and experts who will train the participants, in addition to local professional crew and cast for the directors’ workshop, during which participants shoot a short film inspired by their feature film project, the RFC statement said, adding that it will start receiving applications for participation next month.