Amman: The Amman International Film Festival - Awal Film (AIFF) announced that Ireland has been selected as the guest of honor for the sixth edition of the festival, which will be held from July 2 to 10, with acclaimed Irish filmmaker Jim Sheridan as the guest of this year's "First and Latest" section.
According to Jordan News Agency, the festival's management explained in a statement that the rich experiences of Arab and Irish cinema converge in their profound treatment of human issues, focusing on identity and memory. This reflects the edition's theme, "A World Unscripted."
The festival also highlights that it provides shared spaces for human encounters and embodies a sense of collective responsibility. Irish and Arab narratives intertwine, presenting unconventional perspectives on individual and collective struggles, expression, and the search for truth and hope.
The Spotlight on Irish Cinema includes five major titles: "My Left Foot" and "In the Name of the Father" by Jim Sheridan, both starring Daniel Day-Lewis, "Michael Collins" by Neil Jordan, "The Wind That Shakes the Barley" by Ken Loach, and "The Banshees of Inisherin" by Martin McDonagh.
Nada Doumani, the Festival Director, commented: "By honoring Ireland, a human and cinematic bridge is built between Arab and Irish narratives. Both carry old wounds, but also tales of love and success from which powerful and deeply humane films emerge."
Jim Sheridan, a six-time Oscar-nominated writer and director, has shaped the international perception of Irish cinema through films such as "In America" (2003) and "Brothers" (2009). In this special section, the director will reflect on his cinematic journey-from his earliest work "My Left Foot" (1989) to his newly released "Re-creation" (2025)-exploring the evolution of his storytelling and the deeply humanistic spirit that runs through his work.