Aqaba: Aqaba Culture Directorate and the Royal Film Commission's (RFC) Aqaba Film Center announced winners of the Aqaba Short Film Competition on Monday. The ceremony drew local artists, film enthusiasts, and Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) commissioners to celebrate emerging filmmakers and showcase Aqaba's natural and cultural heritage through cinema.
According to Jordan News Agency, addressing the artistic audience, Tariq Bdour, Director of Aqaba Culture Directorate, described cinema as a "vital tool" for preserving memory and promoting local identity. He stated that the partnership between the directorate and the film center provides opportunities for training, production, and public screenings for local creators.
ASEZA Commissioner for Tourism and Youth Affairs Thabet Nabulsi lauded the "quality" of the submissions, noting that ASEZA remains "committed" to empowering youth and building creative platforms that support the local economy.
This year's competition saw 14 filmmakers participate. Hammam Mbayed won first place for his film, "The Door That Never Left," while Mohammad Ibrahim Khatib secured second place for "Aqaba City." Screenings of the entries led into a final awards presentation celebrating the participants, as organizers pledged "continued" support for local cinema initiatives aimed at empowering young creators.