Jordanian Film Days under way in Algeria

AMMAN — The fifth edition of the Jordanian Film Days in Algeria are under way in Algiers, with three features on the screening list, according to the Royal Film Commission (RFC).

The screening programme includes two Jordanian narrative feature length films: the Academy Award-nominated “Theeb” by director Naji Abu Nowar, and “3000 Nights” by Mai Masri; in addition to the Jordanian documentary “The Council” by director Yahya Alabdallah.

The event opened on Wednesday with a screening of "“3000 Nights”, which tells the story of a young Palestinian school teacher who gives birth to her son in an Israeli prison, where she fights to protect him, survive and maintain hope, according to a statement released by the film's distributor, MAD Solutions.

"3000 Nights" recently won the Audience Award at the Annonay International Festival of First Films in France and the Jury Award at the Women's International Film and Television Showcase in the US, the distributor said in a statement. 

It also won the Meeting Point Audience Award at the 60th Valladolid International Film Festival in Spain, and had its premiere at the Toronto festival. 

The film had its US premiere at Palm Springs International Film Festival in California and competed at Busan International Film Festival in South Korea with "full-house screenings". 

The film had a theatrical release in Nablus, Palestine in January.

On Thursday, director Yahya Alabdallah's 93-minute documentary, "The Council", was screened. 

The film follows the journey of three young Palestinians running for the student council in a refugee school in Jordan, from announcing the election until the end of the academic year, according to MAD Solutions. 

The film won a Certificate of Appreciation at the Alexandria Film Festival for Mediterranean Countries, in addition to a Special Mention at the Dubai International Film Festival, the statement said. 

Alabdallah is a seven-time award-winning director and he was also nominated for 15 awards. "The Council" was supported by the Final Cut workshop at the Venice International Film Festival.

The film days conclude on Friday with a screening of "Theeb", Abu Nowar's first feature film, which he co-scripted with Bassel Ghandour. 

Set in the Arabian Desert of 1916, the film follows Theeb, a young bedouin boy, and his brother Hussein as they leave the safety of their tribe to venture on a treacherous journey at the dawn of the Great Arab Revolt. 

Recently, Abu Nowar and producer Robert Lloyd won the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Award for Outstanding Debut by British Director or Producer and the film is also nominated for the Best Foreign-Language Film Award in the 88th Academy Awards. 

"Theeb" has been screened in 25 countries and received 19 international awards, including Best Director Award at Orizzonti (New Horizons) Competition after the film's world premiere at the Venice Film Festival.

The film was released in the US and in 12 countries in the Arab world and Europe, and it is set to have a re-release in several Arab countries.

On the sidelines of the film days, the RFC and the Algerian Agency for Cultural Influence (AARC) signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday at the Cinematheque in Algiers.

Nada Doumani, acting for RFC General Manager George David and AARC secretary general, Nazih Bramadan signed the memo, according to an RFC statement.

"This step stems from the RFC’s and AARC’s desire to formalise the cinematic cooperation that the two institutions have developed since 2011," the statement said. 

The memo aims at enhancing the exchange of film experiences and expertise, as well as strengthening the partnership between the two countries in this area.