Jordanian filmmakers invited to submit gender related projects

AMMAN — An EU-funded project aimed at tackling social and gender issues in rural areas is inviting Jordanian and Arab filmmakers to submit their proposals before October 18.

Started about a year ago, Medfilm4all seeks to contribute to human development and gender equality through the diffusion of audiovisual products tackling social issues in seven main countries of the southern Mediterranean region, according to its website.

“This is our second call for proposals and we did not get any Jordanian projects during the first round, which is why it would be a great opportunity for Jordanian filmmakers to showcase their work,” an EU representative told The Jordan Times, noting that priority will be given to projects aiming at “widening the audience for films in rural settings, especially among the youth, improving the image of women through the audio-visuals and reinforcing capacities of women working in the film industry sector”.

A three-folded project encompassing field research, financial support and network development, Medfilm4all was established based on the recognition of a “common need in southern Mediterranean countries for a process of analysis, consultation and dialogue about the role of the audiovisual, which can help in improving and conveying a non-stereotyped image of women and various social issues”, a Medfilm4all statement sent to The Jordan Times said.

Throughout its 36 month duration, the project will provide a dozen of sub-grants to third parties who will work on increasing the production, diffusion and accessibility of audiovisual productions promoting social and gender issues, in addition to fostering exchange and networking between CSOs and film industry actors.

To better understand the needs and attitudes of populations in the project’s target countries, Medfilm4all also entailed the MedBarometer Survey, a study conducted in the six southern Mediterranean countries (Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine and Tunisia), to test citizens’ knowledge, attitudes and practices concerning access to films tackling sensitive issues, in particular gender and participation to cultural life. 

The projects supported by Medfilm4all so far include “Sawia” from Tunisia and Libya, “Community Cinema” from Egypt, “7e ART for women equality” from Morocco, “Local Communities lead the defence of Women’s rights through audiovisual productions” in Palestine and “Audiovisuals for human development and gender equality” from Lebanon, according to the statement.

The call for proposals, which can be accessed at https://goo.gl/fpfeQe, will remain open until October 18.