RFC to hold networking event to boost local filmmaking industry

AMMAN — The Royal Film Commission (RFC) has extended its deadline for applications to its upcoming “Film & Television Careers Connection [FTCC]” event until September 20, upon the high demand from multiple entities across the region, George David, managing director of the RFC told The Jordan Times. 

Held from September 22 to 24, the event’s third edition aims to “enhance efforts in the film and TV employment sector by bringing together organisations, freelancers, film students and companies”, David said.

“Cinema is an art but also an industry. It creates jobs, at a difficult economic time. It brings in money to the country,” he stressed, noting that the FTCC serves as a platform to raise awareness of the filmmaking industry, which has generated some JD150 million and created over 5000 jobs in Jordan in the past 10 years.

Jordan has witnessed a spectacular growth on the film production map in recent years, with many well-known movies shot in the Kingdom, including Lawrence of Arabia, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, The Martian, and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

The FTCC seeks to build upon those achievements by helping key local and regional players in the audiovisual sector to network and connect directly with film professionals from all over the world. 

This year’s edition will witness the participation of representatives of major American production companies — such as HBO, Netflix, Weinstein, and Warner Brothers, according to a RFC statement.

 “Hosting filmmakers and high-profile media persons and agencies from different countries will be a great opportunity for them to answer our audience’s questions, support them in starting a new experience in the industry, and also create opportunities for future cooperation among them,” David noted. 

“This is a kind of ‘speed dating’ networking event for film professionals and companies, where aspiring filmmakers can pitch their ideas and exchange knowledge with their peers, to build networks for future cooperations,” the RFC managing director said 

In addition to sessions tackling employment-related issues in the sector, training workshops in filmmaking will be held on the sidelines of FTCC.

Launched in 2015, the showcase has attracted thousands of visitors every year, who participated in a variety of panels, seminars, workshops, and networking events, the RFC statement concluded. 

The three-day event will take place at the RFC Film House premises in Jabal Amman.