‘Cinema can be an empowering tool for the youth’

AMMAN — Cinema is an important platform that gives youth a space to express their views over significant issues including the fight against drugs among other issues, Executive Director of Mentor Arabia Thuraya Ismail said on Wednesday. 

During a press conference held to announce the launching of the second edition of the “Mentor Arabia Short Films” competition, Thuraya said that the competition does not only provide participants with prizes, but it also gives young people a “push to advance in their life and be more creative”.  

“This competition has a goal and it does have a positive impact on people,” she told reporters.  

Mentor Arabia and the Royal Health Awareness Society (RHAS) on Wednesday announced the launch of the second edition of the contest at the Royal Film Commission. 

The competition is designed to raise awareness about risky behaviours and drug abuse among the youth, according to an organisers’ statement, which added that both RHAS and Mentor Arabia believe in “empowering youth, encouraging them to participate in social work, and in their power to raise awareness about the risks of drug-abuse and its prevention”.

“Our cooperation with Mentor is not only in terms of competition but also includes conducting other programmes targeting the youth in terms of drug prevention and other subjects,” RHAS Director General Hanin Odeh said,  expressing hope to see more Jordanian participants take part in this year’s edition.

Thuraya said the organisers expect to receive high quality movies produced by amateur participants. 

The competition’s first edition was held in the second quarter of 2017 in cooperation with a number of public and private universities, as well as youth organisations from eight Arab countries. 

The short film contest targets young talents between the ages of 18 and 30 years old, evaluated by a jury panel of cinema experts and Arab celebrities.

Mentor Arabia and RHAS also signed a partnership agreement on the sidelines of the press conference.