Amman, June 17 (Petra) – The Amman International Film Festival – Awal Film (AIFF) announced that Ireland has been selected as the guest of honor for the sixth edition of the festival, which will be held from July 2 to 10, with acclaimed Irish filmmaker Jim Sheridan, as the guest of this year’s “First & Latest” sectio=.

The festival’s management explained in a statement on Tuesday that the rich experiences of Arab and Irish cinema converge in their profound treatment of human issues, concerned with issues of identity and memory, within the framework of this edition’s theme, “A World Unscripted.”

It also noted that it provides shared spaces for human encounter and embodies a sense of collective responsibility, as Irish and Arab narratives intertwine, each presenting an unconventional perspective on individual and collective struggles, expression, and the search for truth and hope.

It said that the Spotlight on Irish Cinema includes five major titles: “My Left Foot” and “In the Name of the Father” by Jim Sheridan and both starring Daniel Day-Lewis, “Michael Collins” by Neil Jordan, “The Wind That Shakes the Barley” by Ken Loach and “The Banshees of Inisherin” by Martin McDonagh.

Nada Doumani, the Festival Director, commented: “By honoring Ireland, a human and cinematic bridge is built between Arab and Irish narratives. Both carry old wounds, but also tales of love and success from which powerful and deeply humane films emerge.”

A six-time Oscar nominated writer and director; Sheridan has shaped the international perception of Irish cinema through films, which include in addition to the above “In America” (2003) and “Brothers” (2009). In this special section, the director will reflect on his cinematic journey – from his earliest work “My Left Foot” (1989) to his newly released “Re-creation” (2025) – exploring the evolution of his storytelling and the deeply humanistic spirit that runs through his work.

//Petra// AO
17/06/2025 14:30:14