Amman, June 7 (Petra) -- The 14th edition of the Women's Film Week festival opened at the Rainbow Theater in Amman on Sunday evening under the patronage of HRH Princess Basma Bint Talal, UN Women Goodwill Ambassador.

The festival, organized by UN Women in cooperation with the Royal Film Commission of Jordan (RFC), showcases a selection of films highlighting diverse aspects of women's lives, focusing on leadership, empowerment, social change, and the global challenges confronting women.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Princess Basma emphasized the critical role women play globally in advancing their communities and families toward positive change and a more peaceful, sustainable future.

The opening was attended by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Nancy Namrouqa along with several Arab and foreign ambassadors. Princess Basma noted that women in many countries have taken the lead in transforming their households and professional fields through economic and entrepreneurial projects, driving educational improvements and supporting post-crisis recovery to build more inclusive and resilient societies.

However, she pointed to ongoing challenges facing women in many regions due to conflicts, economic hardships, natural disasters, and instability, which render them vulnerable to gaps in healthcare, education, social protection, and sustainable livelihoods.

Princess Basma praised the participating filmmakers for documenting both the hardships and success stories of women and commended UN Women and the Royal Film Commission for sustaining the annual festival as a purposeful cinematic platform.

Nicolas Burniat, UN Women Resident Representative in Jordan, said the Women's Film Week has served as a space for reflection, dialogue, and inspiration for 14 years. He added that Jordan has made notable progress in women's rights and empowerment in recent years, highlighting cinema's ability to reshape public awareness around these issues.

Mohannad Al-Bakri, RFC Managing Director, said the event fosters cultural exchange and mutual understanding through cinema. He affirmed the commission’s commitment to providing equal opportunities for cinematic talent, noting the growing and influential presence of Jordanian women as writers, producers, and directors competing in regional and international film festivals.

Festival Artistic Director Ghada Saba said the event delivers a global humanitarian message that aligns with the International Women's Day theme: "Rights, Justice, Action for all Women and Girls." She described cinema as the most powerful platform to translate these principles into active change.

The opening ceremony included a visual presentation of the participating films and a musical performance by artist Zain Awad.

The festival commenced with the screening of "Arak," a Jordanian short dramatic film that tells the story of an orphaned girl who balances her academic studies with working at her father’s restaurant and training in taekwondo.

The launch concluded with a panel discussion titled "Women in Sports and Social Norms," featuring several stakeholders.

The panelists shared their experiences and achievements in navigating challenges within sports.

The speakers concluded that Jordanian society has shown a significant positive shift in supporting women’s participation in sports and celebrating their achievements in international championships.

//Petra// AF

07/06/2026 23:07:28