Bengaluru, India – Amjad Al-Rasheed’s Jordanian film “Inshallah A Boy” has emerged victorious, winning the Best First Film Award in the Asian Cinema Competition at the 15th Bengaluru International Film Festival. This critically acclaimed feature, which also served as Jordan’s entry for Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards, has been making waves since its debut at the Cannes Film Festival.
After its world premiere, “Inshallah A Boy” embarked on a successful festival journey, earning numerous accolades along the way. The film recently received the Best Performance Award at the Red Sea International Film Festival and the Asia Pacific Screen Awards, as well as the Best Actress Award at the Thessaloniki International Film Festival. Additionally, it was honored with the Best Screenplay for a Narrative Feature Award at the Mystic Film Festival and the Golden Frog for Best Directorial Debut at the Camerimage IFF in Poland.
The film’s success continued with the Women’s Jury Award and the Grand Jury Award at the Paysages de Cineastes Festival, as well as Best Actress and a Jury Award at the Rotterdam Arab Film Festival. “Inshallah A Boy” has been screened at over 30 prestigious film festivals worldwide, including the Toronto, Palm Springs, and Cannes film festivals.
“Inshallah A Boy” tells the story of Nawal, a widow who must navigate the challenges of saving her home and protecting her daughter in a society where having a son is highly valued. Directed by Amjad Al-Rasheed and co-written with Delphine Agut and Rula Nasser, the film features a talented cast including Mouna Hawa, Haitham Omari, and Salwa Nakkara. The production was led by Imaginarium Films, with co-production by Georges Films and Bayt Al-Shawareb.
Jordanian filmmaker, Amjad Al-Rasheed, holds an MFA in cinematic arts and has been recognized as one of the up-and-coming talents in the Arab region. His previous works include “The Parrot,” a short film funded by the Film Prize of the Robert Bosch Stiftung. Rula Nasser, an independent Jordanian producer, brings extensive experience to the production team.
On a separate note, during this year’s Berlin International Film Festival, Mohannad Al-Bakri, the Managing Director of the Jordanian Royal Film Commission, was honored with the Arab Cinema Personality of the Year Award. In his acceptance speech, Al-Bakri dedicated the award to Palestinian filmmakers while acknowledging the vital role played by the Arab Cinema Center in amplifying the voices of Arab storytellers on a global scale.
Lebanese filmmaker Myriam El Hajj also made an impact at the Berlinale with her documentary “Diaries From Lebanon.” The film explores the tumultuous journey of a nation in crisis, as personal quests for meaning and survival intersect with a country battling to break free from its chains. El Hajj’s previous work, “A Time To Rest,” premiered at Visions du Reel-Nyon and garnered international acclaim.
These achievements underscore the growing recognition and impact of Arab cinema on the world stage. As filmmakers from the region continue to tell their stories, their voices resonate and captivate audiences worldwide.