Sixth Karama Human Rights Film Festival opens Saturday

AMMAN — The sixth Karama Human Rights Film Festival opens on Saturday under the theme "Back to the Human Spirit", celebrating art as a means to confront violence and extremism.

Over the course of six days, the festival will screen 70 narrative features, documentaries and animated films from 25 countries, with the participation of over 20 filmmakers and prominent actors from Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, the UK, France, the US and Jordan, according to the organisers.

The annual event, organised by Ma3mal 612 Think Factory in partnership with the Royal Cultural Centre and the Greater Amman Municipality, opens this year with a special screening of the Egyptian film "The Price", attended by the film's stars and production team.

The screenings will take place in the capital, with the Royal Cultural Centre as the main venue, and in Irbid Governorate, as well as at several universities, schools and cultural centres across the country, according to the organisers.

Outreach activities include screenings at the Zaatari Refugee Camp and Irbid Refugee Camp.

Nine films from several countries are competing this year for the Karama Feather Award for Best Feature Documentary, and there are also awards for Best Short Fiction and Best Animated Film.  A local and international jury will announce the winners during the festival.

Eight directors of Arab film festivals will gather at the event and engage in intensive meetings with the aim of establishing an Arab cinema forum similar to global film networks.

The festival will also include music performances, art exhibitions, workshops and discussions.

The programme and activities of the festival are available at www.karamafestival.org and on its social media page.