Please select a date from the tabs below to view the workshop details
Monday 22-09-2025
The Making of Moon
A Cross-Cultural Film Production Case Study
Description & Objectives:
This masterclass brings together members of the creative and logistical team behind Moon for an interactive discussion. Director-writer Kurdwin Ayub, and line producer Steven Swirko, will share their first-hand experiences of making this Austrian film, which was predominantly shot in Jordan.
The session will explore:
- Ayub’s scriptwriting process and creative inspirations
- Casting and location scouting in a cross-cultural setting
- Financing complexities and production logistics
- Practical challenges of coordinating a film between Austria and Jordan’s distinct cultural and industry environments
The format emphasizes dialogue and engagement rather than formal presentation, giving participants the opportunity to learn directly from industry practitioners who guided the production from development through completion.
About the Movie
Moon is the latest feature by Iraqi-Austrian filmmaker Kurdwin Ayub, a bold and visually striking exploration of identity, belonging, and human relationships. Shot largely in Jordan with a diverse cast and crew, the film stands out as a powerful example of how cross-cultural collaboration can enrich storytelling and production. Its critical acclaim highlights the importance of bridging creative visions across borders, making it an ideal case study for filmmakers and film enthusiasts alike.
Organizer:
Austrian Embassy Amman
in cooperation with the following guests:
Kurdwin Ayub
Iraqi-Austrian filmmaker and artist, known for her bold storytelling and visually striking works, including the award-winning Paradise! Paradise!, Sun, and Moon.
Steven Swirko
Vienna-based producer with an international track record, currently shaping films at the renowned Ulrich Seidl Filmproduktion.
Date & Time:
22 September 2025
11:00 – 12:30
Venue:
The Royal Film Commission
Language:
English (questions and discussion are also welcome in Arabic)
Target Audience:
This workshop is designed for:
- Experienced filmmakers and industry professionals interested in cross-cultural collaboration, international co-productions, and practical case studies
- Aspiring filmmakers at the beginning of their journey
- Film students (undergraduate or postgraduate) seeking insights beyond the classroom
- Amateur filmmakers who have experimented with short films or scripts and wish to learn about feature filmmaking
- Film enthusiasts with a strong interest in storytelling, production, and the behind-the-scenes process of cinema.
Eligibility Criteria
- No prior professional filmmaking experience required—only genuine interest in film creation
- Experienced filmmakers and professionals are equally welcome to join and share in the cross-cultural exchange
- Maximum 30 participants to ensure an interactive and engaging session.
How to Apply
- Fill out the application form Click Here
- Provide:
- Full name and contact details
- A short statement (max. 150 words) addressing:
- Why you would like to attend this masterclass
- Your interest in or experience with filmmaking (if any)
- If yes, please share your portfolio
- Application deadline: Wednesday 17.09.2025
- Selected participants will be notified by email.
Wednesday 24-09-2025
The Journey of Yalla Parkour
Co-productions and funds in Sweden and Europe.
Description & Objectives:
In this workshop, we will explore the life of a film project from its early conception to its international festival journey, with a focus on navigating European funding and co-production opportunities, in addition to festivals.
Using the award-winning documentary Yalla Parkour as a case study, participants will gain insight into how a creative idea transforms into a completed film, and how filmmakers can access resources, networks, and partnerships in Sweden and across Europe.
Organizer:
Areeb Zuaiter is a multinational filmmaker based in Washington, D.C. Her work focuses on art, identity, and social issues. She holds an MA in Film and Video from American University. Zuaiter’s work has been nominated at film festivals around the world. Zuaiter previously worked with the Associated Press and as a Goldman Sachs Film and Video Fellow at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. Zuaiter led the Regional Training Department at the Royal Film Commission – Jordan, and taught at several universities in Washington, DC. In addition to working on her films, Zuaiter heads the programming department at the Amman International Film Festival (AIFF). Yalla Parkour is her debut feature film.
Date & Time:
24 September 2025
13:00-15:00
Venue:
The Royal Film Commission
Language:
English
Target Audience:
This workshop is designed for:
1. Producers and creatives with projects, exploring co-production with Sweden or Europe.
2. Aspiring and emerging filmmakers in Jordan and the region seeking guidance on international opportunities.
3. Film students who want to learn practical skills beyond the classroom.
4. Cultural managers and film enthusiasts interested in the funding landscape and festival circuit.
Eligibility Criteria:
• Participants must be aged 18 or above.
• No prior professional filmmaking experience required, but a genuine interest in film creation is essential.
• Minimum of 15 participants to ensure an interactive and engaging session.
How to Apply?
To apply for this masterclass:
- Fill out the application form click here
- Include:
- Name
- Contacts and email.
- IMDB page.
- LinkenIN page.
- Do you have any ongoing projects on development?
- Interested in coproduction with Sweden and/or European coproductions?
- Why would you like to join this masterclass?
Saturday 27-09-2025
A FILM IS BORN
How does a film begin? How it materialises and what happens next?
Description & Objectives:
In this Masterclass we will discuss how a film is made, from the moment it is conceived to the day it is distributed to the cinemas, with the intention to give a fair and honest account of the complex processes involved and the many challenges encountered – creative, financial and moral.
Using the movie LISTEN as an example we will describe the fascinating – and yet difficult and at times disheartening – journey from inspiration to materialisation to presentation to the audience.
Organiser:
Maria Douza is a Greek writer – director of fiction films, documentaries and commercials.
Date & Time:
27 September 2025
11.00 – 12.30
Venue:
The Royal Film Commission
Language:
English
Target Audience:
This workshop is designed for:
- Aspiring filmmakers who are at the beginning of their journey.
- Film students (undergraduate or postgraduate) seeking practical insights beyond the classroom.
- Amateur filmmakers who have experimented with short films or scripts and want to understand the full process of making a feature film.
- Film enthusiasts with a strong interest in storytelling, production, and the behind-the-scenes process of cinema
Eligibility Criteria:
- Participants must be aged 18 or above.
- No prior professional filmmaking experience required, but a genuine interest in film creation is essential.
- Maximum 30 participants to ensure an interactive and engaging session.
How to Apply?
To apply for this masterclass:
- Fill out the application form click here
- Include:
- Full Name & Contact Details
- A brief statement (max 150 words) on:
- Why you want to attend this masterclass
- Your interest or experience in filmmaking (if any)
- Deadline for applications: 20th of September
- Selected participants will be notified via email.
Tuesday 30-09-2025
A Personal Journey of a Filmmaker
We Dare to Dream By Waad Al-Kateab
Description & Objectives:
In this workshop, Waad will take us through her personal journey as a filmmaker. She will discuss the creative challenges involved in telling personal and politically charged stories and share insights from her experience working on internationally acclaimed films. Through behind-the-scenes reflections and production choices, Waad will highlight the emotional and narrative power of representing displaced voices on screen. This session will inspire you to think about the role of storytelling in the fight for justice.
Organizer:
- Waad Al-Kateab: an Oscar®-nominated Syrian filmmaker and activist known for her powerful storytelling on displacement, resilience, and justice. Her second feature documentary, We Dare to Dream (2023), spotlights refugee Olympic hopefuls and premiered at Tribeca Film Festival, winning the Grand Prize Documentary Award at the Heartland Film Festival. A former citizen journalist during the Syrian uprising and director of the acclaimed For Sama, Waad continues to advocate for refugees and survivors of conflict through film and her campaign, Action For Sama. Now based in the UK, she uses her platform to amplify unheard voices and call for accountability.
- Wael Al Faraj: One of the main characters of the documentary “We Dare to Dream”. A Syrian refugee and taekwondo athlete based in the UK. He was the first black belt from the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation’s Azraq Academy in Jordan and is an IOC Refugee Athlete Scholarship holder. Having competed internationally, Wael continues to pursue his dream of representing refugees at the Olympic Games, using taekwondo as a source of purpose and hope.
Date & Time:
30 September 2025
11.00 – 13.00
Venue:
The Royal Film Commission
Language:
Arabic & English
Target Audience:
This workshop is designed for:
• Aspiring filmmakers who are at the beginning of their journey.
• Film students (undergraduate or postgraduate) seeking practical insights beyond the classroom.
• Amateur filmmakers who have experimented with short films or scripts and want to understand the full process of making a feature film.
• Film enthusiasts with a strong interest in storytelling, production, and the behind-the-scenes process of cinema
Eligibility Criteria:
• Participants must be aged 18 or above.
• No prior professional filmmaking experience required, but a genuine interest in film creation is essential.
• Minimum of 15 participants to ensure an interactive and engaging session.
How to Apply?
To apply for this masterclass:
1. Send an email to (raya.alzubi@britishcouncil.org) quoting “ EUFF 2025 – We Dare to Dream Workshop “. Including:
o Full Name & Contact Details.
o Link to LinkedIn profile and/or biography.
2. Deadline for applications: September 24, 2025.
3. Selected participants will be notified via email.
In partnership with
