Amman, Jordan, Jazz Capital of the Region Kicks off 5th Edition of the Amman Jazz Festival April 24 – May 1, 2016

Proud of our Jordanian partners who are working to promote the good of Jordan. This important region gives us hope for a better tomorrow and Jordan shows us that there is no better way to live life than to the fullest! Celebrate Jordan with me! warm regards, Sandy Dhuyvetter

The main stage performances will be taking place 24^th April thru 27^th April 2016 at Haya Cultural Centre, with side performances titled “Madina Jazz”. These smaller venues will be set up throughout the duration of the festival until the 1^st of May.  

Opening night, April 24, kicks off with Jordanian virtuoso, Ms. Farah Siraj. Ms Siraj is known as the “Norah Jones of the Middle East” by the New York Times. Ms. Farah Siraj balances a career that spans the United States, Europe and the Middle East, spreading the message of peace through her music and giving a voice to women and children around the world who are living in war and poverty.

The Festival is the single major event dedicated to Jazz in Jordan.

The Festival is the single major event dedicated to Jazz in Jordan. The goals of the festival are to attract musicians, attract new audiences and expand internationally all the while creating opportunities for sustainable cultural exchanges. The Festival celebrates diversity, cultural fusion, creativity, unity and dialogue. The event features international, regional and local Jazz musicians to present their artistry to the Jordanian audience. This year during the 5^th edition, the Amman Jazz Festival will be presenting different forms of Jazz music focusing on collaborations that reflect fresh new sounds.

The EU supports the Amman Jazz Festival

The EU supports the Amman Jazz Festival, with a special night being dedicated to presenting Jazz music from Europe on the 26^th of April at Haya Cultural Centre, under the name of “A Night of European Jazz” featuring REK Raed el Khazen & Daniele Camarda in a joint project bringing four musicians together from Lebanon and Italy, the German trumpet and piano player Sebastian Studnitzky in a solo piano performance of classical jazz, and NO Blues from the Netherlands which combines oriental Arabic roots with folk blues.

2016 Music Festivals adds to the already diverse Tourism offering in Jordan
Jordan looks at Music Festivals as an added value experience while touring the Kingdoms diverse cultural, adventure, eco-tourism and wellness choices.

Jordan tourism is appealing to a diverse traveller by offering Festivals throughout the 2016 calendar year and hopes to continue to attract new and young visitors to the Kingdom. “Jordan is a jewel, full of talented entertainers, amazing foods, and terrific sites” says Mona Naffa, of Monaco Business Development a company that creates Campaigns to share the ‘positive of Jordan. Ms Naffa added, “Petra, the new Wonder of the World, along with the music scene in the Kingdom is on the must do list.

MFunded by the European Union, which is implemented by the EU National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC) in Jordan whose members include: the British Council, Instituto Cervantes, Institut Francais, Goethe Institute, Embassy of Greece, Embassy of Romania and Societa Dante Alighieri. In Partnership with: the Netherlands Embassy in Jordan, Al Mawred Al Thaqafi, Haya Cultural Center and Fonds Podium FPK

Farah Siraj (Jordan/Spain)

Ms Farah Siraj currently leads an ethnically diverse quintet of “Arabian Flamenco Jazz” (Rolling Stone Magazine), embracing the music of the Middle East, Spain and the United States.  Farah's releases include her album NOMAD (funded personally by His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan), The Arabian Jazz Project (landing Farah to be chosen as one of New York's “Stars of Jazz”) and her latest release, Dunya. Farah has shared the stage with India's most renowned composer, A.R. Rahman, performing Zariya live on MTV.

Farah Siraj (Voice & Flamenco Guitar), Tareq Jundi (Oud), Munther Jaber (Bass), Maher Hanhan (Percussion/Drums), special appearance by Kamal Musallam (Oriental Guitar), and special guest Rami Attallah (Piano). www.farahsiraj.com 

Rami Attallah Group presenting Shokran Jazzilan (Egypt)

'Shokran Jazzilan’ is an Egyptian Jazz project that has a unique sound which aims at preserving the beauty of Egyptian melody accompanied by oud within a jazz context. The project founder Rami Attallah, has been heavily influenced by his late grandfather Labib Henien, the founder of jazz in Egypt in the 1960s. Rami Attallah grew up absorbing jazz from bebop to bossa nova to swing. This newly formed unique project has the qualities of being acknowledged as a world class entity fit enough to be part of jazz festivals worldwide.

The ‘Shokran Jazzilan’ album was released in 2014 at the Cairo Jazz Festival under the slogan “When Pharaohs Play Jazz” and was a best seller at Virgin Megastores in Egypt. The project was performed in many renowned venues in Cairo.

Rami Attallah (Piano and Composition), Mohamed Abozekry (Oud), Ehab Tass (Bass), Muhammad Raafat (Drums). www.RamiAttallah.com

NO Blues (Netherlands)

NO blues is the crossroad where folk-blues and Arabic music meet. In 2004 Anne-Maarten van Heuvelen (double bass/ lead vocals), Haytham Safia (Oud, Arabic lute/ lead vocals) and Ad van Meurs (guitar/ lead vocals), got together to combine American folk blues and traditional Arabic music. Completing the line-up in the first recording sessions, NO Blues is joined by Osama Meleegi (percussion/ lead vocals). After ten years on the road, gigs from India to Mexico, and six successful album releases, the band that combines two different is still going strong.

The NO blues fan base grows every day by people who hear the band for the first time and are moved by what seems impossible. www.noblues.nl   

REK (Lebanon/Italy)

Beirut-born Raed El-Khazen is a seasoned, versatile guitarist who has, in the past 20 years, accumulated a portfolio that has catapulted him from a local guitar celebrity in the mid 90’s to one of the most prolific producers/composers/guitarists in the Arab world today.

During his time at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Raed met a great musician who he still collaborates with to this day; Daniele Camarda. Their musical partnership started in 1998 in the school’s rehearsal rooms and continues to grow globally, Eighteen years later, their current project is a combination of their love for the American songbook and their vision to always give any material a personal twist, producing a sound that is both fed by their present experiences and fueled by works of the past.

REK: Jazz Standards with a Mediterranean Flair! Joining them on this venture is Italian drummer Carmine Casciello and Lebanese trumpet player Walid Sadek.

www.raedkhazen.com / www.danielecamarda.info  

Studnitzky Ky (Germany)

Studnitzky has always been moving between the realms of jazz, classical and electronic music. In his unique music not a single note is superfluous. It is detailed, minimalistic and transparent, yet it displays an emotional depth which is uniquely personal. STUDNITZKY is already an internationally acclaimed performer of the highest level on both trumpet and piano.

In 2012 he founded Contemplate, his own record label and network. In 2014 he initiated the XJAZZ Festival Berlin and took charge as its musical director. It immediately became Berlin’s largest jazz festival and turned the German jazz scene on its head. Since September 2014 Sebastian Studnitzky has been a professor for Jazz-trumpet at the Dresden University of Music.

Sebastian Studnitzky (Trumpet, Piano), Laurenz Karsten (Guitar), Paul Kleber (Bass), Tim Sarhan (Drums).

www.studnitzky.de

Noha Fekry (Egypt)

Noha Fekry is an Egyptian singer, songwriter and composer. Noha first appeared as one of the two front singers of the Riff band, one of the leading Jazz/oldies bands in Egypt. Fekry's genres of focus have been Jazz and Arabic Jazz and her first album was released in May 2015 entitled "A Conversation", a duo Jazz album with pianist Rami Attallah.

She is currently working on her second album with her newest musical project "Janan", an alternative rock band. 

Noha received vocal training with renowned Opera Singers Dr. Sobhi Bidair and Dr. Raouf Zidan and is currently an understudy pianist with Mr. Rashad Fahim.

Noha Fekry (Vocals), Rami Attallah (Piano and Composition), Ehab Tass (Bass), Muhammad Raafat (Drums)

The Amman Jazz Festival is produced by Orange Red Productions
For Information: Lama Hazboun

Orange Red Productions:  +962795351812

Media Contacts:
Monaco Business Development

Jordan  Mona Naffa

naffamona@yahoo.com

US press Representative: 
TravelTalkRADIO, TravelTalkMEDIA
Sandy Dhuyvetter
sandy@traveltalkmedia.com

Aman Jazz Festival: www.ammanjazzfestival.com  

24/4	8 PM	Haya Cultural Centre	Farah Siraj (Jordan/Spain) – JD 20
25/4	8 PM	Haya Cultural Centre	Rami Attallah Group presenting Shokran Jazzilan (Egypt) – JD 5
26/4	8 PM	Haya Cultural Centre	A Night of European Jazz REK |Sebastian Studnitzky| NO Blues (Lebanon/Italy |Germany |Netherlands) FREE ENTRY
27/4	8 PM	Haya Cultural Centre	Studnitzky -KY- (Germany) – JD 5

Amman Jazz Festival – Main Stage Program (24 – 27 April)

Amman Jazz Festival - Madina Jazz Program (22 April – 1 May)

22/4	9 PM	Maestro Late Night Jazz	The Jazz Group  -  guest Kamal Musallam (Jordan)
24/4	9 PM	Corner’s Pub	Rami Attallah Group presenting Shokran Jazzilan (Egypt)
25/4	9 PM	Blue Fig	NO Blues (Netherland)
	6:30 PM	Maestro Late Night Jazz	Jazz Clinic by REK (Italy/Lebanon)
	9 PM	Maestro Late Night Jazz	Studnitzky – KY #irtijalat Jam sessions with local musicians
26/4	9 PM	Maestro Late Night Jazz	Rami Attallah Group presenting Shokran Jazzilan (Egypt)
27/4	9:30 PM	Trader Vic’s	Noha Fekry Jazz Quartet (Egypt)
	9 PM	Maestro Late Night Jazz	REK (Italy/Lebanon)
28/4	7:30 PM	Shoman Foundation	NO Blues (Netherland)
	9 PM	Maestro Late Night Jazz	Noha Fekry Jazz Quartet (Egypt)
29/4	9 PM	Maestro Late Night Jazz	NO Blues (Netherland)
30/4	9 PM	Blue Fig	Noha Fekry Jazz Quartet (Egypt)
1/5	7:30 PM	The Boulevard	Noha Fekry Jazz Quartet (Egypt)

Jordanian Healthy Habits Campaign Launches Environmental Awareness and Dental Hygiene Program in Orphanages

My friends and partners in Jordan are creating miracles when it comes to getting visibility and attracting great crowds to some spectacular events. Now they take it a step further by investing in the youth of Jordan. Let's support this wonderful country one that we call The Switzerland of the Middle East . . . Sandy Dhuyvetter

Amman, Jordan– March 08th, 2016 –The Monaco Team Tackles Trash and Teeth.   Monaco Business Development, the creators of the Healthy Habits Campaign, a hands-on Educational and Reward Campaign that educates Jordanian youth, their mothers and guardians are using the expertise of leaders and partners in the fields of simple life skills.

During the research and investigation phase, the Monaco team visited several Orphanage homes and learned that the subject of dental and oral hygiene is greatly neglected. More research found that there are alarming statistics showing low sales of tooth brushes and toothpaste throughout the country.

In addition to the need for more dental awareness there was a request by most of the orphanage houses for recycle and environment awareness education. The reason was clear as most view the upcoming generation as the generation to change Jordan’s litter problem. Mona Naffa, Director of Monaco Business Development added, “we often see images in the media taken after a lovely warm day outing that speaks for itself. We are proud to be taking on this challenge and feel confident that with the continued support of our partners we can help change the habits of our youth to reflect healthy lifestyles and good decision making.“

The Healthy Habits Campaign includes two aspects to the training. One is a hands-on training component and support for teachers and the other is several months of education for the youth and their guardians which will end this coming May. At the end of May a reward is offered  to those who complete the educational phase successfully, with a fun day at the Dead Sea which includes team building, sports, and a healthy lunch. The Monaco Team will continue additional rounds of funding to support more kids after summer and the reward to follow in October/November with the Campaign ending December 2016.

The Healthy Habits Campaign is made possible by the support of Sponsors including Mercedes Benz, Dar Al-Handaseh,  Masr United, Nuqul Automotive, Ahli Bank, Maher Kaddoura,  Ultra Water and Partners:  Lamar Dental Center and Colgate,  Al-Ajial Recycle Company, and Jordan Pioneers, all who understand the importance of educating and investing in the Youth of Jordan.

Ms. Mona Naffa, Director of Monaco Business Development and team are proud to be taking on this project and are very grateful for the assistance of their Partners and Sponsors.  Ms. Naffa remarked, “We only fail if we don’t try.  Together we can make a difference and it all starts with educating our youth one child at a time.”
 

The Monaco Team is seeking continued support to educate the youths and will  pursue corporate and individual sponsorship funding.  Please contact, the Monaco Team for further inquiries.

Media Contacts:

Jordan

Mona Naffa: +962796600962  naffamona@yahoo.com

Barbara Kamal +962779691000 babekamal@yahoo.co

US Press:  Sandy Dhuyvetter

US Press: sandy@traveltalkmedia.com

 January to December 2016 Healthy Habits 

USA TODAY Announces Airline Ambassadors International (AAI) Hero Force was voted one of the top 10 best gift ideas for Business Travelers.

USA Today awards: 

A panel of experts picked the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote. Experts Sarah Cloninger (Road Warriorette), Sandy Dhuyvetter (TravelTalkMEDIA), Christopher Elliott (USA TODAY), Rob Hard (Business Travel Destinations) and Lydia Schrandt (10Best Editor) were chosen based on their extensive business travel experience.

USA TODAY Announces Airline Ambassadors International (AAI) Hero Force was voted one of the top 10 best gift ideas for Business Travelers.

Airline Ambassadors International (AAI) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization helping children worldwide.

Washington DC – USA TODAY announced Airlines Ambassadors International was recognized as one of the top best gift ideas for Business Travelers. http://www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-gift-for-business-travelers/ Voters were impressed with the opportunity of giving the gift of paying it forward in the name of a business Traveler. The hero force program allows an individual to contribute monthly at three different levels. Contributions support Airline Ambassadors work helping orphans and vulnerable children worldwide. http://airlineamb.org/eforms/hero-force/

“This is a great gift for the person who everything. It’s also a great way to show compassion and gratitude, ” said president and founder of Airline Ambassadors, Nancy Rivard. “We hope that today on Global Giving Tuesday shoppers and contributors will come to the Web site and join the AAI Hero Force”.

Tuesday, December 1, 2015, #GIVINGTUESDAY, 12/1

About Airline Ambassadors International (AAI)
Airline Ambassadors International (AAI) helps orphans and vulnerable children worldwide by leveraging connections with the airline industry towards humanitarian service.
Volunteers escort children for life changing medical care, hand deliver humanitarian aid to children in orphanages, clinics and remote communities, and advocate and educate on child protection and human trafficking awareness.

About the USA Today awards:
A panel of experts picked the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote. Experts Sarah Cloninger (Road Warriorette), Sandy Dhuyvetter (TravelTalkMEDIA), Christopher Elliott (USA TODAY), Rob Hard (Business Travel Destinations) and Lydia Schrandt (10Best Editor) were chosen based on their extensive business travel experience.
10Best and USA TODAY extend their congratulations to all the winners.

The top 10 winners in the category Best Gift for Business Travelers are as follows:

1. Lo & Sons OG Overnight Bag
2. Personalized Royce Nappa Leather Luggage Tags
3. Knomad Portable Organizer
4. Molton Brown Travel Luxuries Set
5. Incase City Brief
6. Airline Ambassadors Hero Force
7. Jackery Mini
8. GoToob
9. Genius Pack 22" Carry On Spinner
10. Mujjo Leather Wallet Case for iPhone
    
    

Jordan Uses Its Only Natural Resources to Promote Tourism

I have been writing stories around this innovative event. Personally, I love these mud and salt products and have been using them for over a year now. I am thrilled that Odalisque is sponsoring our good friends in Jordan....Sandy Dhuyvetter

Odalisque, Jordan’s Supplier of Therapeutic Muds and Salts is

Instrumental in World Record Breaking Event at the Dead Sea Jordan

Amman, Jordan - Odalisque Therapeutic Muds and Salts, a subsidiary of  Numeira Mixed Salts and Mud Company   located in Jordan is celebrating a victory with their latest partnership with Monaco Business Development and  Ziyad Mazzawi Corporation as the Guinness World Records acknowledges the longest Slip and Slide at the Dead Sea Jordan. 

The worlds’ longest slip and slide began its tour of Jordan with a launch at the Dead Sea, Jordan, October 17^th. The event took place at the lowest spot on earth which is 420 meters below sea level.
The slide will tour Jordan offering rides to those who want to be part of the historic tour.

Odalisque represents products that use the only natural resources Jordan produces in the Dead Sea which are the salt and mud. In the salt and mud, life changing minerals are found representing magnesium, bromide, iodine, sulfur, potassium, and calcium.

Odalisque General Manager, Ismail Daqour was thrilled about the outcome of the latest Guinness World Record and said, ‘We could not be happier for our country of Jordan, this wonderful country of ours deserves to be hailed as a family fun destination. This kind of event proves that Jordan is a world class tourism destination and appropriate for every age group. We are also thrilled that Odalisque could be highlighted throughout the event as a natural and therapeutic product that can make life better.”

Odalisque is no stranger to supporting Jordanian events; others include the "Largest Floating Human Image" of a peace sign and the Dead Sea Mud Festival held in 2014.

For ticket  and tour information go to the Slip and Slide Jordan site:     www.Slidejordan.com

About Odalisque
Odalisque is the retail line of products from the Numeira Mixed Salts and Mud Company.  Numeira Mixed Salts and Mud Company was established in 1997 under the Arab Potash Company (APC) with exclusive rights to extract and utilize Dead Sea minerals and materials. The Dead Sea Jordan is known as one of the world's first health resorts due to its high concentration of salt and containing 21 minerals, 12 of which cannot be found in any other body of water on Earth!

About the Dead Sea Jordan

The Dead Sea Jordan is a beautiful setting for outstanding Resorts and award-winning Spas. It is the home of the only World Class Conference and Convention Center managed by Hilton, at the lowest spot on earth. The conference center is supported by surrounding International Brands which include Marriott Hotel Jordan Valley Resort and Spa, Dead Sea Spa Hotel, Movenpick Resort and Spa Dead Sea, and the Winter Valley Warwick Resort and Spa. 

About Slide Jordan
Monaco Business Development and Ziyad Mazzawi Corporation have created an event known as Slide Jordan, the World's Longest Slip and Slide. The slide is manufactured in Jordan by Jordanians and supported by Jordanian sports brand, TOL Clothing.  The campaign is designed to highlight Jordan as a ‘cool and fun destination’ encouraging tourism to the Kingdom.

Jordan Slides into the Record Book One More Time

Jordan Slides into the Record Book One More Time

Guinness World Records acknowledges the longest Slip and Slide at the Dead Sea Jordan

Amman, Jordan - Monaco Business Development and Ziyad Mazzawi Corporation announced today the successful record breaking event called Slide Jordan at the unveiling of the 611 meter (over 1/3 of a mile) Slip and Slide at the Dead Sea Jordan.   Guinness World Records representatives at the event also acknowledged the longest Slip and Slide at the Dead Sea Jordan with another record breaking award given to the region.

The first record breaking award was given to another Monaco Business Development  and  Ziyad Mazzawi Corporation event at the Dead Sea just a year ago with the largest floating human image in the world on October 30^th 2014. The event was also witnessed by a Guinness World Record Representative and chosen  in the 2016 Guinness World Record book.

Mona Naffa, President of Monaco Business Development and director of the project said, “We are thrilled with the outcome of this amazing project, it truly highlights Jordan as a family fun destination. We want the world to know that life in Jordan is filled with joy and innovation. We also want to welcome visitors to come and experience first-hand the kindness of Jordan”.  Ms  Naffa went on to say ‘We could not have accomplished this feat without the support of sponsors like Orange Jordan. Orange Jordan is the backbone of communications in Jordan and we know that our visitors to Jordan will be happy with our communication standards largely due to Orange Jordan and their world class offerings’.

Slide Jordan opens at the Dead Sea Oct 17 and more information can be found at www.slidejordan.com

Other significant supporters include Al Markaziyah the sole distributor of Toyota Motors, Queen Alia International Airport, Numeira Mixed Salts and Mud Company, The Jordan Express Tourist Transportation Company (JETT).”

Slide Jordan also welcomes sponsorship from Fitness First Health and Wellness Clubs and the Coca Cola Bottling Company. Doculand and Buffalo Wings & Rings, where the belief that ‘Happiness is contagious’, also shared the love of slip and sliding by supporting the event.

And very important to the event is Treasury for Conference Equipment and Watania, one of Jordan’s first insurance companies in the Kingdom. Media support was given by Roya TV, Jordan TV, and Spin Radio”.

About Slide Jordan
Monaco Business Development and Ziyad Mazzawi Corporation have created an event known as Slide Jordan, the World's Longest Slip and Slide. The slide is manufactured in Jordan by Jordanians and supported by Jordanian sports brand, TOL Clothing.  The campaign is designed to highlight Jordan as a ‘cool and fun destination’ encouraging tourism to the Kingdom.

Odalisque Therapeutic Muds and Salts Sponsors Third Significant Event at Dead Sea Jordan

World’s Longest Slip and Slide Made by Jordanians at Dead Sea will be Unveiled to the Public in mid-October 

October 8th 2015 Amman, Jordan - Monaco Business announced this week that Odalisque Therapeutic Muds and Salts, a subsidiary of the Numeira Company located in Jordan will be a major sponsor of the Slide Jordan Campaign.  

The worlds’ longest slip and slide will begin its tour of Jordan with a launch at the Dead Sea, Jordan October 17^th. The event will take place at the lowest spot on earth, Dead Sea Jordan, 420 meters below sea level.  The slide built on the grounds of the Dead Sea Spa Hotel which was the first hotel built on the shores of the Dead Sea in 1989 was chosen as the practice and testing grounds for the slide keeping the message of supporting local talent and manufacturing.

Mona Naffa, president of Monaco Business Development and organizer of the event said, ‘It is a natural pairing of Jordan’s finest enterprises and entrepreneurs, as we incorporate products with natural and healthy minerals produced by Odalisque. It really doesn’t get better. We have the ingenuity of Jordan’s finest talents attempting to break a world record and of course, we are incorporating a message about the destination that offers complete relaxation in a world class resorts. This will be a truly memorable experience in a most welcoming country.”

Odalisque General Manager, Ismail Daqour is optimistic about the partnership with the creative forces saying, “We are delighted to continue supporting endeavors that help tell the real story of Jordan and highlight human ingenuity as well as the natural resources in our region. Monaco Business Development has done an excellent job in bringing together other fine events that we have supported like the 1st annual Dead Sea Mud Festival held in 2014. We continued our support celebrating Jordan's source of natural resources:  the Muds, Salts and healing Sea, in the message of Peace via the Guinness World Record "Largest Floating Human Image". We are looking forward to this next event and hope to continue attracting visibility for our fine products.”

For information on tickets to the Slip and Slide at the Dead Sea on October 17, 2017
Go to: www.Slidejordan.com

To view 40 second video on Dead Sea Go to: https://traveltalkmedia.smugmug.com/Other/DEADSEA2015/i-Jw38Lds

About Odalisque:
Odalisque is the retail line of products from the Numeira Mixed Salts and Mud Company.  Numeira Mixed Salts and Mud Company was established in 1997 under the Arab Potash Company (APC) with exclusive rights to extract and utilize Dead Sea minerals and materials. The Dead Sea Jordan is known as one of the world's first health resorts due to its high concentration of salt and containing 21 minerals, 12 of which cannot be found in any other body of water on Earth!

About the Dead Sea Jordan:

The Dead Sea Jordan is a beautiful setting for outstanding Resorts and award-winning Spas. It is the home of the only World Class Conference and Convention Center managed by Hilton, at the lowest spot on earth. The conference center is supported by surrounding International Brands which include Marriott Hotel Jordan Valley Resort and Spa, Dead Sea Jordan, Movenpick Resort and Spa Dead Sea, and the Winter Valley Warwick Resort and Spa. 

  

MEDIA CONTACT:
Sandy Dhuyvetter
US Press: sandy@traveltalkmedia.com
or Mona Naffa Email: mona@monacojo.com
or naffamona@yahoo.com
Phone: +962796600962
FB: Destination Jordan 

Filmed in Jordan: “The Martian” and Six Other Films Debut at the Toronto

Seven feature-length narrative movies shot in Jordan, including Ridley Scott’s “The Martian,” starring Matt Damon, will take part in the 40th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival. Kicking off today, the festival runs from September 10th to the 20th. The Toronto International Film Festival will showcase 256 features from 71 countries. Selected from more than 5,600 submissions from around the world, these seven films showcase what Jordan has to offer to cinematographers and travellers alike. 

This is the first time that this number of films shot in Jordan have found their way to an international festival in the same year. Amongst them is Director Ridley Scott’s latest science fiction movie, “The Martian,” starring Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain and Kristin Wiig. Scott spent eight days filming in the stunning lunar landscape of Wadi Rum in Jordan and the movie has already been released with success in theaters. Three films being featured are Arab dramas, all partially or entirely shot in Jordan. These include the biographical film “The Idol” by award-winning Palestinian Director Hany Abu Assad, the Palestinian drama “3000 Nights” by Mai Masri and the first feature by Gazan brothers Tarzan and Arab Nasser, “Dégradé”.

Finally, the three featured action movies “Kilo Two Bravo (Kajaki)” by British Director Paul Katis, the Canadian “Hyena Road” by Paul Gross and the Austrian “Thank you for Bombing” by Barbara Eder are set in Afghanistan and were filmed in various parts of the Kingdom of Jordan.

“Foreign productions are attracted to Jordan not only for the variety of its locations but also for its well-developed infrastructure, the absence of ‘red tape’ and the availability of skilled cast and crew,” said George David, General Manager of the Royal Film Commission (RFC). He noted that “tourism is hugely and positively affected by a movie shot in Jordan, as millions of viewers are encouraged to visit a country they see on screen; hence the importance of close cooperation between the RFC and the Jordan Tourism Board (JTB).”

“Film Tourism is an important market for Jordan; following in the footsteps of films like ‘Lawrence of Arabia’, ‘Indiana Jones’ and now ‘The Martian’ help make the scenes come alive,” said Malia Asfour, Director of the Jordan Tourism Board North America (JTBNA). “It is an important segment for us and we are excited to work with the travel trade on new itineraries and ideas for their travellers.” Toronto International Film Festival is certainly an excellent opportunity to promote Jordan as a cinematic and tourist destination for all it offers.