The “Filmi” program was launched by Generations for Peace with support from the Embassy of Ireland in partnership with Cinemagic
Amman – Generations for Peace and Cinemagic finished shooting the short film Seen last Tuesday, which began last Sunday and continued for three days.
The film Seen is the third production of the Filmi programme launched by Generations for Peace in July 2023, with support from the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of Ireland in Jordan, in partnership with the Belfast-based Cinemagic organisation.
The new film is the result of the hard work and dedication of 20 young male and female participants in the programme this year, who underwent intensive and specialised training covering various aspects of filmmaking, from scriptwriting and location selection to directing techniques and post-production, under the supervision of a select group of international cinema experts.
The Ambassador of Ireland to Jordan, Marianne Bolger, commented: “Once again, I am exceptionally proud that the Embassy was able to support youth in the creative industries in Jordan, along with our partners at Generations for Peace and Cinemagic, to bring the Filmi programme to fruition.”
She also said, “What continues to inspire me, especially in the third year of this collaboration, are the high levels of creativity, talent, and passion on display from our 20 young participants. From the early days of storyboarding and scriptwriting, all the way through to working on set, the participants have collaborated remarkably well to bring this story to our screens later in the year.”
“Furthermore, I am confident this will be another high-quality offering, which I greatly look forward to. Beyond providing exposure to the film industry, this programme also serves as a valuable opportunity for participants to build lasting relationships in pursuit of common goals, and this is what truly makes it so special. Everyone at the Embassy is incredibly proud to be part of this.”
For her part, Lama Hattab, CEO of Generations for Peace, affirmed that the continuation of the Filmi programme for the third consecutive year reflects a shared belief in the power of arts and media to drive positive change within communities and to empower youth to express their concerns through impactful creative tools.
Hattab expressed her pride in the outcome of this year’s collaboration, saying: “We are proud to see Seen as the result of the third partnership between Generations for Peace, the Irish Embassy in Jordan, and Cinemagic. We hope this collaboration continues in the coming years, as it has already made a tangible impact on participants and the wider community.”
She explained that the programme’s training focuses on equipping participants with filmmaking skills and storytelling techniques that reflect their local communities. Additionally, we teach them how film can be a powerful medium for positive change.
Hattab also stressed that Generations for Peace is committed to creating spaces for youth to express themselves, challenge negative societal norms, and lead transformation in their communities — values that are reflected in Seen.
Cinemagic CEO Joan Burney Keatings MBE reflected on the partnership, stating, “Cinemagic is proud to continue our work in the Middle East as we enter our third year. We are committed to delivering positive outcomes for young people and contributing to the strategic growth of Cinemagic, with invaluable support from the Irish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Irish Embassy in Jordan, and Generations for Peace.”
She continued, “The project’s goal is to inspire young people and help them develop new skills, empowering them in both practical filmmaking abilities and self-confidence. We also hope that this programme will strengthen relationships among individuals from different backgrounds as they learn from each other through film and the arts.”
The Filmi programme continues to be a platform for creative expression, youth empowerment, and intercultural dialogue — one that reflects the shared commitment of its partners to invest in the next generation of storytellers.
The film Seen addresses the social challenges and difficulties faced by many women in pursuing the sports they love and excel at, highlighting their journeys to overcome social norms, break barriers, and achieve their dreams.
