Cinema Reopening at Za’atari Refugee Camp

UNICEF and the French Embassy in partnership with the French Institute in Jordan and the Royal Film Commission of Jordan announced the reopening of the cinema at Al-Za’atari Refugee Campon Wednesday, 10 July 2024. The event, organized in partnership with the Amman International Film Festival – Awal Film, featured the screening of Jordan's first feature-length animation film "Saleem”.

Mr. Philippe Duamelle, UNICEF Representative to Jordan, remarked, "Today marks a special occasion as we reopen the cinema in Al-Za’atari refugee camp. In a place where recreational and cultural activities for children are scarce, the importance of bringing back the power of cinema to support their education, awareness, and entertainment cannot be overstated.” 

“Today we reopen not only the doors of a building, but to a world of imagination, learning, and laughter for children. This was made possible through a partnership established with the French Embassy, the French Institute in Jordan, and the Royal Film Commission, whom we are grateful to for their support,” he concluded.

Originally opened in October 2019 as a partnership between UNICEF and the French association “Lumière à Zaatari”, the 114-seat cinema was closed in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Four years later and thanks to a funding from the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, the refurbishment work has been completed and the cinema is now ready to host film screenings, as well as cultural and educational activities for children and their families.

H.E.  Alexis Le Cour Grandmaison, French Ambassador to Jordan declared, “For 13 years, France remains committed to supporting Syrians and host countries of refugees. This support focuses primarily on the humanitarian field, but also encompasses culture.”

He added, “We are delighted that funding from the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs can bring this incredible place back to life. For the coming year, the Institut français de Jordanie will offer a rich and varied programme of cinematic, cultural and educational events at Al-Zaatari cinema”. 

Mr. Mohannad Al-Bakri, Managing Director of the Royal Film Commission, stated “We are pleased to be partners in reopening the Za’atari Cinema Project, as it is consistent with our approach at the Royal Film Commission, which is to provide a cinematic platform for everyone, specifically groups that do not have a cultural outlet of this kind, as is the case in the Zaatari refugee camp.” 

“We hope that the results of this project will give an opportunity for the audience, especially children, to learn about concepts related to cinema and narrative. We also hope that the training programmes in the project will be a platform to showcase talents from within Za’atari camp that will result in cinematic stories that the world will see in the future,” he added.

The movie "Saleem" was introduced by director Cynthia Madanat Sharaiha and producer Shadi Sharaiha on this occasion and was received with great enthusiasm by the children, demonstrating the cinema's impact on their lives.