Young Voices Judge Films in Jordan

Level 1 (Iniciante – A2)

A special film festival in Jordan gave young people more than a seat in the audience. It gave them a voice. The fifth Jordan Children and Youth Film Festival ended on August 20, 2026. For seven days, families watched movies made for children and teenagers. The program included 13 feature films and 12 short films from 13 countries. Nearly 4,000 people attended events across Jordan.

Five children and teenagers formed a young jury. They watched the short films, discussed the stories, and chose a winner. They selected the Saudi film *The Gift: Hala's Grant*. The movie talks about bullying and how children can face difficult situations. The young judges said the story was clear and easy for different age groups to understand. They also gave a special mention to the Omani animated film *Star Catcher*.

The festival wanted to reach children outside the capital city, Amman. It held regional screenings in places such as Aqaba, Irbid, Salt, Madaba, and Mafraq. There were also activities at Zaatari Cinema inside Zaatari Camp, where Syrian refugee children could join the festival. After some movies, children talked with cinema professionals and shared their ideas.

The event also offered creative workshops about making short films, acting, makeup, and special effects. A new award supported two short-film scripts about the lives of young people in Jordan. These activities showed that children can be viewers, learners, creators, and decision-makers.

The festival created a shared experience for almost 4,000 visitors. This number shows attendance, but it does not prove a long-term educational result. Still, the young jury made one fact clear: adults were not the only people allowed to decide which stories were meaningful for children.