From the time capsule city of Jerash, for the first time, a genre festival is born: Jerash Genre International Film Festival, with a deliberate purpose to celebrate genre films and support filmmakers to connect, pitch, and engage in dialogue regionally and internationally.

Genre films are a gateway to unfamiliar worlds, where surrealism and abstraction question time, identity, and power, and make them concrete. They challenge the status quo and leave a lasting imprint on audiences to reflect.

Born in Jordan, the International Film Festival launches under the umbrella of the longstanding Jerash Festival, one of the region’s most established cultural events, held annually in the historic Roman city of Jerash. For its first edition, the festival extends from a musical legacy into cinema, introducing a new space for visual storytelling.

In dialogue with its surroundings, the festival is tied to Jordan’s layered cultural and historical heritage, where ancient architecture and open-air stages frame the cinematic experience, and it carries a dedicated focus. This year, the festival spotlights musical films in Egypt, recognizing its deep-rooted contribution to the genre and its legacy in regional music influence.

Beyond screenings, the festival provides a wide range of programs, seminars, a market, and workshops, offering opportunities for emerging and established genre filmmakers. It also creates networking opportunities to engage in pitching to sales agents, distributors, and co-production partners.

Jerash Genre International Film Festival aims to foster a regional and international space for collaboration where ideas, projects, and partnerships can grow in a safe and creative environment, one that encourages dialogue and learning to advance the language of genre cinema in the Arab region and worldwide.

*Competition Sections:

The festival presents a curated selection of genre films across the following competitive sections:
- Jordanian & Arab Feature Film Competition
- Open to genre feature films from Jordan and the Arab region.
- International Feature Film Competition

*Open to genre feature films from across the world.

*Short Film Competition
- Open to genre short films from Jordan, the Arab region, and internationally.

The festival hosts an industry platform positioned as a meeting point between regional and international film ecosystems, with a focus on connecting Arab genre filmmakers to broader global networks.

Genre Market (Exhibition Area)
A space for production companies, institutions, and industry platforms to present their work through booth installations. Details will be announced on the official website and social media channels.

Industry Days
A series of panels and conversations with Jordanian, regional, and international guest speakers, exploring genre cinema and its evolving role across different markets.

Project Development & Pitching Program
A selection of 12 genre projects (Jordanian, Arab, and international) will participate in a structured program including mentorship and pitch training, culminating in live presentations before an international jury. Selected projects will receive development awards.

Jordanian Short Film Support Program

Jordanian short film projects will be selected to pitch before a jury, with three projects receiving financial support towards production.

Jerash Genre Meetings
A dedicated platform for pre-scheduled one-to-one meetings between selected projects and invited industry professionals, including producers, sales agents, distributors, and financiers.
The meetings aim to support co-production, financing, and international circulation. Participation is based on selection and invitation.

*Access & Accreditation:

- Accreditation Access
Industry professionals and press may access designated festival areas and activities through accreditation.

- Public Access
Selected screenings, talks, and special events will be open to audiences through ticketed entry.

Awards & Prizes

The festival presents a range of jury and official awards across its competition sections.
Cash Awards (Jury Awards):
Best International Genre Feature Film
Best International / Arab Short Film
Best Jordanian / Arab Feature Film
(Cash prize amounts will be announced prior to the festival.)
Special Trophy Awards:
Best Director
Best Screenplay
Best Original Score / Music
In line with the 2026 edition’s focus on musical expression within genre cinema, particular attention will be given to the role of sound and composition in storytelling.
Films completed more than two years prior to the festival may be considered for Special Mention Awards outside the main competition.

Rules & Terms

The festival covers flights, accommodation, and local hospitality for directors of films selected in competition, excluding visa costs. If required, visas must be arranged by the participants themselves in order to enter Jordan.
For non-competitive participants, as well as those attending the market or industry days, the festival offers support through special rates with partner hotels.

Screening Format
Selected films must be available in a high-quality digital format suitable for festival screening. Detailed technical specifications will be shared upon selection.
Subtitles
Films not in English must include English subtitles.

1. General Eligibility
Jerash Genre International Film Festival accepts genre films of all styles and forms, including but not limited to horror, thriller, science fiction, fantasy, and hybrid genres.
Submissions are open to Jordanian, Arab, and international filmmakers.
Films must be submitted via FilmFreeway.
2. Completion Date
Films completed within the last two years are eligible for competition.
Films completed earlier may still be considered for non-competitive sections or Special Mention Awards.
3. Premiere Status
The festival does not require premiere status.
Films may have been previously screened or released.
4. Categories
Films must be submitted to the appropriate category:
Jordanian & Arab Feature Film
International Feature Film
Short Film
The festival reserves the right to reassign films to the most suitable section.
5. Selection Process
All submissions are reviewed by the festival’s programming team.
Selection is based on artistic quality, strength of vision, and engagement with genre as a cinematic language.
The decision of the festival selection committee is final.
6. Screening Format
Selected films must be available in high-quality digital screening format (details will be provided upon selection).
Films not in English must include English subtitles.
7. Awards
Awards are decided by an international jury.
Cash awards and official recognitions will be announced on the festival’s official channels.
Jury decisions are final and cannot be contested.
8. Industry Participation
Participation in industry activities (including pitching programs and meetings) is subject to separate selection and invitation.
Additional guidelines will be communicated to selected participants.
9. Submission Fees
Submission fees are non-refundable.
Fee waivers may be granted at the discretion of the festival.
10. Rights & Permissions
By submitting, the applicant confirms they hold all necessary rights to the film.
Selected films grant the festival the right to screen the work during the festival dates.
The festival may use excerpts (up to 30 seconds), stills, and press materials for promotional purposes.
11. Liability
While the festival takes all reasonable care, it is not liable for technical issues, damage, or loss of materials.
12. Acceptance of Terms
Submission to the festival implies full acceptance of these Rules & Terms.