The Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan – represented by the Jordanian Acting Minister of Culture Adel Tweissi – and the Government of Canada – represented by the Canadian Ambassador to Jordan Peter MacDougall – signed yesterday in Amman an audiovisual coproduction treaty.
 
Recognizing that audiovisual coproduction treaties contribute to the development of concerned industries, foster economic and cultural exchanges, nurture cultural diversity, strengthen the free flow of ideas and grant benefits to parties involved in the audiovisual sector, the Royal Film Commission – Jordan (RFC) and Telefilm Canada have drafted this treaty, the first of its kind for Jordan.
 
The fourteen articles of this treaty detail conditions of its applicability, eligibility of beneficiaries, copyright and revenues of works produced and financial benefits. It is expected that audiences in both countries will have greater access to Jordanian and Canadian audiovisual works, while producers from both countries will enjoy economic advantages.
 
Commenting on this signing, Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the RFC, said: “We are delighted by the completion of this audiovisual coproduction treaty between the Governments of Jordan and Canada. It is the result of fruitful negotiations between the Royal Film Commission – Jordan and Telefilm Canada. Over the years, several award-winning Canadian movies were shot in Jordan, paving the way for such an agreement. We are confident this treaty will be beneficial to filmmakers in both countries. Being the first of its kind for Jordan, we hope it will encourage further coproduction treaties between Jordan and other countries.”
 
Ambassador MacDougall said: “The signing of the Audiovisual Coproduction Treaty represents a new step in Canada’s cultural relationship with Jordan, offering opportunities for enhanced production in this sphere.”
 
It is worth mentioning that the conclusion of this treaty came in the framework of a State visit by a high-level Canadian delegation headed by the Governor General of Canada, David Johnston who visited the Film House- RFC where he was welcomed by Prince Ali. A public screening of the feature narrative “Hyena Road” by Paul Gross – the most recent Canadian movie to be shot in Jordan – was organized by the RFC on Sunday 30th of October. It was followed by a discussion with the director, writer and actor Paul Gross and the producer Niv Fichman. It was attended by the Canadian delegation, Prince Ali, Canada’s Ambassador to Jordan as well as the film crew and local audience.