First-ever Jordanian film to compete at Cannes Critics’ Week unveiled as ‘Inshallah Walad’

"Inshallah Walad" is directed by Jordanian filmmaker Amjad Al-Rasheed. (RFC)
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Updated 20 April 2023
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First-ever Jordanian film to compete at Cannes Critics’ Week unveiled as ‘Inshallah Walad’

  • Feature film "Inshallah Walad" shot in Amman will compete in Cannes Critics’ Week

AMMAN: The Royal Film Commission – Jordan has announced on Monday that “Inshallah Walad” will be the first Jordanian film to compete in the Cannes Film Festival this May. 

The feature film, directed by Amjad Al-Rasheed, has been chosen to compete in Cannes Critics’ Week, a subsidiary event that will run alongside the 76th edition of the festival. 

The feature film, titled “Inshallah a Boy” in English, portrays the narrative of a young widow, Nawal, and her daughter, who are about to lose their home. 

“Nawal is trapped and deprived of options, but she decides to fight back,” the RFC said. 

The 90-minute film was shot last year in the Jordanian capital Amman over the course of five weeks. It received a Jordan Film Fund and RFC production grant in 2019, as well as a post-production grant in 2022. 

The film also benefited from financial advantages reserved for Jordanian productions, according to the RFC. 

“Jordanian filmmakers are reaching new horizons with their passion, perseverance and talent,” RCF Managing Director Mohannad Al-Bakri said. 

“They are now telling their stories to the world, and Cannes is the most sought-after platform for this,” he added.

Muna Hawa, Haitham Al-Omari, Salwa Nakkara, Yumna Marwan, Mohammed AI-Jizawi, and Eslam Al-Awadi will star in the film. 


‘One Battle,’ ‘Hamnet’ claim top prizes at Golden Globes

Updated 12 January 2026
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‘One Battle,’ ‘Hamnet’ claim top prizes at Golden Globes

  • Timothee Chalamet wins male actor award
  • Jessie Buckley gets trophy for film ‘Hamnet’

LOS ANGELES: The 83rd Golden Globe Awards has offered a clear reflection of a year defined by range, ambition and strong creative voices across film and television.

Dark comedy “One Battle After Another” and “Hamnet,” a story about William Shakespeare’s grief over the death of his son, claimed the top prizes on ​Sunday at one of the first major ceremonies in Hollywood’s annual awards season.

Leonardo DiCaprio at the Golden Globe Awards. (Supplied)

The film “One Battle” was named best movie musical or comedy, one of its four Globe honors, and “Hamnet” earned the best drama prize.

Timothee Chalamet triumphed in one of the most competitive categories, taking the trophy for best male actor in a movie musical or comedy for his role as a professional table tennis player in “Marty Supreme.”

Chalamet defeated “One Battle” star Leonardo DiCaprio, “Jay Kelly” actor George Clooney and other big names at the red-carpet ceremony in Beverly Hills, California. “This category is stacked. I look up to all of you,” Chalamet said to his fellow nominees.

The acting categories highlighted established and international talent. Wagner Moura’s win for “The Secret Agent” marked a significant moment, underscoring the Globes’ continued openness to global storytelling.

The film “Hamnet” imagines how Shakespeare and his ⁠wife dealt with the death of their 11-year-old son, whose name was Hamnet. Some historians believe Hamnet’s death inspired the playwright to produce “Hamlet.”

Irish actor Jessie Buckley ‌won best female actor in a movie drama for playing Shakespeare’s wife, ‍Agnes Hathaway. (Supplied)

Irish actor Jessie Buckley ‌won best female actor in a movie drama for playing Shakespeare’s wife, ‍Agnes Hathaway.

Beyond traditional categories, the awards also reflected a broader cinematic landscape. “Sinners” claimed the Cinematic and Box Office Achievement award, while “KPop Demon Hunters” demonstrated how animation and music continue to expand the boundaries of mainstream storytelling. Television honors echoed this diversity, with strong representation across drama, comedy, and limited series.

Taken together, this year’s Golden Globes felt like a genuine snapshot of the industry’s current moment: expansive, international and willing to reward bold choices alongside emotional truth.