Art & Culture

Inside Joanna Arida’s Amman International Film Festival Photo Diary

BYMeriem Belhiba

August 7, 2026

If the Amman International Film Festival (AIFF) has become anything over its seven editions, it is a platform where Jordan’s emerging creative community can find its way into the industry, experiment with new roles and, increasingly, move between them. Joana Arida belongs squarely to that generation.

The Jordanian actress first reached an international audience through AlRawabi School for Girls, Netflix’s second Jordanian original series, before appearing this year in Ashab Al Ard. But acting has never been the only space she wanted to occupy. Like many of the young creatives reshaping Jordan’s cultural scene, Arida has moved across disciplines while keeping the same instinct to make, perform, and tell stories alive.

At this year’s AIFF, that journey brought her to the festival in a new capacity. Arida presented the MENA premiere of Is It Still Me, her first short film, experiencing the festival for the first time not only as an actress, but as a filmmaker with a work of her own in front of an audience.

“I was proud of this moment because it was my first time going to a festival as a first-time filmmaker rather than an actress,” she tells MILLE. “And I was proud of my tiny little short, Is It Still Me.”

Across the festival, Arida documented the moments around that milestone herself. From opening night to the closing ceremony at the Amman Citadel, below, she takes us through AIFF 2026 in photographs, and in her own words.

“I remember talking to Reema Dahbour about wanting to wear her gorgeous designs. When choosing the corset and skirt from her lookbook, we wanted to add a “contemporary” Henna design to the arm, which my friend Suleiman Tadros helped with. I didn’t choose this look for any specific reason. I just wanted to feel like a pink princess who’s been blessed by Reema Dahbour.”

“This moment was when Laura Madar just started doing my makeup. We were sitting in my room chilling and waiting for food. I was feeling pretty good because Laura’s magical hands always make me look flawless. Yes, seriously. She’s magic.”

“Here, we were heading to the Citadel, where the ceremony was taking place at the Temple of Hercules. I was taking a nice picture before the night takes its toll on my makeup hehe. As for the necklace, it has just arrived from Cairo. I was excited to wear it because it’s a gorgeous piece by Jude Benhalim. I think I can confidently say that everyone was kind enough to compliment it that night.”

“This is me during the closing ceremony of AIFF. For the look, I chose to dress up simply to focus on the jewelry I was wearing. I was proud of this moment because it was my first time going to a festival as a first-time filmmaker rather than an actress. And I was proud of my tiny little short, “Is It Still Me”. Laura Madar was a cutie pie for helping me get glammed up.”

“These are the trophies for the awards ceremony. They looked pretty and purple. So I took a picture. It’s exciting to imagine that as I evolve as a storyteller, the films I create might one day be celebrated on festival stages.”

Inside Joanna Arida’s Amman International Film Festival Photo Diary

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Inside Joanna Arida’s Amman International Film Festival Photo Diary

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