From Jordan to Cannes: 10 Jordanian Titles From a Netflix Hit to a Croisette Winner, Signalling a New Era for the Kingdom’s Cinema

Jordan is no longer content to serve as a rugged backdrop for Hollywood epics. With a new cash rebate of up to 45%, the launch of Olivewood Studios, its first full-fledged studio complex, and steady political support from the royal family, the Kingdom is positioning itself as both a regional and international production hub. Speaking to Variety from South Korea’s Busan Film Festival, where the Royal Film Commission hopes to court new projects and partners, Ahmad Khatib, communications and culture manager at the Royal Film Commission, emphatically declared, “We want to become the Korea of the Middle East,” pointing to Korea’s blend of global exports and thriving local industry as a model.

The strategy goes beyond luring foreign shoots. Jordan aims to strengthen its own creative sector so that films and series made locally can resonate with Arab audiences across a shared language and culture while also appealing internationally.