Amman, June 24, 2026
The Royal Film Commission – Jordan (RFC) proudly announces that the short film “A Subconscious Dive”, developed and produced at the Jordan Cinema Academy as a part of the first intake’s graduation projects, has advanced to the semifinal round of the 53rd annual Student Academy Awards (SAA). The film is among just 61 selected from an exceptionally competitive pool of 2,972 submissions by film schools worldwide, placing it in approximately the top 2% of all entries submitted this year.

The film is a collaborative effort by a creative team of JCA graduates, led by Raghad Al-Bakheet as a writer-director, and Danial Salman as a producer, the film was developed under the supervision of a distinguished group of Arab filmmakers. An experimental documentary, the film is about a hypnotherapy session involving the reenactment of scenes from memory in the subconscious mind.

It also underscores the effectiveness of the academy’s applied film education model in enabling a new generation of filmmakers in Jordan and the region to reach prestigious global platforms.

JCA is a joint program by the RFC and the German Jordanian University (GJU), established on GJU Jabal Amman campus, awards a diploma after students complete an intensive theoretical and practical program. The program aims to educate and train a new generation of filmmakers in Jordan, to foster talent and contribute to the local and international film industry. The diploma is accredited by the Jordanian Technical and Vocational Skills Development Commission.

The Student Academy Awards (SAA) is supervised by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Oscars). Each year, thousands of colleges and university film students from all over the world compete for awards and cash grants, with films being judged in multiple categories including Animation, Documentary, Live Action Narrative and Alternative/Experimental.

Past Student Academy Award winners have gone on to receive 70 Oscar nominations and have won or shared 15 awards. Past SAA winners include Pete Docter, Robert Zemeckis, Patricia Riggen, Patricia Cardoso and Spike Lee. The 53rd annual Student Academy Awards ceremony will be held at TIFF Lightbox in Toronto on September 14, 2026.

About the Royal Film Commission – Jordan
The Royal Film Commission – Jordan (RFC) is a public institution, with administrative and financial autonomy, established in 2003 with a mandate to promote for and contribute to the development of an internationally competitive Jordanian audio-visual industry. The RFC organizes training workshops, screenings and provides production support services.
For any further information, please email: info@film.jo or call: +96264613535 ext. 203. 

About the German Jordanian University
The German Jordanian University (GJU), founded in 2005, follows the German applied-sciences model. It emphasizes applied education and knowledge transfer to strengthen ties between Jordan and Europe, particularly Germany. The university's growth and reputation for innovation underscore its role as a leading institution in higher education, both regionally and internationally. GJU's mission is to prepare graduates with industry-relevant skills, contributing to socio-economic development and enhancing Jordan's industrial and economic standing.

For any further information, please email: jca@film.jo or call: landline 06 464 22 66 ext. 602, or mobile 0796387752