Zein Driewi is a Jordanian writer and director whose works have been internationally acclaimed, with her short film 'Salam' premiered at the Venice International Film Festival and winning the Best Arab Short Film Award at the El Gouna Film Festival. She was also selected as one of the 'Arab Stars of Tomorrow'. Her first feature film 'Gharaq', premiered globally for the first time in the Discovery section of the 50th Toronto International Film Festival, and was the only Arab film nominated for the 'Sutherland Award' at the BFI London Film Festival. The film continued its journey in a number of festivals around the world, winning the prestigious Ecumenical Jury Prize at the Mannheim-Heidelberg International Film Festival, along with the 'Bronze Tanit' at the Carthage Film Days.
The film's first screening in the Middle East and North Africa region was at the Red Sea International Film Festival. It also participated in the 'International Panorama' section of the Shanghai International Film Festival, as well as participating in the Sarajevo Film Festival and more than 30 other festivals.
The film was produced by Alaa Al-Asaad and Hind Awnbatawi from Tapi 360. Alaa Al-Asaad works as a film producer and distributor between Dubai and Amman, and is a co-founder of Tapi 360, and the head of the production department at 'Creative Media Solutions'. He has participated in a number of films that have received international attention, including 'Yona', which was screened at the Berlin International Film Festival, 'Salam', which was screened at the Venice International Film Festival, and 'Talafizyon', which reached the shortlist for the Oscars. His upcoming projects include the documentary 'Theater of Freedom', as well as the projects 'Mood from Montreal', 'Birthday' and 'Mina'. Al-Asaad continues his role in producing and distributing independent and artistic films in the Middle East and North Africa region and internationally.
The story of 'Gharaq' revolves around Nadia, a wife and mother of three, who lives behind the facade of a seemingly perfect life, while suffering from a crisis in her marriage and a loss of self-identity. She finds her closest emotional ties with her eldest son, Basil, a gifted and introverted student in his final year of high school. After a troubling episode at school leads to Basil being suspended, Nadia tries to contain and help him, holding onto the belief that he only needs support and guidance. However, as his undiagnosed mental health condition worsens and his erratic behavior escalates, Nadia ignores the warning signs and gradually drowns in denial, while the situation spirals out of control. The film stars Clara Khoury as Nadia, Mohammad Nizar as Basil, and Wissam Tabila as Jalal.
It is worth noting that the film was shot entirely in Amman, Jordan, with a crew of 50 Jordanians. The film also received several grants, including a feature film production grant from the Jordan Film Fund, as well as regional support from the Doha Film Institute, the Red Sea Fund, and the Arab Fund for Culture and Arts 'Afaq'.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is scheduled to announce the Oscar shortlist for 2027 on December 15, 2026, with the final nominations to be announced on January 21 of the following year. The 99th Academy Awards ceremony will take place on March 14, 2027.
Jordan has previously submitted nine films in the International Feature Film category, making 'Gharaq' the tenth film to be selected to represent Jordan.
