The Filmmaker

Origins

Hazim Bitar is a Palestinian-Jordanian producer, writer, and director, born in 1964 in Saudi Arabia. His work focuses on themes of identity and belonging, influenced by his family's history.

After migrating to the United States, Bitar earned a degree in Computer and Information Science from Millersville University, PA, followed by a Master's in Organizational Management from George Washington University. He later shifted his focus to activism and filmmaking.

From Activism to Cinema

Bitar's entry into filmmaking was rooted in civil and human rights work. He produced documentaries supporting United Nations projects focused on refugees and women's issues, using film for advocacy.

Bitar has described what he calls "Jo-Pal cinema" — a uniquely Jordanian-Palestinian cinematic language shaped by shared occupation, diaspora, and an unrelenting desire for justice.

Filmmaking Approach

Bitar views cinema as a tool for social awareness. His films, such as The View and Into the Belly of the Whale, explore complex psychological and existential themes while focusing on the dignity of their subjects.

Building Movements

In 2002, Bitar settled in Jordan and began working to develop its independent film landscape. He founded the Amman Filmmakers Cooperative (2003) and the Jordan Short Film Festival (2004), creating infrastructure where none existed.

Through the Cooperative, Bitar worked to democratize cinema, launching initiatives like "Hope Films" in partnership with the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), which brought screenwriting and filmmaking workshops to underserved communities, including Palestinian refugee camps and underserved Jordanian communities. The cooperative has trained hundreds at no cost and produced over 50 zero or micro-budget short films selected for international festivals.