The Sultanate of Oman will host international film festivals in the coming months. Many renowned stars are expected to grace the occasion.
Besides Muscat International Film Festival (MIFF), which is scheduled to begin on March 3, 2024, two local and one regional film festival called Cinemana Arab Film Fest (CAFF) will light up the theatres in Oman.
"We are hosting local film festivals -- Al Dakhiliyah Film Fest and Al Batinah Film Fest -- in the coming months, followed by the most sought-after MIFF and CAFF," said Humaid al Amri, President of the Oman Film Society.
Al Dakhiliyah Film Fest is scheduled from September 12 to 15, where short films, documentaries and graphic films will be screened.
"What makes the Al Dakhiliyah Film Fest different is that it is a highly environment-friendly event where we will have a green carpet welcome instead of the traditional red carpet greeting, and all the films are shown in daylight in open theatres, thus making it an eco-friendly film fest," said Mohammed al Kindi, Chief Coordinator of the event.
He said there would be seminars and workshops attended by Arab film personalities and moderated by Dr Monia Heijaiej, Professor of Literature and Film Studies at SQU.
Al Batinah Intl Film Fest, part of Omani regional film festivals, will be held from November 12 to 15 in cooperation with the Office of the Governor of Al Batinah South.
The second edition of the annual film fest, organised under the slogan 'Human Relationship with Earth', aims to highlight the strong ties between Omani citizens and the environment.
"We are focusing on the youth creativity in the field of the film industry and to provide an opportunity to benefit from international cinematic experiences and to learn the cinematic culture and the advancement of Omani cinematic works," said Mohammed al Ajmi, Chief Coordinator of the fest.
The fourth edition of CAFF will be held sometime next February. Film enthusiasts across the Sultanate of Oman are looking forward to attending the fest, watching global films and attending film-making workshops.
"Over 100's of films will be shown, which will go through the selection process once the jury committee resumes work in September," said Khalid al Zadjali, Director and President of CAFF.
As to the most sought-after MIFF, the previous edition was held in March 2020 under the theme 'Make your film in Oman' and introduced international film-makers to the most important tourist destinations in the Sultanate of Oman, besides having seminars and workshops on the formalities and procedures involved in obtaining the necessary licence to film in the Sultanate of Oman.
"This year, the festival includes several competitions in a number of genres, including the Omani and international short narrative film competition, the Omani and international short documentary film competition, and the festival competition under the title 'The Relationship of the Omani Man with the Land.' What makes the festivals different is that both citizens and expatriates can participate in the festival, and we have created separate sections for the same," said Mohammed.
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