Shah Rukh Khan to be back in Oman? This is a likely possibility as the 11th edition of the Muscat International Film Festival honours film luminaries like King Khan among other film celebrities.
In a groundbreaking announcement made by the Omani Cinema Association at a press conference, the organising committee shared that the film festival is set to captivate audiences from March 3 to 7, 2024.
With a mission to invigorate the cinematic landscape of the Sultanate of Oman, the festival will serve as a global platform, showcasing Oman's stunning deserts, golden sands, majestic mountains, historical sites, and beautiful valleys. This immersive experience for filmmakers will be facilitated through meticulously organized promotional tours to Oman's top tourist destinations.
Embracing the ambitious "Make Your Film in Oman" campaign, the festival positions Oman as an alluring destination for filmmakers seeking unique and picturesque settings for their cinematic masterpieces.
The festival promises an array of competitions, spanning international narrative films, documentaries, animated films, and short films tailored for Omanis and residents. The prestigious "Dagger Award" will be bestowed upon the best film in each category, while additional accolades will celebrate excellence in direction, screenplay, acting, and cinematography.
A staggering 350 films, spanning 20 countries including Oman, Bahrain, the UAE, Kuwait, India, China, Iran, France, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Sudan, Jordan, Palestine, Algeria, and Egypt, have been submitted for consideration. Rigorous selection processes will result in 12 feature narrative films, 10 feature documentaries, and 15 to 20 animated films being showcased.
The festival's distinguished jury panels include renowned local, regional, and international figures. Notable personalities such as film critic Gita Al-Khayyat, Italian actress Sabrina Clifton, American director Jerome Jerry, and many others will preside over the evaluation of the submitted films.
Honoring excellence in the film industry, the festival will pay tribute to luminaries like Shah Rukh Khan, director Satarah, Nelly Karim, Huda Hussain, and Omani figures Abdullah Habib, Mohammed Al-Kindi, Buthaina Al-Raisi, Tughlab Al-Brawani, and Bahraini director Ahmed Yaqoub Al-Muqalla, among others.
With the festival's artistic director, Qasim Al-Sulaimi, at the helm, the event aims to connect Omani filmmakers with global experiences, fostering creativity and enriching the cultural landscape of cinema in the Sultanate. The Muscat International Film Festival stands as a non-profit artistic endeavor, dedicated to promoting and nurturing the cinematic arts.
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