MUSCAT, Oct 3
The first-ever European Film Festival in Muscat concluded with a spectacular closing ceremony at Vox Cinema, Mall of Oman. Over the week, the festival screened 15 European films from nine participating embassies, captivating a diverse audience and celebrating cinematic excellence.
Deputy Ambassador of the French Embassy, Luciano, reflected on the festival's success during his closing remarks, highlighting the importance of cultural exchange through cinema. He introduced the final screening of the French film Divertimento, which added a fitting touch to the event. Representatives from the embassies of France, Italy, Cyprus, Spain, Romania, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, and Hungary were in attendance, demonstrating the strong diplomatic ties and collaborative spirit fostered by the festival.
Sudha Sha, President of the International Film Foundation of Oman (IFFO), in her concluding remarks, expressed gratitude to all participating embassies, sponsors, and the audience that made the festival a resounding success.
She praised the collaborative efforts with Vox Cinema, noting the remarkable venue and high-quality technical setups that enhanced the viewing experience. Sha reaffirmed IFFO’s commitment to nurturing global cinematic partnerships and promoting Oman as a burgeoning hub for film.
A key highlight of the evening was the teaser launch for an exciting Omani anthology film, a collaborative effort with international partners. This unique project, initiated by Arabwood, aims to explore universal themes that unite and divide humanity through diverse storytelling. The teaser was officially unveiled by celebrity guest actor-producer Vivek Oberoi, alongside Arabwood International Patron Dr Mohamed Khan (Khan Media City, Dubai), anthology production partner Abdul Aziz Barudgar, and IFFO President Sudha Sha.
Adding to the star-studded night, Vivek Oberoi also released the teaser for his latest film, Mr & Mrs Grey, accompanied by producer Shikha Aluwahlia and special guest Cham Majolica, Managing Director of The Diplomatic Club. The dual teaser launches underscored the exciting cinematic developments that lie ahead, both locally and internationally.
The closing ceremony brought together representatives from the film industry, diplomatic circles, and media, celebrating a successful cultural exchange through the EU Film Festival and heralding new collaborative ventures in global filmmaking. The event not only highlighted the richness of European cinema but also set the stage for future collaborations that aim to elevate the Omani film industry on a global scale.
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