Submissions invited for taking part in Gulf Film Festival
The event will be organised in collaboration with the Secretariat General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and aligns with the festival's regulatory framework established by the GCC Secretariat General, as part of the implementation of the GCC Cultural Strategy 2020-2030.
The ministry has extended an invitation to all Omani filmmakers to submit their works and compete across the festival's various categories, including feature films, short films, and documentaries.
Participants will vie for financial awards, with prizes awarded for Best Feature Film, Best Short Film, and Best Documentary, in addition to other awards such as Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Original Score, and Best Actor and Actress.
This event presents a promising opportunity for Omani talent to showcase their creativity on a Gulf-wide platform, reinforcing Oman's presence in the regional cinematic landscape.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times of Oman
5 hours ago
- Times of Oman
Shoppers buy ‘green' bags as third phase of plastic ban rolls out
MUSCAT: Shoppers in Muscat were taken aback when they discovered on Wednesday that some supermarkets had stopped giving plastic bags with the items they had purchased. 'When I paid for the products, I had to purchase a green bag for 125 baisas at a supermarket in Ruwi as I was left with no other choice than to carry the products to my car without the bag,' said Sujata, an Indian expat living in Rex Road. This comes after Oman rolled out the third phase of its plastic bag ban on Tuesday, July 1, in accordance with the approved timeline in Decision No. (8/2024). Officials said if the regulations are violated, they can be fined ranging from OMR50 to OMR1,000. The Environment Authority (EA) said that the activities in this phase included sale of vegetables, fruits, grocery, foodstuffs, sweets, gifts and bakery stores. Regarding the alternatives, the Environment Authority suggested use of fabric bags and paper bags. The EA issued a statement, highlighting the long-term dangers of single-use plastic bags on marine life and the broader environment. 'A single plastic bag may seem harmless, but it leaves a profound impact on marine life and our environment for decades! Your simple decision to use sustainable alternatives makes a big difference,' it stated. The EA detailed the consequences of plastic pollution on ocean ecosystems. 'Fish, turtles, and whales may mistake plastic bags for food and swallow them, leading to suffocation or blockages in their digestive systems, which can result in death. Then the marine creatures like turtles or birds may get entangled in plastic bags, causing them to suffocate or suffer serious injuries,' it said. Sujit Kumar went to the supermarket to get essentials as he was expecting some guests at his home for lunch on Wednesday. 'I went to the supermarket to buy some juices and food packets but the person at the billing counter reminded me of the plastic bags directive from July 1.' Similarly, Sohail, a Pakistani expat, had been to a nearby supermarket in Qurum to shop for his daily essentials. Without knowledge of the ban, he purchased his monthly groceries, but he did not have any bags to carry the items. Therefore, he had to purchase a reusable bag. 'From now on, I will be keeping these bags in my car and whenever I go shopping, I will use them,' added Sohail. Phase one of the plastic ban was implemented on July 1, 2024, targeting single-use plastic bags thinner than 50 micrometres. The second phase began on January 1, 2025, and it included textile shops, tailoring shops, mobile shops, watch shops, retailers, etc. The third phase was introduced from July 1, 2025.
Times of Oman
7 hours ago
- Times of Oman
Al-Hazm military exercise concludes
Muscat: The proceedings of the military exercise "Al-Hazm" concluded on Wednesday at the Joint Command and Staff College of the Academy for Strategic and Defence Studies. The exercise was conducted by participants of the 38th course, comprising members from various military and security units as well as several Arab and friendly nations. The "Al-Hazm" military exercise, which commenced on 23 June, was implemented as part of the course curriculum and represents the culmination of a series of exercises undertaken by the Joint Command and Staff College students. The exercise successfully achieved its intended training objectives while aligning with the requirements of joint military operations.
Times of Oman
9 hours ago
- Times of Oman
Largest graffiti mural launched in Musandam
Khasab: A massive artistic mural—the largest of its kind in Oman and among the most prominent in the Gulf region—was inaugurated in Musandam Governorate. Spanning a striking mountain facade at the governorate's entrance, the contemporary graffiti-style artwork reflects the spirit and unique maritime identity of the region, blending art with the local environment. The event was held under the patronage of Sayyid Ibrahim Said Al Busaidi, Governor of Musandam. The mural, created by Omani artist Abdulaziz Al Shehi, stretches 70 meters in length and 14 meters in height. Its execution took 40 consecutive days, with an average of three hours of work daily, utilizing over 500 cans of paint. The artwork vividly depicts scenes of marine life for which Musandam is renowned, including pearl diving, dolphins, coral reefs, and various maritime activities, transforming the site into an artistic and tourist landmark that captivates visitors and residents alike. Sayyid Ibrahim, stated: "We take pride in this artistic work, which showcases the beauty of Musandam's marine environment and enhances the governorate's visual identity. We encourage such initiatives that harness art to serve tourism and provide opportunities for the people of Musandam to innovate and excel." The Musandam Governorate also announced plans to organize a graffiti festival as part of the upcoming "Musandam Winter" events, featuring a selection of local and international artists. The festival aims to transform several public spaces into open-air art galleries that convey cultural and aesthetic messages reflecting the governorate's natural beauty and heritage. This creative momentum aligns with Musandam's preparations to launch the Musandam International Diving Festival next September, as part of a broader vision to enhance the region's artistic and touristic appeal while maintaining a balance between environmental preservation and showcasing nature as a source of inspiration and creativity.
