Latest news with #OmanFilmSociety
Observer
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Observer
Al Batinah film festival nominations open
The Oman Film Society (OFS) and Al Batinah North Governor's Office have announced the opening of nominations for the official competition of the third edition of Al Batinah International Film Festival. The festival will be held from October 27 to 30. The biennial festival, now in its third consecutive edition, serves as a cultural and artistic platform to promote Oman and its governorates locally and internationally. It aims to create an atmosphere that celebrates creativity and fosters communication between film-makers and cinema enthusiasts. This year's official competition includes three categories: short documentary films for both Omani and international film-makers, short narrative films for both Omani and international film-makers, and an Omani institutional film competition for both government and private entities. "We celebrate Al Batinah International Film Festival every two years with the goal of fostering relationships between film-makers and society, spreading cinematic culture among community members, stimulating artistic activity among young people and improving the quality of Omani film production," said Mohammed bin Abdullah al Ajmi, Chairman of the Oman Film Society. Al Ajmi added that this edition of the film festival is organised under the supervision of the Oman Film Society, in partnership with several supporting institutions from the public and private sectors. This is part of efforts to enhance Oman's cinematic presence regionally and internationally. Entries will be accepted until September 20, 2025, via approved electronic forms.
Muscat Daily
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Muscat Daily
Al Batinah International Film Festival returns in October
Muscat – The third edition of Al Batinah International Film Festival will be held from October 27 to 30 in Suhar, North Batinah. Oman Film Society made the announcement on Tuesday in cooperation with North Batinah Governor's Office and invited filmmakers from Oman and abroad to submit entries by September 20. The biennial event, which is gaining reputation as a cultural platform, will feature competitions for short documentaries, narrative shorts and feature films. All entries must have been produced between 2023 and 2024 and be of two- to 20-minute duration. Submissions must be in MOV or MP4 format, with subtitles. Films deemed offensive or discriminatory will not be accepted, and selected works will become part of the festival's archive. Mohammad bin Abdullah al Ajmi, Chairman of Oman Film Society, said the festival is a continuation of efforts to support Omani talent and promote a professional platform for creative expression. 'Cinema today is a tool for cultural and economic development, and a means of expressing national identity and contributing to the creative economy,' he said. Mohammad bin Abdullah al Ajmi Ajmi noted that the festival aligns with the principles of decentralisation under Oman Vision 2040, which encourages governorates to lead cultural initiatives and manage development efforts independently. 'This festival is more than a competition; it is a celebration of storytelling and a bridge between cultures,' Ajmi said. 'We are proud to see increasing interest from international filmmakers and remain committed to nurturing talent, elevating standards to position Oman as a serious voice in global cinema.' Ajmi added that Oman Film Society will continue to work with public and private sector partners to deliver cultural events that meet the expectations of Omani youth and contribute to the development of a vibrant film industry. Submission guidelines and forms are available through the festival's official channels or via email at [email protected]
Times of Oman
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Times of Oman
Participation opens for 3rd Al Batinah International Film Festival
Muscat: Oman Film Society, in cooperation with the North Al Batinah Governor's Office, has announced the opening of participation for the official competition of the 3rd Al Batinah International Film Festival, scheduled to take place during 27-30 October 2025. Participation will be accepted until 20 September through the festival's official online forms. Held biennially, the Al Batinah International Film Festival serves as a cultural and artistic platform aimed at promoting Oman and its governorates both locally and internationally, spreading cinematic culture within society, and stimulating artistic engagement among youth while enhancing the quality of Omani film production. This edition is organised under the supervision of Oman Film Society in partnership with several public and private sector institutions, as part of efforts to strengthen Oman's cinematic presence at regional and international levels. Oman Film Society invites all interested filmmakers, production companies, and cinema enthusiasts to submit their works across the festival's official competition categories.
Muscat Daily
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Muscat Daily
Filmmaker Mohammed al Darwish to head film fest in Morocco
Muscat – Celebrated Omani filmmaker Mohammed al Darwish has been appointed artistic director of Morocco's Zagora International Film Festival, one of Africa's oldest and most prestigious, this November. The appointment marks a significant milestone for Oman's presence on the global film stage and is expected to deepen cultural and artistic ties between the two countries. Oman has also been named guest of honour at this year's edition of the festival. An Omani delegation of five will represent the sultanate at the festival. Speaking to Muscat Daily, Darwish said, 'Participation of Oman in the Zagora festival will boost the sultanate's presence in the cinema world.' A member of Oman Film Society, he has received over 30 international awards for his work. His films includes Beta-Carotene, Al Saef Walhadaf, Ta and Al Qitehih Al Mafqudah. In addition to his role in Morocco, Darwish is preparing to release a new film by the end of this year. He also plans to begin work on a documentary in January 2026 and scheduled to participate in an Algerian festival in September. 'It's a busy time with participation in international film festivals every couple of months,' he said. Additionally, Darwish is currently working on an autobiography chronicling his journey in the film industry. (Contributed by Asma al Balushi)
Muscat Daily
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Muscat Daily
Oman hosts film contest dedicated to Palestine
Muscat – A short film competition dedicated to amplifying the Palestinian narrative concluded in Muscat on Tuesday with entries from Gaza taking the top honours. Titled 'Lens on Palestine', the competition was launched in October 2024 as a first-of-its-kind initiative in the sultanate. Organised by Al Istiqama TV in partnership with Oman Film Society, the event drew over 100 entries from across the region, with 37 shortlisted films from 11 countries making it to the final round. The contest aimed to offer filmmakers a platform to present visual accounts of Palestinian history, daily life, cultural identity and political realities. Each film ranged between four and ten minutes, offering a compact but powerful expression of the Palestinian cause. The jury comprised filmmakers and cultural figures from Oman, Jordan, Palestine and Egypt. Representing Oman was Jamil bin Saeed al Yaqoobi, a veteran director and co-founder of Oman Film Society, known for celebrated works like Khalf al Kawalis, Nuz and the documentary Madrasat al Islah . Speaking at the event on Tuesday, Yaqoobi said the competition was in response to 'the urgent need to convey the Palestinian narrative to global audiences' and 'shed light on the daily human suffering under continuous violations and the ongoing Israeli war in Gaza'. The top three awards were won by Palestinian entries. Void by director Hussam Hamdi Abu Dan claimed the first prize of US$18,000. In a Moment by director Aseel al Waddiya took second place, earning US$13,000, while Palestine's Lens by director Hamdi Khalil al Hussein received the third and US$7,500. Individual awards also reflected the competence of entries from Palestine. Ziad Jarr won for Best Screenplay and Best Editing, while Hussam Hamdi received the Best Actor award. Clara al Banati was named Best Director. Twenty additional films were each awarded US$500 in recognition of their originality and contribution to the competition's goals. Prior to the closing ceremony, a two-day workshop was held for participants, covering the basics of scripting, direction and editing led by filmmaking professionals. Al Istiqama TV confirmed that a second edition of the competition is planned, dates of which will be announced later this year. Organisers said the strong response from the region reaffirmed the importance of cinema as a tool for advocacy and cultural expression.
