Muscat – A large number of entries have been received for the first-ever film festival in Ibri, scheduled for October 23-26.

Open to all nationalities, over 100 short films from around Oman were submitted before last submission date on Thursday. Al Dhahirah International Film Festival will also screen foreign films and include workshops on various aspects of filmmaking.

Elaborating on the festival, its coordinator Jamil al Yaqoubi said, “This is the first time ever that such an event of films is happening in Ibri. We will have guests and cine artists from all over the Gulf. We are currently awaiting some government permissions.”

He added that the festival has received a significant number of short films of five- to 25-minute duration. “We are very happy with the response. We have plans to make it an annual event with an aim to attract more filmmakers from Oman and the region.”

The shortlisted films will be awarded prizes in several categories, including best film, best director, best actor, best cinematographer, best editor, best animation and best script.

Yaqoubi conducted a workshop on scripting and direction at Sultan Qaboos Youth & Cultural Centre in Salalah on Wednesday.

His film Al Eslaah School, which has won several awards in the region, was screened during the event. The workshop was aimed to help young Omanis learn various tools and techniques involved in the art of filmmaking.

“Oman is an excellent destination for filmmaking owing to its diverse natural landscape,” Yaqoubi added.