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11th Muscat film fest to offer ‘surprises’

15 Jan 2024 11th Muscat film fest to offer ‘surprises’ By ANIRBAN RAY

Muscat – The 11th chapter of the Muscat International Film Festival (MIFF) is all set for the ‘lights, camera, action’ moment with an array of films from renowned studios and independent filmmakers.

Promoted under the theme ‘Renewed Oman’, the festival from March 3 to 7 will witness some of the big celebrities from the Arab world as well as other parts of Asia attending the event.

The festival will explore and showcase the country’s exotic locations in the deserts, among the mountains, in oasis, wadis and seas, which are unexplored and suitable for filming.

The MIFF’s previous chapter triggered a great response under the theme ‘Make Your Film in Oman’.

“We are happy to have the 11th edition of MIFF in which several countries will take part,” said Mohammad al Kindi, one of the members of the organising committee.

Organised by the Oman Film Society (OFS), creators from around the globe are gearing up for this year’s festival, he added.

The organisers have renewed their call for entries which will remain open until January 31.

Filmmakers can send their entries under the three main categories viz., short films, animations and feature films. They are also inviting filmmakers to explore Oman’s diverse landscapes, including deserts, mountains, archaeological sites, and valleys through their lenses.

Dr Humaid al Ameri, Chairman of OFS, described the festival as part of a series of events aimed at spreading cinema culture.

“The festival, while aiming to project Oman to the global cinema community, motivates Omani filmmakers by acknowledging and featuring their work.”

MIFF not only celebrates cinematic artistry but also highlights Oman’s rich cultural and geographical tapestry, Ameri added.

Filmmakers will have the opportunity to showcase their talent and the option to weave their narratives against the stunning landscapes of Oman. “This would create a dynamic background for storytelling,” OFS chairman asserted.

With the call for entries open, anticipation is building for a cinematic celebration that transcends borders, inviting filmmakers to capture the essence of Oman’s beauty through their lens.

The festival will evaluate films  for various competitions in International Feature Films, International Feature Documentary Films, Animation Films, Omani Short Narrative Films, and Omani Short Documentary Films categories.

The prestigious Khanjar Award will go to the best film across all categories, while the Al Mahzam Award will be for excellence in directing, screenplay, acting, cinematography. There will also be a jury award for the International Narrative and Documentary Film competitions.

“OFS will soon have a press conference and provide all details regarding the entries, expected cine celebrities and workshop dates,” the organisers assured.

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