Muscat – The inaugural European Union Film Festival held in Muscat drew to a close at VOX Mall of Oman on Monday night with Indian actor Vivek Oberoi presiding over the closing ceremony. A teaser for Oberoi’s upcoming film Mr and Mrs Grey was also launched at the festival.

The week-long festival, held from September 23 to 30, was organised by the French Embassy in Muscat in collaboration with the International Film Foundation of Oman (IFFO). It marked the first time a European film festival was held in the sultanate, showcasing a diverse selection of films from romance and documentaries to drama and action.

Fifteen films from nine European Union countries were screened at the festival offering audiences a wide range of stories and perspectives from across the continent.

Sudha Sha, an organising partner and representative of IFFO, said, “This is an incredible moment for us. Films unite people irrespective of their culture and religion. In the last decade, Oman has produced very few films, but this festival marks the beginning of a new era for the film industry here,” she said.

In an exciting announcement for the future, Luciano Rispoli, Counsellor at the French Embassy, revealed plans for the next festival focused on women. “Films are an excellent medium to celebrate humanity, and we cannot afford to ignore 50% of the population. Our next festival will celebrate the power of women,” Rispoli said.

The festival featured films from France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Romania, Cyprus, Hungary, Austria and Spain.

Earlier this year, IFFO launched Arabwood, an initiative aimed at producing films in Oman for global distribution.