Muscat – Omani documentary film A House of Wonders won a special recognition award – Outstanding Gulf Production – at the 14th Broadcast Pro Summit and Awards 2024 organised by Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU) in Dubai, UAE recently.

Produced by the Ministry of Information, represented by Nizwa Magazine, A House of Wonders is a three-part documentary, complemented by a book, that delves into the Omani presence in Zanzibar and East Africa. Each part is of 50-minute duration and available in Arabic, English and Swahili.

The film focuses on the significant contributions of Omanis in various fields – political, commercial, social and cultural – across East Africa, starting with the iconic Bait al Ajaib building – or House of Wonders – after which the film is named.

Shot in ten countries, it is considered the biggest documentary project undertaken by the sultanate. It features 28 international scholars as well as prominent Omani actors and more than 600 supporting actors.

A landmark building dating back to 1883, House of Wonders is a Unesco World Heritage Site in Stone Town, Zanzibar.