Muscat – The third edition of the European Union Film Festival (EUFF) kicked off at Cinepolis Cinema, Oman Avenues Mall on Sunday. The fest will run till October 18, bringing 19 films from nine European countries to Omani audiences while providing a platform for local filmmakers.

Organised by a delegation of the European Union and EU member-state embassies in Oman, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, Oman Film Society, International Film Foundation of Oman (IFFO) and Cinépolis Cinemas Oman, the festival will showcase films from Austria, Cyprus, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania and Spain. Tickets are priced at RO1.5 per screening and will be available at Cinépolis.

H E Christophe Farnaud, Ambassador of the European Union to Oman, said, “The third European Union Film Festival in Oman sends a clear message: this cultural celebration has become an established tradition, welcomed, cherished and keenly awaited by our Omani friends.” He said this year’s programme offers a variety of genres, characters and stories exploring human emotions, from despair to hope and from fear to courage.

H E Christophe Ceska, Ambassador of Austria to Oman, speaking on behalf of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, said the festival reflects the growing partnership between Europe and Oman. “Cinema enables us to see the world through the eyes of others, making it a powerful means of promoting cultural exchange, dialogue and mutual understanding,” he said, highlighting the festival’s role in introducing European cinema to Omani audiences and providing local filmmakers with opportunities to present their work.

The festival started off with an Austrian film titled A Whole Life. The film tells the tale of an orphan who braves challenges and hardships and finds happiness in every harsh turn of life.

Sudha Sha, Director of IFFO, said the festival’s continued growth and new competition would help local filmmakers gain recognition while strengthening cultural exchange between Oman and Europe. “The festival has become an important platform bringing together filmmakers, cultural institutions, students, media professionals and cinema enthusiasts,” she said.

The Short Film Competition, organised with the support of the ministry and Oman Film Society, had several submissions of which nine short films have been selected that will be screened free of charge from October 12 to 14, between 5pm and 8pm.