Muscat – An Omani documentary, titled Duhjan Al Ward, directed by Mohammed Al Ajmi, has won the Reviving Heritage Award for best documentary at the seventh edition of the International Film and Heritage Festival recently held in the city of Midelt, Morocco.

Speaking to Muscat Daily, Al Ajmi said the festival attracted wide international participation, with nearly 400 films submitted from around the world. Only 12 feature films and eight documentaries were selected for the official competition.

The eight-minute documentary focuses on the rose harvest and distillation season in Jabal Akhdar, featuring traditional methods of extracting rose water in a clay oven used for generations.

The film also shows rose cultivation areas, the different uses of roses and aspects of daily life linked to the seasonal harvest, presenting Omani heritage through a contemporary cinematic approach.

Al Ajmi said the documentary was earlier screened at film festivals and cultural events in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Japan and Malaysia.

He described the award as an achievement for Omani cinema and said it reflected the ability of local documentaries to reach international audiences through stories rooted in Omani identity and culture.

Al Ajmi also stressed the importance of supporting film initiatives that document Omani heritage for future generations. The film was produced with support of the Ain Platform as part of efforts to promote Omani films and boost their presence at international festivals.

He advised young Omani filmmakers to focus on authentic local stories and remain committed to developing their creative skills. “Oman has a rich cultural heritage and many untold stories that deserve to be presented to the world,” he said, urging youngsters to use modern visual tools to preserve national identity and showcase the sultanate’s traditions through cinema.

He added that persistence, continuous learning and participation in regional and international festivals are key steps towards building a successful career in filmmaking.