Muscat – Independent filmmakers, actors, scriptwriters and cinema enthusiasts gathered at Galaxy Hall in Ruwi on Friday for the Bhavalaya Short Film Competition – Kaleidoscope 2026, an event that highlighted emerging creative voices and diverse storytelling traditions in Oman.

Organised by Bhavalaya Art and Culture Foundation, the festival featured a seven-hour screening marathon of 14 short films in Malayalam, Arabic, Tamil and English, followed by an awards ceremony recognising achievements in filmmaking, acting and screenwriting.

The event formed part of Bhavalaya’s 16-year initiative in Oman to promote art and culture through exhibitions, competitions and cultural programmes. The competition was held under the patronage of H E G V Srinivas, Ambassador of India to Oman, and Talib Al Balushi, noted Omani actor.

The festival marked the culmination of more than a year of planning and film selection led by Arunkumar Melethil, national coordinator of Bhavalaya.

Addressing the gathering, Dr J Retnakumar, founder and chairman of Bhavalaya Art and Culture Foundation, spoke about the enduring role of storytelling in human society.

“Films unite people irrespective of differences. Storytelling has always been one of humanity’s strongest tools, from cave paintings to oral traditions. Today, filmmakers use the camera to narrate stories of love, redemption, war, loneliness and family,” he said.

Retnakumar added Bhavalaya has consistently supported artists without commercial objectives and aims to provide independent spaces for creative expression. “Painters, writers, actors, poets and filmmakers all seek to be heard and understood. Through the years, Bhavalaya has tried to support these creative voices by hosting exhibitions, competitions and film screenings,” he added.

The festival drew participation from independent filmmakers across Oman and attracted a strong audience for screenings.

The top honours for Best Film, Best Director and Best Script went to The Call by Ayyanar, a film centred on a driver’s experiences during a single eventful night.

Ali Mohammad Al Balushi won first place in the Best Child Actor category for Siraj the Lamp, while Bilal Zanoof secured second place for The Search.

Syama Arjun received the Best Actress award for her performance in Life is to Love Happily. Performances by Anitha Rajan in The Search and Indu Baburaj in The Balloon Seller were also recognised during the event.

H E Srinivas described the festival as an important platform for emerging talent. “Kaleidoscope 2026 once again proved to be a  platform for emerging filmmakers and creative voices, encouraging meaningful cinema and recognising talent from different cultural backgrounds,” he said.