The 11th Muscat International Film Festival (MIFF 2024) concluded last Thursday with a grand celebration of outstanding cinema, as the spotlight shone on diverse talents from Oman and around the world

The curtains came down on the 11^th Muscat International Film Festival, which featured a diverse line-up of 56 films from 11 countries, showcasing the global reach of cinematic storytelling, last Thursday. But, apart from screening meaningful, it also served as a pointer to the creative flair of young filmmakers from Oman who finally seemed to have found their feet.

The prestigious awards ceremony, held on Thursday, saw Iranian movie ‘Al Hares,’ directed by Sadek Abu Talib, clinching the coveted Dagger Award, marking a triumphant end to the cinematic extravaganza.

Kuwait’s Ahmed al Khadari received the Best Director Award for ‘Amakor,’ while Egypt’s Zafar al Abdine was u with the Best Actor Award for ‘Nose and 3 Eyes.’ Adding to the international recognition, Morocco’s Sonia Akasha claimed the Best Actress Award for her compelling performance in ‘Casablanca’s Divorcees.’

The awards were presented by H H Sayyidah Hujaija bint Jaifer al Said, who congratulated the winners across five categories, including feature films, Omani short films, documentaries, Omani short documentaries, and animation movies.

Oman’s ‘Al Mubadala,’ directed by Yasser Ahmed, earned the prestigious jury award, with a panel led by Ghita al Khayyat (Morocco) and featuring international members including Sabrina Cleaver, Magdi Ahmed, Essam al Zadjali, and Philip Robertson.

In a historic moment for Omani cinema, 18-year-old Nilanjana Sha, a resident of Oman and a cinematic art studies student at the University of Southern California, clinched the Best Actress Jury Prize for her outstanding performance in the Indian film ‘What the Birds Want to Say’. Directed by Sudha Radhika, a filmmaker based in Oman, the film not only marked a significant moment for Nilanjana but also served as a proud representation of Oman on the global film stage.

Nilanjana Sha’s directorial debut, ‘The Watch Tower’, stood tall as Oman’s sole representative in the festival, earning a well-deserved spot among the finalists. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Al Hamra, the film provides a fresh perspective on Omani cinema, blending a rich narrative with stunning visuals.

The film revolves around the life of an elderly man, offering viewers a unique journey through the picturesque mountain village. The standout feature of the film lay in its commitment to inclusivity, with Omani actor Faisal Jandub, a member of the Blind Association Oman, portraying the lead role. This movie not only adds authenticity to the film but also breaks barriers in Omani cinema.

The film’s exploration of Oman’s scenic locations, particularly the mountain village of Al Hamra, added an extra layer of depth to the storytelling, immersing the audience in the natural beauty and cultural richness of the region.

As the only feature film representing Oman at MIFF 2024, ‘The Watch Tower’ symbolises a new era for Omani cinema, signaling the country’s commitment to fostering creativity and storytelling on an international level. Nilanjana Sha and her team have successfully placed Oman on the global cinematic map, offering a captivating addition to the diverse landscape of international films.

The Omani Short Films included Haitham Suleiman’s ‘Dayanat Al Maa’ which claimed the Dagger Award for the Best Omani Short Narrative Film. Saleh al Raisi received the Best Actor Award for ‘Al Fa and Beta,’ while Hamza al Hashmi won Best Actress for ‘Dayana Al Maa.’ Asim al Hashmi’s ‘Al Fa and Beta’ secured the jury award, with a panel led by Saad Hindawi from Egypt, and including Ahmed al Hamdani, Ibrahim al Balushi, and Hamid al Hawij.

Documentaries screened

‘The Hidden Beauty of Iraq’ by Sahim Omar Khalifa and Jürgen Böttcher secured the Dagger Award for Best Feature-Length Documentary. Frederic received the Best Cinematography Award for ‘House of Wonders’ from Oman. The jury award went to Anis al Aswad for ‘Allah’s Borders’ from Tunisia and Fouad al Suweiba for ‘Maul Al Maa’ from Morocco. The jury, led by Oman’s Abdullah al Sha’ili, included international members Jean Saragolo, Alex Mousa, Malak Dahmani, and Mohamed Al Thabet.

Omani Short Documentaries:

Walid al Kharousi’s ‘Sahar Al Rimal’ won the Dagger Award for Best Short Documentary. The jury award recognised ‘Bint Al Raml’ by Salah al Hadrami and ‘Lonely Diver’ by Fahd al Maamari. The jury, featuring Mahboub Issa from Oman, Saeed al Nazam from Morocco, Sameh Sameer from Egypt, Rima al Majid from Saudi Arabia, and Mohammed al Ajmi from Oman, highlighted the diverse perspectives presented.

International and Omani Animation Films

Bilal Abu Samra’s ‘The Sea’ from Egypt secured the Dagger Award for Best International Animated Film. ‘Dream on the Wall’ by Iyad Abdul Hussein from Iraq claimed the Best Visual Design Award, while the jury award went to ‘Without Words’ by Nour Jamal from Egypt. The jury, including talents like Najlaa Mohammed, Khaled Jallal, Abdullah Abari, Hassanein al Hani, and Munir al Sulaimi from Oman, recognised exceptional contributions in the animation genre. The festival also paid tribute to artists such as Bahrain’s Zainab al Askari and Omani talents Khalil al Sinani and Abdullah Habeib, along with directors Khamees al Musafir and Hussain Amir from the UAE.

On the sidelines of MIFF 2024 closing ceremony, an exciting collaboration was announced. Kuwaiti artist and director Ahmed al Khadari joined forces with the ‘Aks for Short Films’ platform, represented by Fahd al Maamari. This collaboration aims to showcase 10 short films on the platform, attracting an international audience keen on exploring Oman’s rich cultural heritage. The ‘Aks’ platform, recognised as a youth cultural initiative, takes centrestage in promoting Oman’s vibrant cultural expressions.

The success of MIFF 2024 echoes the growing influence of Omani cinema on the global stage. The festival not only celebrates cinematic brilliance but also fosters cross-cultural collaboration, making a significant contribution to the ever-evolving world of film, the organisers said.

Sudha Sha, in-charge of international collaboration for the festival, said, “I brought the French film anatomy of a fall and other red carpet screening to the festival. Vox Cinema was our official partner while film personalities like Phil Robertson, Marie Perrie and Sohan Roy, were our key guests in the festival this year.”

Asked how the success of MIFF 2024 would pave the way for future ventures, Sha said, “The international film foundation of Oman, focused on creating , developing, and establishing the Arab film industry than on making a one-day event for stars to celebrate. We invited project proposals from Oman residents, both Omanis and expats, and we selected 5 feature films, 5 documentaries and 10 short films for which we will support in finding funds and market.

“Our Omani film – ‘The Watch Tower’ – represented Oman in the festival. We will also announce the selected project proposals soon and those films will be pitched in Cannes film festival this year. At present, there are 5 films from Oman getting ready to shoot under IFFO, which will finish by 2030. More projects and programmes will be announced soon.”