Gulf Film Festival opens submissions for participation
Muscat: The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth has announced the opening of submissions for the upcoming Gulf Film Festival, scheduled to take place in Muscat during 16-19 November 2025.
The event will be organised in collaboration with the Secretariat General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and aligns with the festival's regulatory framework established by the GCC Secretariat General, as part of the implementation of the GCC Cultural Strategy 2020-2030.
The ministry has extended an invitation to all Omani filmmakers to submit their works and compete across the festival's various categories, including feature films, short films, and documentaries.
Participants will vie for financial awards, with prizes awarded for Best Feature Film, Best Short Film, and Best Documentary, in addition to other awards such as Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Original Score, and Best Actor and Actress.
This event presents a promising opportunity for Omani talent to showcase their creativity on a Gulf-wide platform, reinforcing Oman's presence in the regional cinematic landscape.
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Times of Oman
14 hours ago
- Times of Oman
First fully indoor, multi-range shooting complex opens
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Developed and delivered by the Special Projects Division of Khimji Ramdas (KR) in partnership with Cubic Technologies Singapore PTE LTD — a global name in advanced defence training systems —Action Point marks a significant milestone for shooting sports and security training infrastructure in Oman. 'This is more than just a facility — it's an experience that combines adrenaline, precision, and professionalism,' said Col (Retd) Nasser bin Ali Al Amri, General Manager of Action Point. 'Through our collaboration with Khimji Ramdas and Cubic Defence, we've brought international-level shooting disciplines to Oman with the highest standards of safety and supervision. Our aim is to nurture responsible firearms sportsmanship and create an atmosphere where people feel both inspired and secure.' The sprawling complex includes two 25-metre pistol ranges equipped with retrievable targets for 9mm handguns, two 50-metre tactical ranges featuring advanced Location of Miss and Hit (LOMAH) systems, and a 100-metre rifle range tailored for 5.56mm calibre firearms. But what truly elevates Action Point to a class of its own is its fully indoor shotgun skeet and trap range — an exceedingly rare feature even by global standards. An air gun range is also under development, further expanding the facility's appeal to a broad spectrum of users. In terms of technology, each range is equipped with smart bullet traps that safely direct fired projectiles into specialised collection channels. Complementing these are electronic target systems that offer real-time feedback, enabling more accurate assessment and training. A specially engineered air purification system ensures that dust and gases generated during live firing are swiftly removed, maintaining a safe and clean indoor environment. The facility has been thoughtfully designed to cater to a diverse clientele. From beginners trying their hand at shooting for the first time to competitive marksmen training for international tournaments, Action Point offers tailored packages and supervised sessions. It also supports the tactical training needs of private security personnel and government agencies, ensuring wide-ranging utility. Every visitor is given a thorough safety briefing upon arrival and is continuously supervised by qualified instructors, reflecting the facility's unwavering focus on professionalism and best practices. Omani talent has been a central part of the project's success. In coordination with the Ministry of Labour, Action Point recruited and trained Omani jobseekers — men and women alike — who underwent intensive instruction from global experts. This localisation strategy has not only created jobs but also developed a skilled cadre of personnel capable of managing and operating a high-spec, internationally aligned shooting facility. Speaking at a recent media tour of the facilities, Varun Pankaj Khimji, Director of Khimji Ramdas LLC, said, 'We are proud to support Action Point's mission of enhancing responsible firearms sporting in the region. This project reflects our commitment to delivering turnkey, high-performance solutions that support national training infrastructure and innovation. The facility is another example of the vision and capability of our Special Projects Division.' Rajneesh Armugham, General Manager – Special Projects at Khimji Ramdas, said: 'We are proud to have delivered this sophisticated training facility that not only meets international safety and operational standards but also showcases our division's capability in managing complex, defence-aligned infrastructure projects. Our collaboration with Cubic Defence has brought cutting-edge technology into Oman, and we're confident Action Point will become a go-to destination for hobbyists, competition shooters, and private security agencies alike.' The KR Special Projects Division will also continue to support the facility over the next two years through a comprehensive technical support and maintenance contract, ensuring operational continuity and sustained quality through a dedicated in-house team. Open to individuals aged 16 and above, Action Point welcomes private enthusiasts, corporate teams, educational institutions, and government organisations with tailored offerings. The facility is expected to host regional tournaments in the near future, positioning Oman as a hub for competitive shooting and sport. With its exceptional mix of features, world-class equipment, and climate-controlled indoor design, Action Point is not just a first for Oman — it's a regional trailblazer in modern recreational shooting. The facility is open daily from 8:00am to 10:00pm, Sunday to Saturday.
Times of Oman
19 hours ago
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Oman participates in 164th session of GCC Ministerial Council
Kuwait: The Sultanate of Oman participated in the 164th session of the GCC Ministerial Council in Kuwait, which discussed the latest developments in joint Gulf cooperation across political, economic, security, and developmental fields to enhance integration and prosperity in the region. Oman's delegation was headed by Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister, while the session was chaired by Abdullah bin Ali Al-Yahya, Kuwait's Foreign Minister and current President of the Council, in the presence of GCC foreign ministers and the GCC Secretary-General. As for the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, the heads of delegations stressed the need to intensify efforts in cooperation with the international community to halt Israeli aggression, protect Palestinian civilians, ensure unimpeded humanitarian aid delivery, and facilitate the safe return of displaced persons. They underscored their firm stance demanding the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and all occupied Palestinian territories in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions. The Council commended the intensive efforts of Qatar, Egypt, and the United States to reach a comprehensive ceasefire agreement in Gaza. Additionally, the Council welcomed the talks between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran, lauding Oman's role in hosting and facilitating these high-level discussions. It expressed support for these diplomatic efforts, emphasizing the importance of dialogue in resolving disputes peacefully, and expressed hope that the talks would contribute to regional and international security and stability. As far as Syria is concerned, the Council welcomed the formation of the new Syrian government and viewed positively U.S. President Donald Trump's response to lift sanctions on Syria, as well as the UK's announcement to amend or cancel certain sanctions.
Times of Oman
19 hours ago
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Royal Office Minister receives ambassador of Russia
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