Participation opens for 3rd Al Batinah International Film Festival
Participation will be accepted until 20 September through the festival's official online forms.
Held biennially, the Al Batinah International Film Festival serves as a cultural and artistic platform aimed at promoting Oman and its governorates both locally and internationally, spreading cinematic culture within society, and stimulating artistic engagement among youth while enhancing the quality of Omani film production.
This edition is organised under the supervision of Oman Film Society in partnership with several public and private sector institutions, as part of efforts to strengthen Oman's cinematic presence at regional and international levels.
Oman Film Society invites all interested filmmakers, production companies, and cinema enthusiasts to submit their works across the festival's official competition categories.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Muscat Daily
8 minutes ago
- Muscat Daily
Indian Embassy screens short anti-drugs film ‘Paru'
Muscat – Indian Embassy in Muscat hosted a screening of Paru on Monday in the presence of H E GV Srinivas, Indian Ambassador to Oman, as chief guest, and Omani actor Talib al Balushi as guest of honour. Paru is a short film made as part of the World Malayalee Federation's anti-drug campaign. Written and directed by Kabeer Yousuf, Paru tells the story of an Indian couple living in a Gulf state whose drug-addicted teenage son dies prematurely. The tragedy pushes the mother into mental distress, requiring treatment, while the father struggles to cope with his disturbed personal and professional life. The narrative unfolds as a journey through grief, struggle and rediscovery of love. Produced by Ameen Mohammed and Sajimon George under the banner of Bhavalaya, the 37-minute film explores the emotional burden of drug abuse, particularly on mothers who often suffer in silence. Oman-based actors Anita Rajan and Somasundaram play the lead roles, supported by Kiran Hariprasad, Ashok Kumar, Ryan George and Vishruth. The film also features students from Thalassery Brennan HSS in Kerala. Dr J Ratnakumar, founder of Bhavalaya and Global Chairman of World Malayalee Federation, said, 'As an organisation active in Oman for over a decade, our efforts have always aimed to bring people together through art, literature and film.' The film's cinematography, editing and makeup are credited to Vishnu Venugopal, Jaffer PC and Azra Aleem respectively.
Muscat Daily
8 minutes ago
- Muscat Daily
Omani films showcased at 14th Arab Film Festival in Korea
Muscat – Oman Film Society (OFS) presented two Omani productions – Al Manyoor by Mohammed bin Abdullah al Ajmi and Never Dive Alone by Fahad bin Ramadan al Maimani – at the 14th Arab Film Festival in Korea. Organised by Korea-Arab Society, the festival ran from July 18 to August 3 and featured entries from 12 Arab countries. The Omani films were screened at Busan Cinema Centre and Gwangju's National Asian Culture Centre. Both films were also made available on Naver TV extending reach to audiences across South Korea. OFS's participation aligned with its ongoing efforts to enhance the presence of Omani cinema on international platforms, promote national productions that reflect the identity of Omani society, and share cultural narratives with a wider audience. Al Manyoor focuses on the traditional game of Al Zamt, capturing the competitive spirit and preparations of teams, venue setup and judging procedures. Central to this tradition is the Al Manyoor, a large traditional wooden apparatus fitted with a motor designed to produce a loud sound. 'Delving into a treasured cultural heritage, the film is in documentary format and relies on the distinctive sound of the Al Manyoor to tell the story,' Ajmi said. He described Al Manyoor as an attempt to document a 'living tradition closely associated to coastal life through a cinematic language that resonates globally'. Never Dive Alone follows the journey of Omani sailors Faisal al Yazidi and Ahmed al Busaidi, highlighting their bond with the sea. The film explores the natural marine beauty of Oman, blending adventure with environmental reflection. Ajmi described participation in the festival in Korea as an important milestone. 'It is not only a cultural and artistic accomplishment, but also a responsibility to preserve and share the maritime heritage of the sultanate,' he stated. Participating in film festivals abroad is part of OFS's broader vision to support and empower Omani filmmakers and to showcase their creative work in global forums that celebrate artistic expression and cultural diversity.
Times of Oman
a day ago
- Times of Oman
Oman's Child Culture Award boosts national belonging among children
Muscat: The Child Culture Award stands as one of the pioneering initiatives launched by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth to nurture children's and adolescents' literary and intellectual expression while reinforcing their connection to Oman's national identity and cultural heritage. The award encourages creative expression among children and fosters engagement with themes of identity and belonging. Ahmed Nasser Al Rashdi, Head of the Child Culture Department at the Directorate General of Knowledge and Cultural Development, stated that the ministry introduced the Child Culture Award in 2021 through its two categories, 'Speak So I Can See You" and 'Oman Narrates." The initiative aims to deepen Omani cultural awareness and instill loyalty and national pride in children while enhancing their expressive and imaginative skills. Each year, the award revolves around three distinct themes. Al Rashdi explained that the competition targets both children and professionals in child culture. The first category, 'Speak So I Can See You," is open to Omani and resident children aged 7 to 12, seeking to identify gifted young speakers who can eloquently represent Oman in media and public forums. The second, 'Oman Narrates," invites Omani and Arab writers residing in Oman to produce child-friendly literature that highlights the nation's cultural heritage for global audiences. This year's 'Speak So I Can See You" competition saw 523 participants in its preliminary stage—a 133-participant increase from the previous edition—attributed to awareness workshops organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Education's Career Guidance Centre, involving 70 supervisors and teachers nationwide. Participants submitted videos on themes such as designing a household robot, representing Oman internationally, or proposing a tourism project showcasing Omani identity. Meanwhile, 'Oman Narrates" attracted 124 entries, up by 84 from last year. Writers crafted stories centered on Omani seasonal traditions—such as Eid, Khareef, rose and pomegranate harvests, and local festivals—to introduce Arab children to Oman's intangible heritage through engaging visual storytelling. Notably, the 2025 edition marked the first participation of children with disabilities, including 7 visually impaired and 2 physically impaired contestants. Al-Rashdi emphasised the award's role in uncovering new literary talents, particularly among educators who deeply understand children's mindsets. The ministry has published five books on Omani heritage for children, compiling winning entries from past competitions. In the 2025 finals, five children—including two visually impaired participants—advanced after direct interviews held during 6-8 July. Five winning texts, unranked, will be edited and published in 'Oman Narrates – Part 4." Arab writers residing in Oman represented five nationalities: Egypt (5), Yemen (3), Lebanon (1), and Tunisia (1). All 'Speak So I Can See You" submissions this year focused on 'Representing Omani Etiquette in International Forums.'
