5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Muscat Daily
New online platform 'Aks' to showcase Oman's film productions
Oman's film industry gets a global boost with the launch of 'Aks' – a major milestone in the evolution of Omani cinema and a strategic step to promote independent productions – in Osaka
In a landmark move to support the sultanate's cultural and creative industries, Omani director Fahad Ramadan al Maimani has launched Aks, the first Gulf platform dedicated exclusively to showcasing Omani films. The announcement was made on May 23, 2025, at the Omani Pavilion during Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan.
Aks is a pioneering initiative that aims to strengthen Oman's presence on the regional and global cultural map. More than just a digital platform, it represents a promising cultural project that heralds a new era for independent digital filmmaking in the region.
Speaking to Muscat Daily from Japan, Maimani described Aks as an independent cultural and cinematic platform created to stimulate the artistic movement in Oman and enhance the visibility of independent cinema. The platform, he explained, provides a modern digital space where filmmakers can share their stories with both, local and international, audiences.
Maimani said he deliberately chose to unveil Aks during Expo 2025 in Osaka because of the event's global scale and multicultural reach.
'Expo 2025 brings together countries and cultures from across the world under one roof. It's the perfect stage to announce a platform like Aks which is built on the values of cultural dialogue, creativity, and innovation,' he said. 'By launching at the Expo, we wanted to signal that Omani cinema is ready to step onto the world stage.'
He further highlighted that Aks was developed to overcome persistent challenges faced by independent filmmakers, chief among them weak distribution networks and limited audience access.
He emphasised that Aks is part of a broader global movement that positions culture not only as a form of soft power but also as an economic opportunity and a developmental responsibility.
'The platform's vision goes beyond traditional exhibition,' he added. 'It seeks to redefine the relationship between audiences and cinema, between ideas and sound, and between image and belonging.'
Explaining the name, Maimani said Aks is inspired by the visual language of photography and filmmaking, drawing from icons and symbols commonly found in cameras, editing software, and film equipment. This visual connection, he noted, gives the platform a strong identity while evoking a sense of creativity and belonging in the audiovisual space.
Currently, Aks features a digital library with a curated selection of short narrative and documentary films, including White Gold, Never Dive Alone, ROPE, Loss, The Art of Life, Rhythm, Athar Fatima, and Color.
Maimani revealed that the platform will soon expand with the launch of a smart application that promises a unique and immersive viewing experience. The app – also named Aks – will be available on Apple Store and Google Play before the end of the year, offering audiences in Oman and beyond easy access to the country's growing body of cinematic work.
He described the launch of Aks as a major milestone in the evolution of Omani cinema and a strategic step toward enabling independent productions to assume a more influential role in both the Gulf and global cultural arenas. The platform, he said, seeks to empower filmmakers from all of Oman's governorates while building a comprehensive digital archive of local film productions.
In addition to promoting Omani voices, Aks is also designed to support the creative economy and attract investment into the sultanate's burgeoning film industry.
(Audiences can access the platform and explore its growing collection of Omani films by visiting
