Latest news with #BetaCarotene
Muscat Daily
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Muscat Daily
Omani filmmakers win top honours at Tunisian film fest
Muscat – Two Omani filmmakers have won top awards at the International Environmental Film Festival of Gabes in Tunisia, marking a significant achievement for Oman's growing film industry. Mohammed al Darwish received the Pomegranate Golden Award for Best Picture for his documentary Beta Carotene, which explores Oman's unique natural landscapes and the role of marine bacteria in the formation of mysterious inland lakes. The 12-minute film, combining live-action footage with animation, was selected from among over 145 submissions, with only 15 films making to the final competition. 'It took longer than expected because I wanted to undertake research and travel for the film,' said Darwish. 'I have always loved documentaries. I shot the scenes slowly and often took breaks. I wanted to create something distinct.' Darwish used a combination of cameras, including Canon 5D, Blackmagic, and GoPro, along with 11 different types of lenses – ranging from zoom to wide and prime. He also deployed drones for aerial shots. Post-production involved editing and colour grading using Adobe Premiere and DaVinci Resolve. The film was produced by the Oman Film Society, with support from assistant director and editor Hussain al Balushi, and scriptwriter Mohammed bin Khalifa al Rasbi. Abdullah al Raisi won the Pomegranate Silver Award for Best Film for his documentary Wetlands, which focuses on environmental themes. 'Winning this award motivates me and hopefully others to take risks, embrace innovation, and use cinema to tell our stories in new ways,' said Raisi. The Pomegranate Bronze Award was presented to Sardinelles une responsabilité from Tunisia, while I Will Not Leave Her from Yemen won the Best Production award. The annual festival in Gabes highlights environmental cinema and this year's edition featured entries from around the world, reinforcing the region's increasing recognition in global filmmaking.
Muscat Daily
15-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Muscat Daily
Omani films shine at Malda International Film Festival
Muscat – Two Omani films, Beta Carotene and Ta, have won top honours at the Malda International Film Festival in Kolkata, India, marking a significant achievement for Omani cinema on the global stage. Directed by Mohammed bin Ali al Darwaish, the films secured awards in two major categories, reflecting the growing recognition of Omani filmmakers internationally. The two-minute silent short film Ta won Best Short Film, while Beta Carotene was awarded Best Documentary Film. The festival, which received over 4,000 submissions from 43 countries, selected only 300 films for screening, making the achievement particularly notable. 'To win at such a competitive festival is a huge honour,' Darwaish told Muscat Daily. 'So far, the two films have collectively earned 12 awards from international festivals, and the recognition in India is another significant milestone.' Ta, produced during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlights the issue of child safety and kidnapping. Shot in Amerat and Muttrah, it presents a gripping narrative featuring five characters in emotionally charged situations. The film's production posed challenges, particularly as Darwaish experimented with animation for the first time. 'It took longer than expected because I ventured into animation. My background is in documentaries, so this was a new challenge. I shot the scenes, hand-painted elements, and then brought them to life with animation. I wanted to create something distinct.' Beta Carotene explores Oman's unique natural landscapes, focusing on its mysterious lakes and the marine bacteria that contribute to their formation. The 12-minute documentary, produced by Oman Film Society, was made with assistant director and editor Hussain al Balushi and scriptwriter Mohammed bin Khalifa al Rasbi.
Observer
15-03-2025
- Science
- Observer
OMANI FILM WINS BEST SHORT DOCUMENTARY
KOLKATA: An Omani short documentary, 'Beta Carotene', was awarded the Best Short Documentary at the Malda International Film Festival in Kolkata, India. The 12-minute film, produced by the Oman Film Society, showcases the stunning and diverse natural landscapes of Oman, with a focus on the country's unique lakes, which are named after a type of marine bacteria. The film was created by a talented group of young Omanis, including director Mohammed bin Ali al Darwish, assistant director and editor Hussain al Balushi, script and production manager Mohammed bin Khalifa al Rasbi, assistant photographer and location manager Abdulaziz al Habsi, and graphic designer Ali al Hanai. Additionally, Engineer Ahmed al Barwani and geologist Hussam al Rawahy contributed to the project. The competition, which saw over 4,000 films submitted, selected only 300 to compete for awards. Beta Carotene's victory highlights Omani talent on an international platform and celebrates the country's rich natural heritage. — ONA
