Latest news with #MuscatInternationalFilmFestival
Observer
12-08-2025
- Business
- Observer
Creativity, culture a driver of transformation
Oman is increasingly recognising the vital role of creative and cultural industries in supporting the knowledge economy and driving sustainable national development. These sectors contribute significantly to the country's GDP, diversify income streams and reinforce cultural identity, aligning with Oman Vision 2040's focus on investing in heritage, culture and the arts. Dr Salim bin Mohammed al Hinai, Assistant Professor at the University of Nizwa's College of Arts and Sciences, highlighted that creative industries encompass innovation-driven sectors such as traditional crafts, visual arts, literature, music, cinema, design and digital media. 'Notable progress has been made in producing Omani daggers, silver jewellery, and traditional textiles, especially in Nizwa and Suhar,' he said. 'Additionally, graphic design and digital content are growing rapidly on social media platforms, and Omani cinema is gaining both local and international recognition.' Cultural events like the Muscat International Book Fair and the Muscat International Film Festival underscore the sector's contribution to strengthening national identity and boosting the economy. Dr Al Hinai emphasised that creative industries generate valuable employment for Omani youth, promote sustainable economic models, and enhance cultural tourism by linking heritage with modern industries. They also open avenues in the digital economy through e-platforms for global marketing at relatively low investment costs. Badriyah bint Mohammed al Fooriyah, Director of Entrepreneurship at Riyada, stressed the agency's commitment to empowering creative entrepreneurs through training, mentorship, incubation and financial support. Riyada fosters strategic partnerships with cultural and educational institutions to maximise investment in Omani intellectual heritage and create contemporary cultural content. 'Creative industries offer promising opportunities for income generation, job creation and competitiveness, provided they are supported by a strong legislative framework and skilled workforce,' she said. Murtadha bin Abdulkhaliq al Lawati, Director-General of the Museum of Place and People, praised Omani traditional industries as a rich civilisational legacy, combining functionality with artistic expression. He warned against innovation that erases the core identity of local crafts, advocating for the preservation of their cultural and economic values to sustain heritage and promote cultural tourism. Khalid bin Sulaiman Ambusaidi, owner of Manazil Inn in Nizwa, added that authentic restoration projects like preserving the Omani heritage without alteration, showcasing national identity and enhancing Oman's global cultural image. To develop creative industries amid digital transformation, experts call for specialised restoration professionals and collaborative efforts to use modern technologies for heritage documentation and promotion — ensuring Oman's culture remains a sustainable resource for future generations. — ONA
Muscat Daily
11-08-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Creative industries seen as bridge between Oman's past and future
Muscat – Creative and cultural industries are emerging as a key driver of Oman's economic diversification, with potential to link heritage with innovation and support the goals of Oman Vision 2040. Dr Salim bin Mohammed al Hinai, Assistant Professor at the College of Arts and Sciences, University of Nizwa, while giving a background, underlined that creative industries encompass sectors that 'rely on innovation and individual talent, and contribute to transforming ideas into products and services with an economic dimension'. These range from traditional crafts and fine arts to literature, publishing, music, cinema, design and digital media. Dr Salim bin Mohammed al Hinai 'I have witnessed significant development in the Omani dagger industry, silver jewellery and traditional weaving, particularly in the wilayats of Nizwa and Suhar,' Dr Hinai said. 'There is also strong growth in graphic design, digital content production and the Omani film industry, as well as cultural events like the Muscat International Book Fair and Muscat International Film Festival. This sector supports Omani identity and the local economy.' He added that the sector creates jobs in design, crafts and digital content while linking heritage with modern products to enhance cultural tourism. 'It offers high added value at relatively low investment costs and opens the door to global partnerships that showcase Omani culture.' For Badriya bint Mohammed al Fouriya, Director of the Entrepreneurship Department at the Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Riyada), the creative sector is also a platform for entrepreneurship. 'Riyada works to empower owners of creative ideas through training, technical guidance, incubation programmes and financing facilities,' she said. 'We also partner with cultural, educational and community institutions to invest in Omani intellectual heritage and produce renewed cultural content.' She stressed that the sector can increase competitiveness, generate income and create jobs if supported by the right legislative framework and skilled national talent. Murtadha bin Abdul Khaliq al Lawati, Director General of the Place and People Museum, underlined the cultural value of traditional crafts. 'Omani traditional industries go beyond function to become visual and cultural expressions of identity,' he said, adding that they have gained international admiration for their craftsmanship. While welcoming innovation, he warned against altering heritage products in ways that compromise authenticity. 'Industries linked to heritage symbols, such as the Omani dagger, should be preserved in their original form,' he said. In Nizwa, entrepreneur Khalid bin Sulaiman Ambusaidi's 'Nuzul al Manazel' project restores heritage houses using traditional materials and designs. 'We kept the original structure intact, highlighting the moral and cultural value of the place,' he said. 'Such projects promote Oman abroad as a country that values and protects its heritage.' Ambusaidi believes the creative sector can thrive if restoration specialists highlight the stories behind heritage sites and use modern technologies for documentation and promotion. 'Creative industries can connect past and present, strengthen cultural identity, and turn heritage into a sustainable cultural and economic resource,' he said.
Observer
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Observer
Book on evolution of cinema in Oman unveiled
A book that documents the evolution of cinema in Oman in comparison to the global cinema scene was unveiled by Mohammed al Kindi, a renowned film-maker, actor and member of the Board of Oman Film Society (OFS) on Sunday. The 279-page book is the first of its kind to chronicle the journey of the film industry in the country over the past five decades. It also delves into the highs and lows that cinema experienced during the five decades since the 1970s, with a special focus on the transformative years under the late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos. It also provides a detailed account of how various film-makers, directors, writers, actors and other technicians shaped a distinct art form called cinema despite various challenges, including limited resources. Speaking to the Observer, Mohammed al Kindi expressed his expectation for the book to serve as a reference guide for future generations and emphasised the book's significance. 'This book is an ode to the pioneers who ignited the cinematic flame in Oman. Their stories are not just about making films, but about building a movement, often against all odds. The book doesn't only highlight film-makers, but also pays tribute to journalists, theatre personalities and business leaders who played vital roles in supporting the growth of the medium,' Al Kindi said. The book shines a light on great film personalities who strived for an authentic cinema culture in the country, including key figures of the Omani film industry such as cameramen Taghlib al Barwani and Mohammed al Zubair, OFS founding members Haitham al Tai and Dr Khalid al Zadjali, veteran journalist Shaikh Hamood al Siyabi, and the late actor-director Salim Bahwan. The book includes dedicated pages for various film festivals that have taken place in the country, such as the Muscat International Film Festival (MIFF) and Oman Film Festival, emphasising their roles in nurturing local talent and fostering international collaborations to develop better film-makers. The book also has a section dedicated to the history of OFS, from its early days as a meeting place for film enthusiasts to its current iconic headquarters located in Al Seeb. Al Kindi mentioned that the idea for the book was purely coincidental and first came to him while preparing a lecture for a book festival in France in 2019. 'While researching for my speech, I discovered fascinating stories of film-makers across Oman. That's when I knew this had to become a book,' he said. Over the next five years, Al Kindi travelled and met with different people from across the country, spoke to movie buffs, and collected stories and archives for the project. He also mentioned that he plans to release a second volume covering the period starting from 2020 onwards. The book was recently showcased at the WAVES Summit in Mumbai, where Mohammed al Kindi was invited as a guest by the Indian Embassy in Oman. The book can be obtained from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth and is also available at the OFS library.
Muscat Daily
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Muscat Daily
New book chronicles five decades of Omani cinema
Muscat – Filmmaker and Oman Film Society (OFS) board member Mohammad al Kindi has released a book – titled Tahwalet Cinema Omaniya 1970-2020 (History of Cinema in Oman) – documenting the evolution of the sultanate's film industry over five decades. The 279-page book is the first of its kind to trace the journey of Omani cinema, starting from the 1970s with special focus on the transformative years under the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said. It provides a detailed account of how passionate filmmakers, often with limited resources, shaped a distinct art form. Reflecting on the book's significance, Kindi said, 'This book is an ode to the makers who lit the cinematic flame in Oman. Their stories are not just about making films, but about building a movement, often against the odds. The book doesn't stop at filmmakers, also paying tribute to journalists, theatre personalities and business leaders who played vital roles in supporting the growth of the medium.' The book profiles key figures of the Omani film industry, including pioneering cameramen Taghlib al Barwani and Mohammad Zubair, OFS founding members Haitham al Tai and Khalid al Zadjali, veteran journalist Sheikh Hamood Siyabi, and the late actor-director Salim Bahwan. One section of the book covers the history of OFS, from its early days as a gathering of film enthusiasts to its current status as an influential institution headquartered in Seeb. It also touches on the impact of film fests, such as Muscat International Film Festival and Oman Film Festival, highlighting the role of these in nurturing local talent and fostering international collaborations. Mohammad al Kindi Kindi informed that the idea for the book took shape while he was preparing a lecture for a book festival in France in 2019. 'While researching for my speech, I uncovered fascinating stories of filmmakers across Oman. That's when I knew this had to become a book,' he said. Over the next five years, Kindi travelled across Oman, collecting stories and archives for the project. He plans to release a second volume covering the period starting from 2020. The book is currently available for purchase through Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth and can also be accessed at the OFS library. Kindi recently showcased his book at the WAVES Summit in Mumbai, where he was invited as a guest by the Indian Embassy in Oman.
