This Sunday morning, the media conference for the Dhofar International Film Festival was held at the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Dhofar
This Sunday morning, the media conference for the Dhofar International Film Festival was held at the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Dhofar Governorate, which is scheduled to be held during the period from 8-11 September under the slogan “Be Part of the Event”. The meeting was attended by a number of artists, filmmakers and representatives of various media outlets.
The festival aims to enhance the talents of creative people in the field of filmmaking, and promote Dhofar Governorate as a tourist destination, through the festival’s vision and mission of transferring Oman’s cultural and civilizational heritage to the world, and creating youth initiatives that enable young people to be creative and distinguished, and that reflect on job opportunities and local projects.
During the conference, Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Ajmi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Omani Cinema Association and Chairman of the Festival, stated that this event came as a continuation of the Association’s plan that was launched at Expo Dubai 2020 and the efforts it is making to enhance the cinematic movement throughout the Sultanate of Oman through film festivals in 6 governorates during the previous years. This year, Dhofar Governorate was added to it to become 7 governorates in order to enhance the cinematic culture among different segments of society, especially the youth.
Al Ajmi added: The identity and slogan of the festival came to reflect the youthful spirit in cinematic artistic works linked to nature and the depth of civilization in Dhofar Governorate. This was represented in the slogan, which came in the form of the letter Dhad with three symbols: the film strip symbolizing cinema and artistic work, the person symbolizing youth and filmmaking, and the frankincense tree symbolizing the cultural and civilizational value of the governorate.
He also mentioned that the festival will include several competitions this year in a number of areas, namely the Omani and international short feature films competition, and the Omani and international short documentary films competition. The festival awards include 6 awards divided into the best Omani feature film, the best international feature film, the jury award, the best Omani documentary award, the best international documentary film, and the jury award.
He also said: The festival’s jury was formed of specialists, artists and those working in the cinematic field from inside and outside the Sultanate of Oman. The jury for short narrative films will include director Nevin Shalaby from the Arab Republic of Egypt as chairwoman of the committee, and the membership of actor Abdullah Marai from the Sultanate of Oman, and music composer Mohammed Haddad from the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The jury of short documentary films included media figure Amer Al-Omari from the Sultanate of Oman as chairman of the committee, and the membership of director Mohamed Mahmoud from the Arab Republic of Egypt, and producer Roula Brosh from Lebanon.
The number of films participating in the festival reached 200 films from 18 countries around the world, including 166 international films and 34 Omani films, including 132 feature films and 68 documentary films.
During the festival, director Abdullah bin Haider, director Mohammed Al-Mardouf, actor Abdullah Marai, and artist Faisal Issa will be honored.
The main committee of the festival will include Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Ajmi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Association and Chairman of the Festival, Anwar Al Razqi, Vice Chairman of the Association and General Supervisor of the Festival, Dr. Rashid Al Yafei, Director of the Festival, Abdulaziz Al Habsi, Artistic Director, Maimouna Al Maamari, Financial Director, Abdullah Al Nasseri, Director of the Media Committee, Ruqayya Al Zaabi, Director of Marketing and Investment, and Khalifa Al Maawali, Director of Public Relations.
Regarding the festival program, Dr. Rashid Al Yafei, Director of the Dhofar International Film Festival, said: The festival will include on its first day, September 8, the opening ceremony at the Sultan Qaboos Center for Culture and Entertainment, during which the opening film (Dhofar Features) directed by Anas Al Dheeb will be screened. On its second day, there will be a biography and career session with artist Faisal Al Issa, screenings of a number of participating films at the Oasis Mall Police Cinema, and a workshop for presenting financing projects to platforms and channels with producer Rola Brosh. On its third day, it will include a tour for guests and participants, screenings of participating films at the Oasis Mall Police Cinema, a music, photography and directing workshop presented by author Mohammed Haddad, and a film festivals workshop presented by Mohammed Mahmoud, Director of the Alexandria Festival. On the fourth day, there will be a tour for guests and participants, and the closing ceremony of the festival and the announcement of the winning films at the Sultan Qaboos Center for Culture and Entertainment.
At the end of the conference, Mohammed Al Ajmi, Chairman of the Board of Directors and President of the Festival, expressed his thanks and appreciation to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, the Ministry of Information (Ain Platform), the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Cinepolis Cinema, Oman Oasis Company, Louvre, Al Hamrashi Integrated Projects, Raqiya Studio, Aanab, and Sweet Leta, for their support of the festival.
He also stressed that the material and tangible impact that the festival seeks to achieve through its implementation is to achieve Oman Vision 2040 in its pillars represented in preserving the Omani identity and Omani heritage, developing national competencies and capabilities, and achieving balanced development for the governorates.
Launch of Dhofar International Film Festival
Media conference
Festival launch and attendance
Attendance at the festival
Part of the festival
Conclusion:
The Dhofar International Film Festival aims to promote Oman’s cultural and civilizational heritage, enhance the talents of creative people in the field of filmmaking, and develop national competencies and capabilities. The festival will include several competitions, workshops, and screenings, and will be held from September 8-11.
FAQs:
Q: What is the main objective of the Dhofar International Film Festival?
A: The main objective of the festival is to promote Oman’s cultural and civilizational heritage, enhance the talents of creative people in the field of filmmaking, and develop national competencies and capabilities.
Q: What are the different competitions and awards that will be held during the festival?
A: The festival will include several competitions, including the Omani and international short feature films competition, and the Omani and international short documentary films competition. The festival awards include 6 awards divided into the best Omani feature film, the best international feature film, the jury award, the best Omani documentary award, the best international documentary film, and the jury award.
Q: Who are the members of the festival’s jury?
A: The festival’s jury includes specialists, artists, and those working in the cinematic field from inside and outside the Sultanate of Oman. The jury for short narrative films includes director Nevin Shalaby from the Arab Republic of Egypt, actor Abdullah Marai from the Sultanate of Oman, and music composer Mohammed Haddad from the Kingdom of Bahrain. The jury of short documentary films includes media figure Amer Al-Omari from the Sultanate of Oman, director Mohamed Mahmoud from the Arab Republic of Egypt, and producer Roula Brosh from Lebanon.
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