Dhofar International Film Festival expands Oman's tourism horizons

SALALAH – The first edition of the Dhofar International Film Festival kicked off on Sunday at the Sultan Qaboos Youth Complex for Culture and Entertainment in Omani city of Salalah, with the participation of 41 films in two competitions for narrative and documentary films.

Held under the slogan ‘Be Part of the Show’, the festival aims to foster youth initiatives that encourage creativity and provide job opportunities. It also aims to develop the talent of aspiring filmmakers and promote the Governorate of Dhofar.

The opening ceremony included a visual presentation titled “Features of Dhofar Governorate”, and another about excerpts from the participating films in their narrative and documentary categories from 18 countries around the world, in addition to various artistic segments and honouring the judging committees and a number of artists, film directors, and sponsors and supporters of the festival.

The festival honoured at the opening ceremony from the Sultanate of Oman director Abdullah bin Haider, director Mohammed Al-Mardouf, and actor Abdullah Marai, in addition to Kuwaiti actress Haya Al-Shuaibi, Saudi actor Faisal Al-Essa, and Bahraini actress Reem Arhama.

Festival Director Rashid bin Abdullah Al Yafei said at the opening ceremony that “the organization of the first edition of the Dhofar International Film Festival comes to achieve several goals in the aspects of the film industry, the most important of which is refining the skills of filmmakers in writing, scenario and photography.”

"The festival represents a favorable opportunity, through workshops and film screenings, to qualify young artists and creators, to view and open up to many pioneering and distinguished cinematic experiences at the regional and international levels, to discover talents, and to provide an ideal environment to support Arab cinema," he added.

The festival, organised by the Oman Film Society, includes the participation of 41 qualified films out of nearly 200 films, divided into two categories: short narrative films with 22 films, and documentaries with 19 films.

The jury includes specialists, artists and those working in the field of cinema, especially in narrative and documentary films, from inside and outside the Sultanate of Oman.

The festival, which will continue until September 11, is part of the Oman Film Society’s plan to hold international festivals in various governorates of the Sultanate to support the film industry and enhance tourism attraction.

Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Ajmi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Oman Film Society, pointed out the Society’s efforts in establishing multidisciplinary initiatives through holding film festivals to benefit from expertise and hone skills in the world of cinema.

The association seeks to build bridges between cinematic cultures of all spectrums, visions and trends, highlighting the antiquity and heritage of the Sultanate of Oman, according to Al Ajmi, stressing that cinema is one of the tools used by countries to promote tourism and that one film can make something happen, and can shorten and condense years of effort to promote tourism for any country, stressing the importance of cinematic arts in spreading awareness and cultural communication between peoples.