Oman to host Fourth International Arab Film Festival, Cinemana from Feb 4

The Sultanate of Oman will host the Fourth International Arab Film Festival, Cinemana, for the second time in a row at two locations, Muscat and Musandam, from February 3 to 8, according to the organisers of the Fest.

As many as 121 films — 43 short and long films from Oman, Egypt, Morocco, Syria, Algeria, UAE, Sudan, Iraq, Palestine, Bahrain, Iran, Serbia, Portugal, India, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan and Tunisia will be screened at the two venues, Lunar Cinema in Al Muzn Mall in the Wilayat of Seeb and Musandam sports club in Khasab.

The opening ceremony will be held under the auspices of Salim bin Mohammed al Mahrouqi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism, at 11 am on Saturday, February 4, at the stage of the Scout Band in Ghala Heights, in the presence of celebrities, film-makers, influencers on social media and others.

10 FILMS

In the feature film section, 10 films: from Jordan “Al Kamin” directed by Ashraf al Abadi, from Syria “Al Hakim” directed by Basil al Khatib, from Kuwait “Oscar” directed by Mohammed al Hamli, from India “Ayisha” directed by Aamir Pallikkal, from Algeria “Halim al Ra’ad” directed by Bin Abdullah Mohammed, from Serbia, Jordan and Romania the movie “A Cross in the Desert” directed by Hadzi-aleksandar Djurovic, from Iraq “The Last Messengers” directed by Saad al Assami, from Egypt “Wesh al Qafs” director by Dina Abdel Salam, from Saudi Arabia “Hayat a Woman” by Samir Aref, and from the UAE the movie “218 Behind the Wall of Silence” by Nahla al Fahd.

33 SHORT FILMS

Also participating in the short film competition are 33 films, including fiction, animation and documentaries, from the Sultanate of Oman the movie “Al Drooj” by

Dr Hamid al Amri and the movie “Pitacarotene” by Mohammed al Darushi, from Egypt the movie “Rainy Spring” by Ahmed Khalil Ali and the movie “Phase” by the director Engy Hossam, “Sarah” by Abdullah Adel, “The Voice of God” by Shadi al Masoudi, “What We Cannot See” by Adham Yahya, “Maktoub” by Mohammed Rabie, “Two Rooms and a Hall” by Mina Maher Milad, “The Last Message” by Walid Sari, “To Live in Another Place” by Safaa al Sayed, and the movie “The Road to Ramallah” by director Mohammed Issa, from Palestine “My Crutch” by Ahmed Tariq Hamad, “Crowned with Laurel Leaves” by Hayat Amjad, and “Six Days Are Not Enough” by the two directors, Mahmoud Abu Shamsia and Thaer Metwally, from Iraq the movie “Article 57” by Ali Hassan Abbas, “Sherine” by Zaid Shukr, “The Last Promises” by Ali Abdel Sattar, “Sukrah” by Mohammed Abdel Amir, “Peace” by Faten Karim, “Traffic Light” by Mohammed Khudair, and “Naima” by Sami Seif, from Morocco “The Secret of the Seal” and “Inverse” by Abdelrahim Bouklas, “Clowny’s Mama” by Manal Goa and “Tarifs/ Takhareef” by Aziz Bojh. From Syria and France the movie “The Odour of Orange” by the Malas brothers, and from Syria the movie “Abha” by Rabab Merhajo, “Sabbat” by Hossam Hamo, and the movie “Very Long” by Robin Issa, and from Tunisia the movie “Krenti” by Aziz al Shennawy, from Sudan “Cinnamon Dalia” by Khairy Samir, and from the UAE the movie “Curtain” directed by Majed al Jasmi and Khalifa al Bahri.

EFFECTIVE MEDIUM

“Film Festival is an effective medium to promote cinema as well as tourism and culture and we aim at identifying the cultural, civilisational and developmental features in the two governorates, as they are characterised by historical and geographical components,” said Dr Khaled al Zadjali, Chairman of the Organising Committee and Vice-president of the General Union of Arab Artistes, Dr Talib bin Mohammed al Balushi, Vicepresident of the Festival, and Saleh bin Mahfouz al Qasimi, Chairman of the Media Committee.

They said that since the launch of the first session in 2020, the festival has proven its importance in embracing the passion and creativity of Omani and Arab youth.

“The organising committee of the festival has made a determined and sustainable effort to continue and develop the festival with the aim of conveying the voices of young people and their artistic ideas to all parts of the world,” adds Dr Talib.

OPENING CEREMONY

The opening ceremony programme will include a visual presentation of the films participating in both competitions and a speech by the festival’s president and the General Union of Arab Artists, then cinematic dramas and musical performances, in addition to honouring some directors.

Al Zadjali explained that the festival’s vision is based on exploiting the enormous energies of youth and creating a cinematic platform around which all filmmakers and artistes gather to get to know their peers in the countries of the great Arab world, and keep pace with the trends of advancing creativity and culture among all segments of society.

“In support of the principles of love and tolerance, we, as founders and organisers of this festival, seek to disseminate works through artistic, cultural, literary and cinematic platforms around the world,” he added.