Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman will participate in the 4th Gulf Film Festival (GFF) in its fourth session, organised by the Saudi Film Commission from April 14 to 18 in Riyadh.

Oman will be represented by a delegation from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, which includes film-makers and other officials.

Among the participating Omani films are Al Banjari, directed by Moosa al Kindi, Clouds, directed by Muzna al Musafer, Bird Paradise, directed by Abdullah al Raisi, and Al Mawarid, directed by Mohammed al Ajmi.

The festival will honour veteran film personalities who made valuable contributions to cinema in GCC including the Omani actor Ibrahim al Zadjali, also a member of the festival’s jury. The festival’s activities also include 3 training workshops and 6 educational seminars aimed at creating artistic and cultural communication to develop and enhance the effective role of cinema, and deepen the sense of the status of cinema and its role in social life.

GFF will be held under the auspices of Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan al Saud, Saudi Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Film Commission.

The festival, which is organised by the Film Commission in cooperation with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) General-Secretariat, will be held over five days, from April 14 to 18.

The festival serves a dual purpose: supporting the regional film industry and fostering artistic exchange on a global scale. The ultimate aim is to cultivate a thriving Gulf film industry that empowers local talent, celebrates Gulf values and strengthens cultural identity.

The GFF will not only showcase a competitive selection of 29 films from all GCC countries, but also honour veteran actors for their contributions to Gulf cinema. Additionally, the festival offers a platform for learning and development through three training workshops and six educational seminars focused on fostering artistic dialogue and raising awareness of cinema’s social impact.

Film-makers will vie for prestigious awards across various film-making categories, including short films, feature films, screenplays, soundtracks and acting. These awards serve as a testament to the Film Commission’s dedication to nurturing Gulf cinematic talent and propelling the region’s film industry forward.