13 April 2009
MUSCAT -- Three Omani films are being screened in the second edition of the Gulf Film Festival (GFF), which started last Thursday at Grand Cinemas Festival City in Dubai under the patronage of Sheikh Majid bin Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, chairman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture).
GFF is an yearly cultural event that aims to develop film culture in the region. The festival hosts two competitions: film competition and script competition. The film competition is being held for Gulf's feature films, short films and documentaries, whereas the script competition is for the Emirati short films. Gulf's students are also given an opportunity to participate in the short films and documentary categories.
GFF is screening a total of 169 films from 32 countries around the AGCC and beyond, in six days of free public screenings from April 9 to 15. From the AGCC, the UAE leads the numbers with 38 films, followed by Saudi Arabia with 27. There are nine films from Bahrain, 15 from Iraqi filmmakers, six from Kuwait, two from Qatar, three from Oman and one from Yemen.
Dawood and Yasir Al Kiyumi from Oman are participating in the student category with their inspiring short film, Discover Your Power.
The film's main message is that everyone has some unique skills and talents that can only be uncovered by striking at the source of her power. Here it may be recalled that Dawood and Yasir made a name for themselves at the 2008 GFF by winning the first prize in the students' category for their previous short film Realism Beats.
Another Omani film that is being shown in the students' section is Al Qant, directed by Al Motasim Al Shaqsi who is a media student at the Applied Science College and the head of the media group in the university.
The film's synopsis goes like this: a group of kids are playing hide-and-seek; when one of them hides in a deserted house, he hears voices come from a room. Then, he tries to discover the secret behind the voices.
The third Omani film at the GFF is Raheel, directed by Jasim Al Batashi who is an actor and director with experience in TV and theatre. Jasim is taking part in the official competition. Raheel's is about life's quest for freedom and stability.
Gulf Film Festival is brought by Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), and is held in association with Dubai Studio City.
MUSCAT -- Three Omani films are being screened in the second edition of the Gulf Film Festival (GFF), which started last Thursday at Grand Cinemas Festival City in Dubai under the patronage of Sheikh Majid bin Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, chairman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture).
GFF is an yearly cultural event that aims to develop film culture in the region. The festival hosts two competitions: film competition and script competition. The film competition is being held for Gulf's feature films, short films and documentaries, whereas the script competition is for the Emirati short films. Gulf's students are also given an opportunity to participate in the short films and documentary categories.
GFF is screening a total of 169 films from 32 countries around the AGCC and beyond, in six days of free public screenings from April 9 to 15. From the AGCC, the UAE leads the numbers with 38 films, followed by Saudi Arabia with 27. There are nine films from Bahrain, 15 from Iraqi filmmakers, six from Kuwait, two from Qatar, three from Oman and one from Yemen.
Dawood and Yasir Al Kiyumi from Oman are participating in the student category with their inspiring short film, Discover Your Power.
The film's main message is that everyone has some unique skills and talents that can only be uncovered by striking at the source of her power. Here it may be recalled that Dawood and Yasir made a name for themselves at the 2008 GFF by winning the first prize in the students' category for their previous short film Realism Beats.
Another Omani film that is being shown in the students' section is Al Qant, directed by Al Motasim Al Shaqsi who is a media student at the Applied Science College and the head of the media group in the university.
The film's synopsis goes like this: a group of kids are playing hide-and-seek; when one of them hides in a deserted house, he hears voices come from a room. Then, he tries to discover the secret behind the voices.
The third Omani film at the GFF is Raheel, directed by Jasim Al Batashi who is an actor and director with experience in TV and theatre. Jasim is taking part in the official competition. Raheel's is about life's quest for freedom and stability.
Gulf Film Festival is brought by Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), and is held in association with Dubai Studio City.
By Rahima Salim
© Times of Oman 2009
