MUSCAT: The eighth edition of Muscat International Film Festival began on Sunday, promising an enthralling feast for cine goers in Oman. The week-long festival is being held at the Al-Bustan Palace Hotel and is organized by the Oman Film Society under the auspices of the Ministry of Heritage and Culture. It will have a total of 102 movies, including 11 Omani short films for screening at four different venues.

At a glittering ceremony, on Sunday, Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Al-Rowas, His Majesty the Sultan’s adviser officially inaugurated the festival.

The event saw a number of performances by artistes from countries across the region, including Sudan, Syria, as well as India.

A host of 110 celebrities from 30 countries including international actors, directors and technicians are attending the seven-day festival.

“We are glad to organize the eighth edition of MIFF in a grand manner. This film festival is just not about screening films but our aim is to build a film industry in Oman,” said Dr. Khalid Al Zadjali, Chairman of the OFS.

“We will screen 23 long feature films, 10 long documentaries, 22 short films and 47 short feature films,” he said. These films will be screened at the City Cinema Al Shatti, Muscat Grand Mall, Al-Bahja Complex and at the theater of the Oman Film Society.

“Our new state-of-the-art theater at the new headquarters of the OFS will screen movies during the festival,” he noted.

South Indian superstar Mammootty will be attending the closing ceremony of the festival. “We are indeed grateful to have the presence of legendary actor Mammootty who has made a significant contribution to the Indian cinema. His presence will be a major highlight of the film festival,” he noted.

Interestingly, for the first time, the film festival is televised live on Oman TV and Majan TV. “For the first time, the festival will be shown live and apart from that, it will also be broadcast on many foreign channels,” he said.

The awards — golden khanjar, silver khanjar and bronze khanjar — will be given for the best film, direction, cinematography, male actor, female actor and script at the end of the closing ceremony on March 29 at the Al Bustan Palace Hotel. The festival is also supported by Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Information and Public Authority for Radio and TV.

Apart from these, there will be a jury award and an award for the best film on women.