Saturday 11 / October / 2025
Muscat: A delegation from the Oman Film Society (OFS) took part in the activities of the 37th Isfahan International Festival for Children and Youth Films, held in the city of Isfahan in the Islamic Republic of Iran, with the participation of prominent filmmakers and creatives from around the world.
The Omani delegation included representatives from the OFS: Dr. Jinan Mahdi Aal-Eisa, who served as a jury member for the international film competition, and Dr. Hamid Said Al Amri, who participated as a guest of the festival, alongside Dr. Shabeer Abdul Rahim Al Ajmi, who also attended as a guest.
Speaking about the festival and the Omani presence, Dr. Jinan Aal-Eisa expressed her delight in serving on the international films jury, emphasising that the festival represents an important platform for discovering young talent and encouraging film productions dedicated to children and youth.
She stated: “The participation of the OFS in such international events reflects Oman’s commitment to cinema as a cultural and educational medium, and it enhances the presence of Omani filmmakers on the global cinematic stages”.
In addition, Dr. Hamid Al Amri noted that the participation comes within the framework of cultural and artistic cooperation between the Sultanate of Oman and the Islamic Republic of Iran, saying: “The festival provided valuable opportunities to connect with directors and producers from various countries, and to explore future avenues of collaboration in producing and distributing films for children and youth”.
The festival featured competition among a distinguished lineup of international and Iranian films. Awards in the International Feature Film category covered several areas, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Acting, and Best Artistic Achievement.
The Canadian film “Miss Botts” won the Best International Film Award for children and youth. The Iranian film “The dedicated Orphanage” received the Best Director Award, while the Best Screenplay Award went to the Iranian film “K-Poper.” The Danish film “Honey” won for Best Acting, and the Chinese film “The Storm” received the Best Artistic Achievement Award.
The participation of the OFS in the Isfahan Festival aligns with its strategy to enhance Omani presence in international film events and to exchange expertise with cinematic institutions worldwide.
The Society affirms that such engagements open new horizons for Omani filmmakers, allowing them to gain exposure to the latest artistic practices in children’s and youth cinema. This contributes to the development of local film production and strengthens Oman’s cultural and cinematic presence regionally and internationally.
