Curtains Rise on Oman’s First European Film Festival

The festival, organized by the French Embassy in Oman and IFFO, runs from September 23 to 30, featuring 15 films from nine EU countries….reports Asian Lite News

The first European National Film Festival (EUFF) in Oman kicked off on Monday evening at VOX Cinema in Muscat, with dignitaries from European countries and members of the film fraternity in attendance.

Organized by the French Embassy in Oman in collaboration with the International Film Foundation of Oman (IFFO), the festival will run from September 23 to 30 and showcase 15 films from nine EU nations.

Films from France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Romania, Cyprus, Hungary, Austria, and Spain will be featured throughout the week.

The festival opened with the Dutch documentary Iceberg Riders, which highlights the impact of global warming on the Arctic region. The event offers a variety of genres, including drama, documentary, and animation, celebrating European cinema and culture.

Sudha Shah, Chairperson of IFFO, welcomed guests and highlighted the festival’s significance for Oman: “This marks a new era for cinema in Oman. We are excited to be the organizing partner, and for the first time, Oman will host a collection of films by renowned filmmakers from around the globe.

“Our goal is to train and scout Omani talent, ultimately creating six films in collaboration with international film industries,” he added.

The following films are scheduled to screen:

• Sept 24, 8 PM: Iceberg Riders (Dutch) – Directors: Ap Verheggen, Svebor Kranjc.
• Sept 24, 8 PM: When Will It Be Like It Never Was Again (Germany) – Director: Sonja Heiss.
• Sept 24, 6 PM: Campeones (Spain) – Director: Javier Fesser.
• Sept 25, 6 PM: Senior Citizens (Cyprus) – Director: Marinnos Kartikkis.
• Sept 25, 8 PM: Hello Again – A Wedding A Day (Germany) – Director: Maggie Peren.
• Sept 26, 6 PM: The Sentries of the Delta (Romania) – Director: Liviu Marghidan.
• Sept 26, 8 PM: You Gotta Be Kidding Me (Germany) – Director: Stefan Westerwelle.
• Sept 27, 8 PM: Wad (Netherlands) – Director: Ruben Smit.
• Sept 27, 6 PM: Girl From Tomorrow (Italy) – Director: Marta Savina.
• Sept 27, 8 PM: Tadeo Jones 3 (Spain) – Director: Enrique Gato.
• Sept 28, 8 PM: When Will It Be Like It Never Was Again (Germany) – Director: Sonja Heiss.
• Sept 28, 4 PM: Lo Sto Bene (Italy) – Director: Donato Rotunna.
• Sept 29, 8 PM: Checker Tobi and the Secret of Our Planet (Germany) – Director: Martin Tischner.
• Sept 30, 6 PM: Divertimento (France) – Director: Castille Mention-Schaar.

ALSO READ: Lammy says Euro-Atlantic security is foreign affairs, defense priority