Omani photographer wins best film award in Spain

MADRID: The film 'Sufrat Ramadan fi Sur' (Ramadhan Table in Sur) by Omani cinematographer Haitham al Farsi has won the Best Film award in the 'Urban-Rural Connectivity' category at the 2026 Food Film List competition, organised by the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism (IGCAT), headquartered in Barcelona, Spain.
The accolade was achieved in an international competition featuring over 100 films from around the world vying across 14 categories. The winning film offers a visual and cultural journey into the Ramadhan dining experience in the Wilayat of Sur, showcasing the customs and traditions associated with the holy month of Ramadhan, as well as the distinctive dishes and social practices that characterise the Sur table — reflecting the depth of the wilayat's cultural heritage and its historical uniqueness.
The film also highlights the close connection between Sur's culinary heritage and its rich maritime history, shaped over centuries by seafaring and commercial activity, as well as cultural exchange with numerous ports and communities. These influences are evident in aspects of the local cuisine, including its ingredients, flavours, and methods of preparation and presentation, rendering the Sur table a living testament to the region's history and its social and cultural memory.
This achievement holds particular significance amid the growing global interest in culinary tourism, gastronomic arts, and experiential travel, where local cuisine has become a vital means of discovering destinations and engaging with their cultures and communities. The tourism experience is no longer confined to visiting landmarks and sites; rather, it encompasses the authentic experiences that visitors live — experiences that reflect a place's identity and offer a deeper understanding of its culture, stories, and ways of life. - ONA