Oman strengthens its presence at international animation film festivals

Omani filmmaker Fahad al Hadhrami represented the Sultanate of Oman at the sixth edition of the Babylon Animation Film Festival 2026 in Iraq, where he served as a member and rapporteur of the international jury, marking another step in the growing presence of Omani talent at international cinematic platforms.
Al Hadhrami joined a distinguished panel of academics and filmmakers tasked with evaluating the competing entries and documenting the jury’s decisions. The committee was chaired by Iraqi academic Dr Maher Abdul Majeed and included Dr Nidal Abdel Khalek from Lebanon and Iranian filmmaker Ramak Amin Kazemi.
The festival, hosted under the auspices of Al Mustaqbal University in Babylon Governorate, brought together 37 films competing in its official selection. The entries represented a diverse range of countries, including Oman, Iraq, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Morocco, Ukraine, Russia, Tatarstan, Yemen, Tunisia and Palestine.
The competition showcased different animation techniques and explored a variety of artistic approaches and human experiences. The Iranian film It’s A Gray Gray World secured first place, while the Iraqi film Ai Studio, directed by Hisham al Shammari, received the Jury Award.
For al Hadhrami, the experience offered more than an opportunity to represent Oman. It provided a platform to explore emerging trends in animation filmmaking and contemporary production techniques while exchanging knowledge with filmmakers and jury members from different cultural and artistic backgrounds.

He described the experience as both enriching and inspiring, particularly for the professional insight it offered into international filmmaking standards and the different approaches adopted in evaluating animated productions.
His appointment to the international jury also highlighted the increasing opportunities for Omani creatives to contribute to the global film industry, not only through their productions but also through professional roles that influence artistic recognition and decision-making.
Al Hadhrami said such international participation helped strengthen cultural and artistic connections while reflecting the continued development of Oman’s creative scene. He believes these platforms can also encourage emerging Omani filmmakers to pursue opportunities beyond national borders and introduce their work to wider audiences.
Looking ahead, he hopes to continue producing innovative visual content while dedicating greater attention to training and transferring knowledge to young Omanis interested in animation.
He also expressed his intention to participate in more regional and international film festivals, representing Oman and helping create opportunities for the country’s emerging animation talents to reach international creative platforms.
Through these efforts, al Hadhrami aims to contribute to developing Oman’s animation sector while strengthening the country’s visibility in an increasingly interconnected global film community.