The Oman Film Society, represented by Dr Humaid al Amri, the society's president, signed a memorandum of cooperation with the African Film and Television Festival in Ouagadougou (FESPACO), represented by Moussa Alex Sawadogo, General Delegate.
The agreement was signed within the framework of the 11th Muscat International Film Festival in the Sultanate of Oman.
Both parties committed to collaboration in mutually participating in each other's festivals, sharing programmes and information related to cinematographic works, providing materials and logistical support, and financial assistance in film execution.
The agreement also involves exchanging experiences through participation in various activities and seeking to train film-makers and festival organisers.
Notably, the Ouagadougou African Film and Television Festival (FESPACO) was founded in 1969 and remains the largest cinematic event across Africa.
Alex explained, "FESPACO is the largest artistic event in Africa that will contribute to the exchange of experiences between technicians in Africa and the Sultanate of Oman. People in Burkina Faso will get to know Oman and Omani cinema, and what is happening in Oman. Additionally, they will discover its tourist and historical assets that may attract film-makers to shoot their films here."
He added that the participation of film-makers in Muscat International Film Festival opens up people to global cinema and interaction with experiences from different countries.
FESPACO's international reputation lies not only in the importance of its goals and tasks in the audiovisual film industry, but also in the organised biennial festival. FESPACO remains a place where film-makers from Africa and around the world aspire to promote and distribute their works.
Dr Al Amri explained that the Oman Film Society aims to provide a platform for Omani films to express their ambitions and contribute to enhancing and enriching this sector with the necessary experience that enables young people to make films.
"We want to make it an artistic and investment platform that generates income for its owners through hosting these festivals and signing agreements. Such agreements are crucial for film-makers, especially in the Sultanate of Oman," he said.
"As for the Burkina Faso festival, it is important as one of the oldest and largest gatherings of film-makers globally, comparable to Bollywood in India and preceding international Hollywood. This collaboration will enrich our experience by benefiting from their expertise and understanding the African cinema experience," he added.
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