AI can help boost film-making among Omani youth

Seventy-five young Omanis recently gained firsthand experience using Artificial Intelligence in film-making, sparking their creativity and desire to produce advanced films on par with international movies.

An exclusive workshop on AI in cinema-making was held as part of the Oman Film Society's (OFS) efforts to empower Omani youth and cultivate a new generation of creative film-makers in collaboration with the Youth Centre.

Titled 'Experience the Skill of Film-making with Artificial Intelligence', the specialised workshop was led by trainer Abdulaziz al Abri and took place across three governorates: Muscat, Al Sharqiyah North and Al Batinah North over nine days, running from July 20 to August 14.

Mohammed bin Abdullah al Ajmi, Chairman of the Oman Film Society, stated in an interview with the Observer that the ambitious project aimed to reach passionate film-makers.

"Through this workshop, we aim to connect with as many young people interested in film-making as possible and shape a generation of Omani film-makers equipped with modern film-making techniques," he said.

The workshop, which began in Muscat and travelled through Al Sharqiyah North before concluding in Suhar, Al Batinah North, attracted over 75 male and female students from across Oman. The training programme covered various topics, including scriptwriting principles and using AI tools to produce footage. The participants completed five practical projects over three intensive days to showcase their newly acquired skills.

Trainer Abdulaziz al Abri emphasised the promising level of creativity displayed by Omani youth during the workshop. He noted the participants' enthusiasm for interacting with AI tools and technologies and the impressive results achieved in a short time frame.

"This experience, conducted in three governorates, served as a platform for unleashing the talents and ambitions of young individuals, and the outcomes achieved in just nine days are a source of pride and optimism," he said.

Al Abri stressed the importance of continuing such training initiatives, highlighting that integrating AI into cinematic work is no longer a luxury but a necessity to keep pace with the global digital transformation in the industry.