Cinema icons gather in Muscat as Gulf film

Saud al Ansari

Muscat, Nov 17

The Gulf Film Festival 2025 commenced on Sunday at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC), under the auspices of Sayyid Saud bin Hilal bin Hamad al Busaidy, Governor of Muscat.

The four-day festival brings together a distinguished group of Gulf film-makers from across the GCC member states. 26 Gulf films are competing for nine awards in feature films, short films, and documentaries.

Speaking on the occasion, Ibrahim bin Saif Bani Araba, Assistant Director-General for Arts and Festival Director, said the festival embodies a clear vision aligned with the Cultural Strategy 2021–2040, which aims to strengthen Oman’s cultural leadership and enhance its regional outreach. He explained that the festival offers a vital platform for Gulf talents to connect and exchange creative and technical expertise, showcasing the shared cultural identity of the region through the language of cinema.

The festival’s accompanying programme features a diverse range of activities and screenings, including an evening titled “From Story to Screen... Gulf Tales Inspiring Cinema,” highlighting the region’s cultural diversity and bridging traditional narratives with modern film-making. The event gathers notable Gulf figures such as Saudi actor Abdulmohsin al Namir, Emirati writer Mohammed Hassan Ahmed, Kuwaiti Ziad Abdullah al Husseini, Bahraini writer-director Shaikha Suha al Khalifa, and Omani director Mohammed al Kindi. The festival also presents a special screening of the Kuwaiti film “Buqshat Saad” directed by Mujbil al Faraj, attended by renowned actor Saad al Faraj.

Among the celebrated guests are prominent Gulf and Arab artists including Mohammed al Mansour, Huda al Khateeb, Fatima al Hosani, Bassem Yakhour, Ashraf Zaki, Rogina, Yaqoub Abdullah, Faisal al Amiri, Shaima Sabt, Ahmed Sharif, and Hussein al Haddad.

The festival also welcomes leading Omani actors who have significantly contributed to the local drama scene: Fakhriya Khamis, Saleh Zaal, Amina Abdulrasool, Talib al Balushi, Ibrahim al Zadjali, Buthaina al Raisi, Noor al Balushi, and Juma Heikal.

This wide participation highlights the festival’s role as a major platform for Gulf and Arab creativity, strengthening artistic and cultural exchange among film-makers in the region.

Syrian actor Bassem Yakhour emphasised the importance of interaction among film-makers in both cinema and television, noting that such festivals allow creators to observe the latest trends and developments in the regional film scene. Yakhour expressed his delight at the festival’s atmosphere and praised the high level of organisation.

Kuwaiti actor Saad al Faraj, one of the festival’s honourees, expressed his appreciation for the warm reception and recognition he received.

Saudi actor Abdulmohsin al Namir, also among the honourees, highlighted the importance of the Gulf Film Festival in promoting healthy artistic competition and unifying creative efforts.

Omani actor Juma Heikal expressed his delight at being honoured during the Gulf Film Festival, emphasising the significant symbolic value of the recognition. He also expressed hope that he and his colleagues would continue to meet the high standards expected of such an accolade.