Five Omani films to make world premiere at Gulf Film Festival

The festival showcases 153 films - including 45 Emirati titles - from 31 countries until April 20 at the Grand Cinema in Dubai Festival City.

DUBAI // Seven Omani films will be shown during the fourth Gulf Film Festival that starts tomorrow, five of them making their world premiere.

The festival will showcase 153 films - including 45 Emirati titles - from 31 countries until April 20 at the Grand Cinema in Dubai Festival City.

Three Omani films will compete in the Gulf Shorts Competition, including the world premiere of Spices, by Amer Alrawas, which tells the story of four individuals at the same moment in time.

The Desert Angels, by Khalid al Khalbani, will also make its international premiere.

It is the story of a man who tries to eradicate racial discrimination from his life for his children's happiness.

Human Remains, a Kuwaiti and Omani co-production by Jassim al Nofaly and Meshal al Hulail, is the twin story of the emotional battles faced by a Kuwaiti ex-convict returning from Guantanamo Bay and an American soldier who escapes from the military.

Four Omani films were chosen for the student competition, including Sarmad Abdul Hameed al-Zoubidy's animated film, Accident. The film describes the effect of accidents on several individuals.

Maitham al Musawi will enter her adventure drama Raneen, the tale of a young boy who meets a sick girl in hospital and their blossoming friendship.

Issa al Subhi's Before Sunset is an experimental film that focuses on a disabled child's life, while Style by Sultan al Hussaini is a comedy that describes the changing style of today's youth.

Masoud Amralla al Ali, the director of the festival, said the seven Omani films were an example of the great strides made in the region, in terms of talent in the film industry.

"Inspiring talented youngsters from the region to pursue their ambitions in filmmaking has been one of the founding objectives of the Gulf Film Festival," Mr al Ali said.

This year's line-up includes 59 world premieres, 15 GCC premières and 10 UAE premieres.

The screening of 114 films will offer a glimpse of the latest events in the region. All films are free and open to the public.

The festival will open with the world premiere of an Iraqi documentary, Child of Iraq, by Ala'a Mohsen.

The film depicts the director's return to his home country after 14 years.