Amman: The Omani film "Rooted," directed by Sultan Al Qamshouhi, is being featured in the eleventh edition of the Jordan International Film Festival. The festival is organized by the Jordanian Ministry of Culture and will run until 24 September.
According to Oman News Agency, the participation of "Rooted" highlights a burgeoning Omani cinematic presence at Arab and international festivals. The film has already been showcased at several Arab cinematic events, including its participation in the Casablanca Arab Film Festival's seventh edition in 2026, marking the expanding reach of Omani cinema in the Arab film landscape.
"Rooted" was also featured at the Dhofar International Film Festival in the narrative films category, where it was screened alongside works from countries such as Portugal, England, Iran, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia.
The film is noted for its portrayal of the local Omani environment, utilizing a cinematic language enriched by visual treatment that incorporates the Omani setting as a central element of its narrative. Techniques such as color grading and editing are employed to create the film's visual identity and narrative rhythm, respectively, showcasing the director's meticulous attention to detail.
"Rooted" exemplifies the potential of short films to deliver a condensed narrative through image, detail, and rhythm, presenting a vision rooted in local specificity while appealing to a broader Arab audience.
The film's inclusion in the Jordan International Film Festival is significant, given the festival's role in gathering diverse cinematic experiences and participants, including artists, directors, academics, and critics from both Arab and international backgrounds.
The current festival edition attracted over two thousand film submissions globally, with specialized committees selecting eight films for the official competition, alongside six films produced by the Jordanian Ministry of Culture and six films from Jordanian universities.
