Muscat: Oman Film Society has announced the opening of submissions for the 2026 Oman Film Festival, whose events will be held from 28 to 31 December 2026. The festival comes within the framework of the Society's endeavours to support and develop the Omani cinematic movement, empower national talent and enhance the presence of Omani expertise across the various fields of filmmaking.
According to Oman News Agency, the forthcoming edition of the festival comprises three principal competitions: the short narrative film competition, the short documentary film competition, and the artificial intelligence (AI) film competition. This reflects the festival's alignment with the accelerating developments in the film content industry and modern technologies. The festival's management has allocated financial and incentive prizes for the winners of first places and specialised artistic categories. Prizes will be awarded for each category of the artistic elements, including directing, screenwriting, cinematography, editing, musical composition, and male and female acting in the narrative competition. Additionally, a prize has been earmarked for the best promotional poster in both competitions.
In the artificial intelligence (AI) film competition, a prize has been allocated for the best cinematic work executed using AI technologies. Anwar Khamis Al Ruzaiqi, Chairman of Oman Film Society, stated that the festival aims to encourage the film industry in the Sultanate of Oman and support those engaged in the film sector across various specialisations-directors, writers, producers, cinematographers, editors, actors, technicians, and other talents who constitute the ecosystem of cinematic work.
He emphasized that developing the film industry extends beyond supporting film production alone, encompassing support and empowerment of all creative and artistic elements that contribute to the success of a cinematic work. Holding the festival this year coincides with the celebration of World Cinema Day, adding an additional dimension of honouring those engaged in the cinematic sector and celebrating their contributions and achievements in developing the artistic and cultural landscape.
Al Ruzaiqi highlighted that dedicating individual prizes for various artistic specialisations is a new qualitative feature offered by the Oman Film Society within the festivals it organises. This aims to highlight Omani talent and expertise across the various fields of filmmaking, stimulate excellence and professionalism, and foster positive competition among those working in this promising sector.
Regarding the organisational regulations for participation, the Society explained that the competition is reserved for Omani filmmakers, provided that the submitted works are of recent production and completed during 2025 and 2026, with the film's duration ranging between a minimum of 3 minutes and a maximum of 35 minutes. It is also required to attach an English translation for films spoken in Arabic or any other language and to submit the final approved version in high quality (Full HD 1080p) in MOV or MP4 formats via a direct, downloadable electronic link.
The festival's general rules affirmed the necessity for participating works to adhere to public values and ethics, being free of any content promoting violence, discrimination, or hatred, or conflicting with public taste. It also requires that the film has not been previously screened or broadcast via television channels, electronic platforms, or any public media outlet, with the participant acknowledging ownership of all intellectual and legal rights pertaining to the submitted work.
Oman Film Society noted that 1 November 2026 will be the final deadline for receiving participation requests via the dedicated electronic form. They are calling upon Omani filmmakers to avail themselves of this national platform to showcase their creations and contribute to the growth and development of the film industry in the Sultanate of Oman.
