(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) Oman's entertainment industry is taking slow but steady strides towards fame. More and more youngsters from Oman are making their way into international film festivals. However, what makes it more interesting is that these are not professional filmmakers, neither are they studying filmmaking.
They are painting their celluloid dreams with DSLRs, a high-end PC, affordable editing software and a crew consisting of like-minded friends.
Jamil al Yaqoobi, director and media coordinator of Oman Film Society (OFS), said, ''Films in Oman are undergoing a renaissance with more and more youngsters either aligning themselves with established film-makers, attending courses or making independent movies for film festivals.'' Upcoming directors and actors have been experimenting with latest formats, screenplays, camcorders and editing software, he said. They are coming up with stories that question social dogma, gender and environmental beliefs.
Sultan Khalfan al Abdali, a self-trained filmmaker who made a transition from HDV to DSLR shooting mode says, ''Let us not speak of age old gossips and sitcoms. Let the stories speak more of social issues that are real and grounded. Videos of students posted on YouTube often get more than 50,000 hits. The quality of production is astounding.''
At a recently-held seminar on women empowerment, Omani filmmaker Laila Habib al Hamdoon pointed out how culture has a positive as well as negative effect on filmmaking.
''Culture is very important to showcase the roots of a nation and it is one of the most inspired subjects for filmmakers. Yet at times, there are certain taboos which we can't speak about. Artistic impulses are desperate to speak them,'' she said.
She, however, added that the region is opening up and awards to Omani filmmakers are a proof that new-age scripts have a bright future in the country.
The lack of cinema industry is not a handicap as the interest and creative enthusiasm is encouraged with film festivals. OFS caters to needs of film enthusiasts. For the past 12 years, the society has been organising the biennial Muscat Film Festival which renowned filmmakers attend and award-winning films are screened.
Maitham al Musawi, a doctor by profession but also a well- known filmmaker whose short films have won accolades says, ''Every film I watched a film at the festivals, it was a lesson learnt. You see how films from different places speak one language. I try speak with every director. I watch their films and learn about their techniques
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