Open call launched for ‘Oman-India Short Film Festival’

Muscat: The Indian Embassy that will be hosting the ‘Oman-India Short Film Festival’ has invited filmmakers to submit their short films for the festival that will take place from August 8 to 10, 2018.
The event that is being held for the first time in Oman is being organised by the Embassy of India in association with the Oman Film Society and Muscat-based Kalamandalam cultural centre.
The festival aims at strengthening bonds between the two nations and also at promoting local talent. Short films directed by either an Indian expat or an Omani, shot in English, Arabic, or any Indian language will be accepted. The duration of the films can vary between 5 and 15 minutes and the last date for submission is July 15, 2018.
In a statement, the Embassy of India in Oman said that the event was being held as part of the celebrations commemorating the 70th anniversary of India’s independence. This festival joins a long list of initiatives being organised to highlight the ‘New India’ development agenda, which aims to create a clean India, free of corruption, poverty, terrorism, communalism, and casteism by 2022.
Participants stand a chance to win a cash prize and certificate in 13 different categories which include ‘Best Short Film’, ‘Best Child Director’, ‘Best Screenplay’, ‘Best Male Actor’, ‘Best Female Actor’ and ‘Best Cinematographer’ among others.
Films will be judged by a five-member panel comprising Indian and Omani film experts. Two celebrity judges will also be flown in from India. Pre-screening of the entries will take place on August 8 and 9 at the Oman Film Society Theatre.
The award ceremony will be held on August 10 at the Embassy of India’s auditorium.
For details regarding the events terms and conditions, the Embassy of India has called on prospective participants to call 96057566, 99013344 or email [email protected].