Under the slogan "We Tell Stories and Tales," the second edition of the Al-Batina Film Festival in Oman began today, Sunday, featuring 42 films from around 16 countries. Saudi Arabia will be the "Guest of Honor" at the festival, organized by the Omani Film Association, which will continue until November 15.
At the opening ceremony held at Nakhal Fort, one of the famous historical sites in the Al-Batina region, Saudi actor Abdul Mohsen Al-Nemer was honored alongside several Omani artists, including actress Fakhriya Khamis, director Said Moussa, director Nasser Al-Raqeishi, actor Abdul Hakim Al-Salhi, and photographer Mohammed Al-Balushi.
In addition to film screenings, the festival is organizing a "Film Industry Forum" and a number of training workshops and dialogue sessions.
During the opening, the festival's founder and director, Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Ajmi, stated, "Despite the pain we all feel due to what our noble Palestine is witnessing from bloody scenes, we all must bear our responsibilities, each according to his expertise and the tools he masters, as silence and postponing all cultural engagement and meetings do not benefit the cause."
He added, "Cinematic arts play an important role in raising awareness and cultural communication between peoples, including support for the Palestinian cause, through purposeful cinema that can convey messages, truths, and realities in a neutral manner."
The festival showcased a short documentary film about the date industry titled "The Resources," directed by Mohammed Al-Ajmi, at the opening.
