MUSCAT : The IndOman International Film Festival (IIFF) 2026 formally set the stage for its upcoming edition with a curtain raiser ceremony held in Muscat, signalling the start of a major cultural and cinematic initiative linking India, Oman and the wider region .
Organised by Seventh Art Creations under the leadership of festival director Sudha Sha, the festival is being held under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth in partnership with the Embassy of India in the Sultanate of Oman. IIFF 2026 is positioned as a platform for creative collaboration, cultural exchange and industry partnership, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Oman.
The curtain raiser was inaugurated by G. V. Sreenivas, Ambassador of India to Oman. The theme of the Arab Film Industry International Convention was jointly launched by Ambassador Sreenivas and the guest of honour, Agis Loizou, Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus and Chair of the EU Group.
The event also marked the launch of the festival’s collaborative film programme, Learn & Shoot With Masters Anthology Initiative, inaugurated by master directors Meera Al Macki and Nilanjana Sha, alongside Gernot Weidner, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Austria. Cultural leaders, filmmakers, producers and representatives of the creative industries attended the ceremony.
The festival itself will be held in Muscat from February 2 to 8, 2026, featuring curated screenings, industry forums, training programmes and co-production platforms, with a focus on film production, distribution, destination branding and cultural tourism.
As part of the Panorama Screening Programme, films including Vikram Vedha (Arabic), Hellaro (Gujarati), English Vinglish (Hindi), Vikram (Tamil), Saudi Vellakka (Malayalam), Surkhi Bindi (Punjabi) and Sudani from Nigeria (Arabic) will be screened, each accompanied by guest appearances and audience interactions. A Creative Screening Programme will showcase selected titles such as Ariyippu, Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum, RRR, Kantara and Bou Butta Bhuta.
The festival will confer its Grand Honor Award on Aamir Khan for his contribution to cinema and social storytelling, and on Payal Kapadia, winner of the Grand Prix at Cannes 2024. Special highlights include R. Madhavan launching the Arab-dubbed film segment, while Sanjay Dutt will serve as chief guest for the Arab Film Industry International Convention.
Under the Learn & Shoot With Masters initiative, leading Indian technicians will train more than 500 emerging talents, with selected anthology projects moving into development under the guidance of senior filmmakers and artists.
An Oman Short Film Competition will also be held across categories for Omani nationals, Indian residents in Oman and students, with the organisers describing the festival as a long-term effort to strengthen creative bridges between India, Oman and the Arab world.
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