MUSCAT: The third edition of Indian Schools Film Fest was concluded at a scintillating function organized by Indian School Al Maabela on Saturday, 26th February 2022 at the School auditorium.

Dr Khalid Al Zidjali, the President of Cinemana Arab film Festival and Vice President of General Arab Union of Artist enhanced the occasion with his presence as the chief guest and Mrs Shweta Menon, a renowned Indian Film Actress virtually graced the occasion as the Celebrity Guest. Dr Sivakumar Manickam, Chairman, Board of Directors, Indian Schools in Oman presided over the function. Mr Syed Salman, Vice Chairman and the Director in Charge of Indian School Al Maabela and Mr Sirajudeen Nhelat, Academic Chair of the Indian School Board graced the occasion with their august presence.

The ostentatious function commenced with the lighting of the lamp and a prayer song sung by the school choir. The gathering was earnestly welcomed by Mr Sujith Kumar, the President of School Management Committee, ISAM. The Glimpses of ISFF 2021 which encompassed the journey of ISFF 2021 from launch to the valedictory function was flashed through a presentation. ‘Oblivion’ directed by team Indian School Al Wadi Al Kabir won the top honour of the Best Movie award whereas ‘Addicted’ directed by team Indian School Muscat coveted the #OMG Award.

Indian School Al Maabela topped the list of individual awards by lifting the trophies for the Best Film Craft, the Best Print Craft, the Best Digital Design and the Green Globe Award. Indian School Salalah won two awards for the Best Music Film and the Best Entertainment Award. Indian School Sur also won two awards – Best Editing and Best Creative Technology.

Best Documentary Award was won by two schools: Madinat Al Sultan Qaboos Private School for the film ‘Our Beautiful Oman’ and Asaad Bin Zararah School for the film ‘Picturesque of Oman’. Indian School Sohar lifted the Best Lecture Award, and the Creative Effectiveness Award was won by Indian School Rustaq and Indian School Ibri.

While congratulating the organizing School and the participants of the Indian Schools Film Festival, Dr Sivakumar Manickam, Chairman, Board of Directors, Indian Schools in Oman said, “ISFF 2021 has been remarkably successful in harnessing the creative prowess of the young minds and you have opened the avenues of the Film Fest to faculties, parents and other schools in the Sultanate. Film industry belongs to those who have the grit and determination to persevere and because of this very reason, let me congratulate those students who have participated in some genre or the other offered by ISFF. Every participant is a winner in this respect.”

Dr Khalid Al Zidjali, the Chief Guest magnified the occasion with his distinctive speech that had multifarious notions to achieve greater heights. Mr Syed Salman, gave the felicitation address, appreciating the efforts of the organisers and the talents of the participants. Mr Sirajudeen Nhelat, the Academic Chair, spotlighted the significance of the art of Film-making, in his speech and it was followed by the appealing virtual message of Mrs Shwetha Menon, the Celebrity Guest of the evening.

The dignitaries presented the trophies to the Nominated Film Makers and released a CD that compiled Instructional Films and Animated Films from all the schools to mark the occasion. The cultural extravaganza that followed comprised a vibrant Medley of Genres, a special dance performance, a mesmerizing Special Musical Composition – Carnatic Thillana Fusion and a rollicking Flash Mob. The students of Indian School Al Maabela rocked the stage with their phenomenal talents.

The auditorium brought down the curtain with the vote of thanks of the Principal of Indian School Al Maabela Mr P. Prabakaran. He thanked the Board for conceptualizing the ISFF, the entire ISFF team for the smooth conduct of the event and the sponsors for their relentless support. The glorious ceremony came to a close with the rendering of the school anthem.