Muscat AI Film Festival

The Muscat AI Film Festival (MAIFF) is an inaugural cultural event held in Muscat, Oman, designed to combine filmmaking, AI training, and competition. This pioneering initiative aims to create a platform for creativity and knowledge, linking Omani cultural identity with advanced artificial intelligence technologies to enable creators to produce and share stories with a global audience.

The festival's schedule begins with workshops and creative laboratories planned for October 2026. Following these, the top five films are slated for public screenings at VOX Cinemas during November 2026. The event culminates with a closing ceremony and awards presentation on January 19, 2027. A key aspect of MAIFF is its competition, which specifically requires participating filmmakers to create their entries using an AI platform.

Organizers have allocated a total prize fund of 20,000 Omani Riyals (RO). This includes RO10,000 for the Best AI Film, RO5,000 for Best Art Direction, and RO5,000 for Best Technological Innovation. Beyond the competition, MAIFF emphasizes skill development, with an ambitious goal to train over 1,000 Omanis in AI-assisted filmmaking. The festival also plans to involve between 40 and 60 Omani small and medium enterprises within a dedicated festival village, enhancing Muscat's presence in the global creative landscape. The Ministry of Information supports the festival as a strategic media partner.