Omani Photographer Wins Best Film
Award in “Urban-Rural Connectivity” Category in Spain

Madrid, 11 Aug 2026 (ONA) –
The film “Sufrat Ramadan fi Sur” (Ramadan Table in Sur) by
Omani cinematographer Haitham Al Farsi has won the Best Film award in the
“Urban-Rural Connectivity” category at the 2026 Food Film List
competition, organized by the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture,
Arts and Tourism (IGCAT), headquartered in Barcelona, Spain.

The accolade was achieved in an
international competition featuring over 100 films from around the world vying
across 14 categories. The winning film offers a visual and cultural journey
into the Ramadan dining experience in the wilayat of Sur, showcasing the
customs and traditions associated with the holy month of Ramadan, as well as
the distinctive dishes and social practices that characterize the Sur
table—reflecting the depth of the wilayat’s cultural heritage and its
historical uniqueness.

The film also highlights the
close connection between Sur’s culinary heritage and its rich maritime history,
shaped over centuries by seafaring and commercial activity, as well as cultural
exchange with numerous ports and communities. These influences are evident in
aspects of the local cuisine, including its ingredients, flavours, and methods
of preparation and presentation, rendering the Sur table a living testament to
the region’s history and its social and cultural memory.

This achievement holds particular
significance amid the growing global interest in culinary tourism, gastronomic
arts, and experiential travel, where local cuisine has become a vital means of
discovering destinations and engaging with their cultures and communities. The
tourism experience is no longer confined to visiting landmarks and sites, but
rather encompasses the authentic experiences that visitors live—experiences
that reflect a place’s identity and offer a deeper understanding of its
culture, stories, and ways of life.

— Ends/AH