By: Muscat Daily

Director Mohammed al Darushi’s Ta has won the award for best short film in the animation category at the International Festival of Marrakech for Mini Short Films.

Organised by Friends of Theatre and Cinema Association, the festival ran from October 30 to November 2, bringing together filmmakers from around the world. Speaking to Muscat Daily, Darushi expressed pride in Ta’s achievement, noting its distinction as the first Omani animation film to receive an international award.

The film competed against over 300 entries from 13 countries, making its success particularly meaningful. “The film was recognised for its quality, its impactful human story and the transformation of its idea into cinematic form,” he said. Darushi attributed the film’s success to its engaging message, and its visual and audio appeal enhanced by skilled editing.

The two-minute film took time to complete due to Darushi’s unfamiliarity with animation techniques. His earlier work focused on documentaries. “It is a unique project because I shot, hand-painted and later animated using After Effects,” he said, adding, “I wanted to create something different.”