Dubai Press Club Opens Submissions For Ninth Ibda’a Arab Youth Media Award To Recognise Young Talent

The Dubai Press Club has announced the opening of submissions for the ninth edition of the ‘Ibda’a – Arab Youth Media Award’. This initiative, under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and patronage of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, aims to identify and nurture young media talent across the Arab world.

The award, originally launched in 2001 as the Ibda’a Media Student Awards, has been revitalised to continue its mission. Mona Al Marri, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council, emphasised that this initiative seeks to inspire young media students towards excellence in their studies and careers. The goal is to cultivate a new generation of skilled professionals who can contribute significantly to Arab media development.

Jasim Al Shemsi from the Organising Committee highlighted that this year’s award includes six categories: Podcasting, E-Games, Multimedia, Photography, Short Video, and News Reports. The competition is open to media students throughout the Arab region. Submissions can be made individually or as group projects through universities or directly by students with an official letter from their academic institution.

Amna Khalil, also from the Organising Committee, noted that the award plays a crucial role in strengthening regional media and preparing it for future challenges. The return of this award after 16 years underscores Dubai Press Club's commitment to discovering and empowering young media talent. "Today’s media industry demands a continuous stream of fresh talent and ideas to enrich the Arab media landscape," she stated.

A jury consisting of experts will evaluate submissions based on established criteria ensuring fairness and integrity in selection. Each category offers a cash prize of $5,000. Entries must be original, free from promotional content, and submitted in either Arabic or English. Participants must affirm exclusive ownership of intellectual property rights for their work.

Supporting Future Media Leaders

The Organising Committee has reached out to universities across the Arab world to encourage student participation. Submissions are accepted through a dedicated link provided by DPC. Amna Khalil added that winners will be honoured during a special ceremony at the Arab Youth Media Forum.

The ‘Ibda’a – Arab Youth Media Award’ reaffirms Dubai’s dedication to fostering innovation and creativity within the media sector. By providing young talents with a platform to showcase their skills, this award aligns with Dubai’s vision of becoming a global leader in media and talent development.

With inputs from WAM