Viory Launches Inaugural Global South Video News Awards To Honour Impactful Journalism

Viory, a video news agency focusing on the Global South, has introduced the first Global South Video News Awards. Each of the four categories offers a prize of AED12,000. These awards aim to honour video journalists who are changing how stories from the Global South are perceived worldwide. Entries are free and open until 30th November 2025.

Journalists working on stories filmed in or related to the Global South can apply if their footage was published between 1st December 2024 and 1st December 2025. The awards seek to highlight perspectives from this region and celebrate journalists who bring attention to untold or overlooked narratives.

The award categories include the Vital Footage Award, which acknowledges footage crucial for telling important stories that enhance global understanding. Another category is Best Camerawork, which rewards exceptional technical skill combined with artistic elements like composition, lighting, and atmosphere.

Exclusive Lens is another category that celebrates unique footage capturing critical moments or perspectives in major stories. The Most Creative Shot category recognises bold production techniques that enhance immersion and impact.

A jury of esteemed editors and media professionals from the Global South will select twelve nominees—three per category—by 5th December 2025. These nominees will be invited to attend the awards ceremony at the BRIDGE Summit in Abu Dhabi on 9th December 2025, where winners will be announced.

Zulayho Siddikova, General Manager of Viory, stated, "The Global South Video News Awards celebrate journalism that matters. Work that doesn't just tell stories but makes audiences live them." This highlights the importance of storytelling that brings narratives from the Global South to life.

Collaborative Efforts and Support

Viory is partnering with several leading organisations for this inaugural event. Collaborators include the BRIDGE Summit, Emirates News Agency, TRENDS Research and Advisory, University of Sharjah, African Union of Broadcasting, AIBD, Union of OIC News Agencies, and O.I.C States Broadcasting Union. This collective support strengthens the awards' mission to advance storytelling from the Global South.

For more details or to submit entries, interested applicants can visit the Viory Awards website. This initiative underscores a shared commitment to elevating narratives from regions often underrepresented in global media.

With inputs from WAM