Inspired by the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Ibda’a Award aims to drive a transformative shift in the Arab media sector by infusing it with fresh talent and new competencies. Designed to keep pace with the rapid evolution of the media landscape, this award encourages Arab media students to excel and prepares the next generation of media professionals to achieve the highest standards of excellence. The award begins at the academic stage, fostering youth participation in the sector’s development.
• Open to Arab media students
• Submissions must be made exclusively through universities
• All entries must be original
• Submissions can be made individually or by teams
• Submissions must not contain advertisements or promotions of any products or companies
• The student must ensure full ownership of all image rights
• The organizing committee holds the right to use submissions in publications and events
The Arab Youth Media Award (Ibda’a)
This category celebrates the creativity of both individuals and groups in photography, specifically for media students across the Arab world.
Criteria:
• Participants may use either professional cameras or smartphones.
• A maximum of three photos can be submitted.
• Entries can be submitted in color or in black and white.
Criteria:
• Participants may use either professional cameras or smartphones.
• A maximum of three photos can be submitted.
• Entries can be submitted in color or in black and white.
This category honors the best podcast episode, with the aim of supporting and advancing the podcast industry in the Arab world by nurturing young talent and promoting growth within this media sector.
Criteria:
• Relevance of the selected topic.
• Clarity of sound quality and the central message.
• Effectiveness of presentation skills, episode management, and overall delivery.
• Inclusion of a guest whose expertise is pertinent to the discussed topic.
Criteria:
• Relevance of the selected topic.
• Clarity of sound quality and the central message.
• Effectiveness of presentation skills, episode management, and overall delivery.
• Inclusion of a guest whose expertise is pertinent to the discussed topic.
This category recognizes the best written journalistic work, with the goal of discovering and nurturing media talent among university students in the Arab world. It aims to inspire them to pursue careers in journalism and provide fresh, innovative, and creative perspectives.
Criteria:
• Relevance and significance of the topic.
• Clarity in presentation and simplicity of the concept.
• Quality of content and linguistic accuracy.
Criteria:
• Relevance and significance of the topic.
• Clarity in presentation and simplicity of the concept.
• Quality of content and linguistic accuracy.
This category aims to identify the best electronic game project or concept that demonstrates creativity and innovation while enhancing students’ skills for future sectors.
Criteria:
• The game’s effectiveness in developing the player’s skills in any professional fields.
• The appeal, originality, and depth of the game’s storyline.
Criteria:
• The game’s effectiveness in developing the player’s skills in any professional fields.
• The appeal, originality, and depth of the game’s storyline.
This category recognizes outstanding creative projects by media students in multimedia arts, including animation, infographics, motion graphics, digital effects, and more. Students must own the rights to their work and provide proof of ownership.
Criteria:
• Relevance of the topic, originality, and clarity of the concept.
• Precision and quality of details.
• Storytelling, direction, sequence of events, and overall engagement.
Criteria:
• Relevance of the topic, originality, and clarity of the concept.
• Precision and quality of details.
• Storytelling, direction, sequence of events, and overall engagement.
This category recognizes creative film projects that stand out in their presentation, including the idea, preparation, and execution. The work should convey a message inspired by youth perspectives and have a societal or cultural impact. Submissions are welcome from individuals or groups.
Criteria:
• Originality and creativity of the concept.
• The film’s duration should be between one to two minutes.
• Must include sound and visual effects.
• Innovation through the use of modern techniques in production.
Criteria:
• Originality and creativity of the concept.
• The film’s duration should be between one to two minutes.
• Must include sound and visual effects.
• Innovation through the use of modern techniques in production.
