A Vision Reignited
Under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and with the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council, the Dubai Press Club has announced the launch of the 9th edition of the Arab Youth Media Award, "Ibdaa 2025."
The award returns with a fresh perspective after a 16-year hiatus, continuing its legacy that began in 2001. It aims to discover young media talents across the Arab world and provide media organizations with the opportunity to tap into this emerging pool of talent.
Reviving the Message of Media Excellence
Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice President and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council and Chairperson of the Dubai Press Club, stated that the award continues to fulfill its core objectives: supporting young media talents and preparing a new generation capable of shaping the future of Arab media.
She emphasized that the vision laid by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid focuses on empowering youth to harness their media talents and elevating the Arab media landscape to align with global advancements.
Al Marri added that, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed, the award will offer students a platform to showcase their creativity and open doors to prestigious career opportunities within leading media organizations.
Modernized Award Categories to Reflect Industry Trends
Jassem Al Shamsi, a member of the award’s organizing committee, highlighted that the revamped award is designed to align with the significant transformations in the media industry over the past two decades. The 2025 edition includes six key categories:
- Podcasting.
- Electronic Games.
- Multimedia.
- Photography.
- Short Videos.
- Journalistic Reports.
Al Shamsi noted that participation is open to media students from all Arab countries, either through their universities or individually, provided that the application includes an official letter from the university or college confirming compliance with the submission guidelines.
A Golden Opportunity to Build a New Media Base
Amina Khalil, another member of the organizing committee, emphasized that the Ibdaa Award contributes to establishing a renewed media foundation, enhancing Arab and regional media capabilities.
She added that the award provides a vital platform for young media talents to step into the spotlight, enriching the media landscape with innovative perspectives. Khalil also mentioned that the winners will be honored during a special ceremony held as part of the Arab Youth Media Forum.
Participation Guidelines and Selection Criteria
- Prize Value: Each category winner will receive $5,000.
- Languages: Submissions can be in Arabic or English.
- Originality: Entries must be original and not copied, adapted, or plagiarized.
- Submission Format: Applications can be individual or group-based, but promotional content is not permitted.
- Intellectual Property Rights: Participants must provide a written declaration that they solely own the intellectual property rights of their submission.
Evaluation and Judging Process:
Submissions will be evaluated by a jury of media experts, with strict guidelines to ensure fairness and transparency in the selection process.
How to Participate
The Dubai Press Club has already reached out to universities and academic institutions to encourage student participation. Those interested can submit their work through the following link:
https://dpc.org.ae/ar/ibdaa
The Ibdaa Award 2025 offers an exceptional opportunity for media students to showcase their talent and shine in the Arab media industry. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this prestigious platform!
