Dubai Media City launches 8th edition of Ibda'a Media Student Awards

Organized annually by DMC in partnership with the International Advertising Association (IAA) and presented by Ziad Galadari Group, the region's most prestigious awards for emerging media talent will honor outstanding talent in 12 categories.

Themed 'Let It Out', the competition will recognize best submissions in journalism (non-news), radio feature, animation, graphic design, analogue photography, digital photography, print advertising, TV advertising, film TV feature, film TV documentary and mobile film.

A new category - Digital Designs - has been included in this year's awards, to recognize outstanding work in digital interfaces for websites, mobiles, DVDs and other on-screen media. The Award will be based on how the design and information architecture work together to create a motivating and compelling experience for the user.

As part of TECOM's effort to spread the green concept, DMC has opened online submissions for the entries this year to digitally accept applications in selected categories.

Open to all undergraduate and fresh graduates of the 2009-2010 academic year, the Ibda'a Awards will accept entries from 16 August - 8 October, 2009. Shortlisted entries will be showcased at an exhibition from 15-20 November, while winners will be acknowledged during a gala awards ceremony on 19 November.

Mohammed Abdullah, Executive Director of Dubai Media City, said:

"The Ibda'a Student Media Awards represent our commitment to creating a platform for the young generation to display their creativity and ensure the opening of additional avenues for individual professional growth. The awards motivate talented youngsters to come forward with their creative best and launch into exciting career paths. In our committed endeavor to go green, we aim to raise awareness on the importance of being environment-friendly in every sphere of our operations."

The Ibda'a Awards 2009 will include new components such as road shows in local colleges and universities. Shortlisted finalists will also be part of the road shows and gain an opportunity to highlight their work in malls, schools, universities, colleges and public places for a bigger interactivity with media and mass public.

Over the years, the Ibda'a Media Student Awards has attracted a multitude of entries from the GCC region and around the globe. Its success is marked by the ever-increasing volume and diversity of entries, and an incrementally higher number of participating countries each year.

Launched by Dubai Media City in June 2001, the Ibda'a Media Student Awards has consistently received support from global media giants and leading media personalities.

This year's edition of Ibda'a Awards is co-sponsored by Arabian Automobiles, OMD and Dubai Media Incorporated (DMI). While du is the communication partner, ARN, Amrita TV, BBC World, Brash FZ LLC, CNBC Arabia, Emarat Al Youm, Motivate Publishing, Showtime, Xische, Zee TV and Zee Aflam will support the event as the media partners.

ARN, CNN, CNBC Arabia, Brash, Leo Burnett, Xische, MBC, Motivate Publishing, Nikon, Team Young & Rubicam and Zee Aflam will provide awards to the winners.

The previous edition of Ibda'a Awards received more than 2,200 entries from 25 countries including new entrants from Brazil, Poland, Sri Lanka and Sudan. The 42 finalists had their work displayed in a week-long exhibition that generated huge interest among the region's media professionals.