Ibda'a Awards attract huge international interest

The entries represent a wide range of national media markets from all around the globe.

"The sheer international diversity of the entries received by Ibda'a this year is a matter of great pride for us," said Abdulhamid Juma, CEO of Dubai Media City. The major countries represented by this year's entries include not just traditionally active contributors to Ibda'a like India, Egypt, Iran, UAE, Lebanon and South Africa but also Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. A number of entries were also received from countries as far afield as the US, UK, Puerto Rico, Palestine, Italy and Canada.

"Talent, creativity and innovation know no boundaries and Ibda'a, this year, has tried to reach out to a much wider global audience to realize its mission of identifying, recognizing and fostering exceptional media talent all over the world. The media is no longer a localized industry and whichever media market you are part of, you are connected globally in one way or the other. The huge international response to the Awards is a reflection of the cross-border nature of today's media industry," Juma said.

The Ibda'a Media Student Awards programme was launched by Dubai Media City in June 2001 under the patronage of His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defence Minister. Since then, each year, the Awards have attracted a multitude of entries from around the region and unearthed some exceptional student media talent.

After three enormously successful Ibda'a Awards, Dubai Media City has developed the programme in scope, size and stature to showcase student media talent from around the globe.

Indian students sent in 38% of this year's entries while students from Iran, UAE/GCC and Egypt contributed 28 per cent, 14 per cent and 12 per cent respectively. The graphic design category attracted the largest number of entries this year accounting for 30 per cent of the total, followed by Print Advertising and Analogue Photography.

The 10 Award categories this year include Journalism, Radio, Digital Photography, Analogue Photography, Film/TV feature, TV Documentary, Graphic Design, TV Advertising, Print Advertising and Animation.

The first round of evaluation will lead to a shortlist comprised of a minimum of three and a maximum of five finalists from each category. The finalists will be flown to Dubai for an exhibition of their work to be held from November 28-30.

A final round of judging, also to be held in December, will select one winner from each category. The winners will be announced and honoured at a high profile and glamorous Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony on November 30, 2004. Apart from elegant trophies, the winners will receive prizes that include internships with leading global media brands.

Ibda'a 2004 is sponsored by Motivate Publishing, ARN, Virgin, Showtime, BBC, Seven Stars, Network Productions, Khaleej Times and Dubai Press Club. The event is also supported by the UAE Chapter of the International Advertising Association (IAA).