Final round of judging for Ibda'a Media Student Awards start

The panel is evaluating the 50 entries shortlisted earlier for the final round.

One winner will be selected in each of the 10 categories of the Awards - Animation, TV Documentary, Film Feature, Print Advertising, TV Advertising, Graphic Design, Analogue Photography, Digital Photography, Journalism, and Radio. The winners will receive awards provided by CNN, Kodak, Saatchi & Saatchi, Leo Burnett, ARN, Canon, Motivate Publishing, Lowe, Team Young & Rubicam, and Showtime.

In addition to elegant trophies, winners will receive prizes that include internships with leading global media brands and media equipment. The celebration of talent will have a generous sprinkling of glamour, with regional and international media celebrities expected to take part.

Representing the cream of media student talent in universities across the region and beyond, the short-listed entries were selected from 2,217 submissions received from around the world. Entries were received from as far afield as Puerto Rico, Palestine, Italy and Canada.

"With every successive year, the Awards have discovered a more diverse and richer selection of talent," said Mohammed Al Mulla, Director of Dubai Media City and Coordinator General of the Ibda'a Media Student Awards. "Similarly, the geographic and cultural representation of participants has expanded, reflecting the global profile of the Award."

The judging panel had high words of praise for the exceptional creativity, maturity and professionalism displayed by the works of the shortlisted candidates.

"The maturity and intelligence shown by the short-listed entries goes far beyond their years," said Al Mulla. "If properly nourished, the talent promises a wonderful future for the media industry of our region."

The shortlisted candidates from overseas will be flown to Dubai where they will join UAE-based finalists for a three-day exhibition of their work from 23 to 25 April 2006. The winners will be named at a gala awards ceremony on the night of 25 April. Apart from elegant trophies, winners will receive prizes that include internships with leading global media brands and media equipment. The celebration of talent will have a generous sprinkling of glamour, with regional and international media celebrities expected to take part.

The Ibda'a Media Student Awards were launched by Dubai Media City in June 2001 with a mission to discover, showcase and foster young media talent in the region. Over the last five years, it has received support from global media giants and leading media personalities.

Ibda'a has received tremendous sponsorship support from the corporate world this year. Sponsors include Emirates Bank, Showtime, Dubai Studio City, ARN, Radisson SAS Hotel (DMC), Dubai Press Club, Motivate Publishing, BBC, Virgin and Seven Stars.

The Awards Providers for Ibda'a 2005 are CNN, Canon, Team Y & R, Saatchi & Saatchi, Leo Burnett, ARN, Showtime, Motivate Publishing, Al Aqariya and Lammtara Pictures.