Dubai Media City Announces 34 Shortlisted Entries for Ibda'a Student Awards 2009

Six-Day Ibda’a Exhibition to Showcase Outstanding Creative Media Talent

Dubai Media City, a member of TECOM Investments, today announced the names of the 34 shortlisted entries that will vie for honours at the Ibda’a Student Awards 2009.

The shortlisted entries for the awards that will be presented by the Ziad Galadari Group will also be up for viewing from 15-20 November at the lobby of DMC Building No. 2. This year, a total of 2,400 entries including over 170 from the UAE were received with more than 500 submitted online.

Announcing details at a press conference, Mohammad Abdullah, Coordinator General of Ibda’a Student Awards, said: "The Ibda’a Student Awards represent our commitment to creating a platform for the young generation to display their creativity and ensure the opening of fresh avenues for individual professional growth. The awards successfully motivate talented youngsters to come forward with their creative best and launch into exciting career paths.

“Dubai Media City is grateful to the sponsors and judges of the Ibda’a Awards for supporting our initiative to discover, showcase and foster outstanding media student talent.”

Photo Caption: Dubai Media City, a member of TECOM Investments, today announced the names of the 34 shortlisted entries that will vie for honours at the Ibda’a Student Awards 2009. Mohammad Abdullah, Coordinator General of Ibda’a Student Awards, made the announcement in the presence of award sponsors.

An eminent panel of judges selected by the International Advertising Association – UAE Chapter shortlisted the best entries this year for the final round. The shortlisted entries for the 2009 awards are from Egypt, Singapore, Philippines, India, Pakistan, Iran, Lebanon and the UAE.

Ziad Abdulla Galadari, Chairman, Galadari and Associates and Ziad Galadari Group, said: “We feel honoured to be the title sponsors of the Ibda’a Student Awards for one more edition. We believe establishing this title sponsorship is further evidence of our commitment to media institutions and students who will lead the growth and success of this key knowledge sector in the region.
 
“The global coverage and convergence of international thought and excellence of the awards have multiplied with every year and we are confident this will continue to mature in the forthcoming editions as well.”

Photo Caption: The exhibition of the shortlisted entries for the Ibda’a Student Awards that opened today is up for viewing until 20 November at the lobby of DMC Building No. 2.
 
The shortlisted candidates from overseas will be flown to Dubai where they will join UAE-based finalists for the exhibition and gala awards ceremony on 19 November.

The competition aims to recognise best submissions in various categories including 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.

This year’s edition of Ibda’a Awards is co-sponsored by Arabian Automobiles, Dubai Media Incorporated (DMI), AMG, OMD, Dreamdays and Grand Midwest Hotel.  While Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company - ‘du’ is the communications partner,  Amrita TV, BBC World, Brash FZ LLC, CNBC Arabia, Motivate Publishing, Showtime, Think Tank, Xische, Wolf Productions, Zee TV and Zee Aflam will support the event as the media partners.

ARN, CNN, CNBC Arabia, Brash, Leo Burnett, International Media and Production Zone (IMPZ), Dubai International Academic City (DIAC), Xische, MBC, Motivate Publishing, Nikon, Team Y&R and Zee Aflam will provide awards to the winners.

Ibda’a Student Awards 2009 – List of Shortlisted Finalists