CDA calls for short film award entries
dubai — If you’re an advocate for human rights with a flair for video making, then here is your chance to spread your message to the masses.
On Monday, the Community Development Authority (CDA) put a call out to the UAE youth to tap into their creative side to help increase awareness of human rights values here.
During the launch of the third ‘Mansoor Bin Mohammed Short Film Award’, Maitha Al Shamsi, Executive Director of CDA’s Human Rights Sector, told Khaleej Times for those keen to shoot a film, something with a “personal connect” could be the winning combination.
“I think when it comes from the heart, that is reflected in the video and it is that which connects best with the audience. Last year the winner of one of the categories was a film about the director and his brother, so it was a very personal story.”
Aimed at 18- to 30-year-olds, this is the first time the award is being opened up to participants outside the university setting. The application process is now open for submissions and will close on January 15, 2018.
Last year, the CDA received 32 film entries (up to 10 minutes long), but this year, they are expecting even more, Al Shamsi said.
The scope for participants has been widened this year as the Authority wants to “increase social and humanitarian issue activities” for the country’s younger generations.
This year’s edition of the award covers three main subjects: tolerance and moderation, equality and fighting discrimination, and volunteer work; all topics, which reflect the UAE values of positivity, tolerance and acceptance.
“The message in the videos should be expressed with passion;
Judgement process
Stage 1 > All videos will be judged based on technicality, message/context, creativity Stage 2 > The screened films will be presented to the jury headed by Emirati director Masood Amarullah > The first-place winner will receive Dh30,000 cash prize, while second gets Dh20,000 and third wins Dh15,000
How to submit your application
it has to have that heartfelt message. A strong, clear and simple message has been the success of previous video entries,” Al Shamsi said.
In the first stage, all videos will be judged on three aspects: technicality, the message/context, and creativity. While in the second stage, the films will be presented to the jury – headed by Emirati director Masood Amarullah, Director of the Dubai International Film Festival – and will be evaluated based on to two main criteria: the film’s message or the idea or issue it raises, and its technical aspects.
The first-place winner will receive a Dh30,000 cash prize, while second place gets Dh20,000 and third wins Dh15,000.
The winning videos will be used for CDA’s promotional campaigns, and will also be broadcast on CDA’s YouTube channels. The videos submitted will become the property of the CDA and they could be used for upcoming campaigns.
In its efforts to promote social responsibility in the UAE, the Union Coop will be sponsoring this year’s event. “Our support for the Mansoor Bin Mohammed Short Film Award stems from our commitment to stand by all social organisations that contribute to the development of the community and promote the values of tolerance, generosity and coexistence. We dedicated Dh200 million to support these sectors in 2016 and 2017,” Shoaib Al Hammadi, Union Coop’s Marketing Manager said
kelly@khaleejtimes.com