Budding photographers and filmmakers have the opportunity to participate in a media competition titled Abu Dhabi Through Your Eyes and vie for a cash prize of Dh600,000.
Now in its fifth edition, 10 judges will be evaluating submissions in six photography categories, alongside this year’s newly introduced short film and student-only art and writing categories that are unpublished works about the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, which includes Abu Dhabi City, Al Ain region and Al Dhafra region.
Prizes are categorised through a main segment that collectively will see hopefuls vie for Dh300,000 in prize money; a student category will offer Dh15,000 each across six segments ranging from city and architecture to nature and wildlife; a special people’s choice award of Dh50,000 will also be handed out.
Under film, the subject Abu Dhabi: 24 hours in 24 seconds will see a winner walk away with Dh50,000, while a People of Abu Dhabi film will also command the same prize purse.
Judges this year include Jordanian script-writer and filmmaker Zaid Abu Hamdan, freelance journalist Lindsey Parry, Emirati painter, photographer, sculptor and founder of art gallery Marsam Mattar, Mattar Bin Lahej.
Also judging will be Leo Wong, an Academy Award-nominated producer, director and actor from Los Angeles; Emirati photographer Ahmad Yousif Al Mheiri; Emirati filmmaker Eman Talal Al Sayed; owner and founder of Art Hub Ahmad Al Yafei; photographer Yousef Al Habshi; lawyer and photographer Huda Bin Redha; and Abduallah Al Shami, managing partner at MAD Solutions film studio.
Talents from around the world, including UAE residents, will be able to compete. According to organisers behind the Our Abu Dhabi initiative, the aim of the competition is to get participants to explore the Emirate and showcase it from their own unique perspective — whether through photography, film, art or writing.
Submissions close at 6pm on May 13. Participants can submit their works online via the competition’s official website.
