Dubai: Emaar offers Dh100,000 for Burj Khalifa design challenge
UAE creatives invited to submit a three-minute animated design by May 26
Dubai-based real estate giant Emaar has unveiled a unique design competition, inviting UAE residents to submit projection art for the Burj Khalifa – with a lucrative Dh100,000 reward for the winning entry.
Open to local artists, designers, and creatives, the competition runs from 6th to 26th May 2025, giving participants the chance to have their work illuminated across the world’s tallest tower.
The open call seeks original video or animation content reflecting Dubai’s innovation, creativity, and cultural vibrancy. The selected design will be projected across the towering façade of the Burj Khalifa, offering unparalleled visibility on a global stage. In addition to the cash prize, the winning designer will enjoy international exposure through this once-in-a-lifetime creative platform.
Design requirements
Entries must consist of a three-minute video or animation, tailored for projection mapping on the tower’s complex architecture. Emaar has specified technical requirements to ensure smooth integration with Burj Khalifa’s advanced display systems. These include format, resolution, and mapping compatibility, all of which are available in detail on the official Burj Khalifa website.
Each submission should be emailed to opencall@emaar.ae, accompanied by a short concept description outlining the story, inspiration, or cultural message behind the design. Only UAE residents are eligible to participate, and the content must be original and adhere to the outlined guidelines.
Emaar’s broader vision
Mohamed Alabbar, Founder of Emaar, expressed the vision behind the initiative: “At Emaar, we believe that talent knows no boundaries. Burj Khalifa stands not only as a symbol of human achievement but also as a canvas for creativity and innovation – open to everyone with a talent to share.” He added that this competition reaffirms Emaar’s dedication to nurturing artistic expression while giving voice to the city’s rich and diverse identity.
The announcement follows another high-profile creative challenge issued earlier this year by Mohamed Alabbar at the 1 Billion Followers Summit in Dubai. Addressing an audience of 15,000 content creators, he issued two bold challenges – to market Downtown Dubai globally and tackle affordable housing solutions – with promises of full funding for groundbreaking ideas. Alabbar even publicly shared his personal email address, mohamedalabbar@emaar.ae, inviting direct submissions and urging creators to deliver authenticity over gimmicks.
During the summit, Alabbar shared a personal anecdote about a Dh70,000 video project involving his grandchildren that generated billions in real estate sales. His message was clear: impactful content doesn’t need huge budgets – it needs heart, clarity, and originality.
The Burj Khalifa competition now serves as an extension of this philosophy – merging accessibility, opportunity, and vision into a single creative call-to-action.