‘Stories of Our Determination’: How to enter Dubai’s Dh50,000 short film competition
Students and professionals can compete across five award categories
DUBAI – Aspiring filmmakers across the UAE can take part in a new national short film competition celebrating the country’s unity, solidarity and resilience.
Launched by the Dubai Films and Games Commission (DFGC) under the directives of Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Media Council, ‘Stories of Our Determination’ is open to both emerging and established talent.
Here is how filmmakers can participate, what they can submit and what prizes are available.
Who can enter
The competition is open to Emirati and UAE-based filmmakers of all nationalities. Students, first-time filmmakers, emerging talent and professionals can participate, creating an opportunity for newcomers to compete alongside established filmmakers.
Entries can be submitted as fiction, documentary, animation, experimental film, AI-generated or AI-assisted film, hybrid productions or films made using mobile phones.
Choose your theme
Participants should develop stories around one of four themes. ‘Those Who Protected Us’ pays tribute to the Armed Forces, emergency responders, frontline personnel and national institutions. ‘One Nation, Many Communities’ focuses on the unity of Emiratis and residents from diverse backgrounds.
‘Life Continued’ highlights how communities carried on through challenging circumstances, while ‘Stronger Toward the Future’ explores determination and ambition in shaping the UAE’s future.
The initiative will also mark the 55th Eid Al Etihad, with organisers selecting 55 films for the official selection.
Submit your film
Filmmakers must submit their entries by October 25, the final deadline. All submissions will go through eligibility and technical checks, followed by preliminary online selection and assessment by an independent jury before the final public selection.
The competition features five award categories: Grand Jury Prize, Best Fiction Film, Best Documentary Film, Best Animated Film and Best AI Film, with 10 awards in total.
Student winners will receive prizes worth Dh10,000, while professional winners will be eligible for prizes valued at Dh50,000.
The competition will culminate in a gala screening of selected films ahead of the official awards ceremony. Entries and registrations can be made through the Dubai Films and Games Commission’s official competition page.