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; 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 they will also be broadcast on CDA's YouTube channels. All videos submitted will become the property of CDA and whether they are amoung the winning entries or not, they could be used for upcoming campaigns for the Authority.
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 any and 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.
Get involved. Submit your application:
Online via wetransfer.com to human.rights@cda.gov.ae.
Deposit physical applications at CDA's headquarters in Al Hudaiba Building
Note: Previous participants are eligible to re-apply with an entry this year, but only on the condition that new and original work is submitted. Repeat entries will not be accepted.
A quick look at the 2016 winners:
Category - People with Disabilities
First place: 'Connection'
The film spread awareness about autism. It showed people that those who are differently-abled are not different people. They want to integrate in society like everyone else (shot by Fawas Ismail, Mark Stanly and Varun Ashok)
Category - Addicts, and Recovering Addicts
First place: 'Once Upon A Time'
A story about three boys rescued from the brink of addiction. It depicted three teenagers snorting, sniffing and smoking illegal drugs, giving a harrowing insight into life as an addict (shot by Mohammed Ajmal Azeez, Mohammed Firoz and Mohammed Ansar)
Category - Mental Disorders and Infectious Diseases
First place: 'The Other Side'
Based on a young artist battling bipolar disorder (shot by Anood Abdullah Zaid and Khulood Al Rais).
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