Dubai Media City, a TECOM Investments arm, recently announced the Ibda’a Media Student Awards website, www.ibdaa-awards.ae, has gained a new look with attractive, user-friendly features focusing on the award’s concept of ‘Flammable Talent’.

Created by Dubai-based Xische, media partners for this year’s edition of the Ibda’a Awards, the revamped website aims to generate wider interest and facilitate international participation. This year’s Ibda’a Awards are open to students from across the world, including Malta. Students can log on to the Awards website to obtain information on entering the contest. The last day for submission of entries is 15 November.

Mohamed Al Mulla, Director of Dubai Media City and Coordinator General of the Awards, said: “The content-rich, interactive and user-friendly website will help students register to take part in the sixth edition of the event. It also contains valuable information on award categories, winning entries from previous years as well as specific information for the press.

“Apart from students, these details will be useful to industry professionals and casual visitors interested in learning about the region’s media sector and identifying high calibre talent. The website will be regularly updated with additional information and resources.”

Danish Farhan, Chief Executive, Xische: “Our interest in Ibda’a is twofold. We not only subscribe to the concept of rewarding creativity among exceptional students, but we also believe in setting new parameters for excellence. The all-new Ibda’a official website reflects this commitment.”

This year, Xische will award the winner in the Animation Category of the Ibda’a Awards.

To be presented on 27 December in Dubai, the Ibda’a Media Student Awards cover 10 main categories including journalism (non-news), radio, animation, graphic design, analogue photography, digital photography, print advertising, TV advertising, TV documentary and film/TV feature. Dubai-based Ziad Galadari Group is the title sponsor of the event this year, while Emirates Bank, Arabian Automobiles, OMD and Carassi are the co-sponsors. Media partners include Motivate Publishing, Zee TV, Showtime, Xische, 7 Star Events, Arabian Radio Network, Al Emarat Al Youm and Emirates Today dailies, CNBC Arabia and DMI.