Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Media Council and Chairman of Sharjah Media Corporation, SMC, along with members of the award’s jury, on Sunday honoured the winners of ‘Abdee’ Award for best visual news reporting, at a special ceremony held at the University of Sharjah.
The aim of the award is to encourage creative media talent, develop media content, and enhance the methods of innovative visual reporting production.
Sheikh Sultan underlined that the cultural development experienced by the UAE is spearheaded by talented young people whose contributions and innovations pave the path of creativity and excellence. "Change starts only when we believe in our abilities to make a real difference, and we have all the potential and capabilities that qualify us to be the best," he said.
The award is the beginning of a true partnership with local media organisations, and opens up new horizons for developing excellence in Arab media, he added.
The winners of the nine categories hail from the University of Sharjah and the American University of Sharjah.
Maitha Ali Mohammed Al Kindi, along with her team Hessa Jarsh Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Khawla Yousef Beshoo, Khawla Humaid Al Qaidi and Mariam Attiyah Radwan won first place in the category of Most Integrated Artwork for her work ‘I Look Like Al Qasba’ and received a cash prize of AED 50,000.
In second place was Ahmed Rashid Al Falasi and his team Diana Farah, Katrina Qasabashi and Shahla Amin for his work ‘The Journey’. In third place was Abdul Rahman Ezz Al Deen Al Kilawi and his team Dima Qusaibani and Lujain Halawani for his work ‘Graffiti Artists in the UAE’.
The ‘Best Idea Award’ went to Ahmed Rashid Al Falasi for his work ‘The Journey,’ while the Best Performance Award was won by Hossam Ibrahim for his visual news report ‘Al Jazeera Al Hamra.’ The Best Introduction Award was clinched by Amina Abdullah for ‘Al Jazeera Al Hamra’ report.
Al Maha Saeed Khalifa Al Kitbi won the Best Videography Award for her report ‘Nostalgia,’ while the award for Best Direction was won by Khawla Yousef Beshoo for ‘I Look Like Al Qasba.’ The ‘Jury Award’ went to Aseel Ghalib Ali for her visual report ‘Al Routen Al Katel.’ Speaking on the occasion, Mohammed Hassan Khalaf, Director-General of SMC, said, "The SMC is keen to press ahead with its mission, inspired by the directives of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, who laid solid foundations for local media to go beyond its role, and become a strategic partner in the development of Sharjah and the UAE."
He added, "The ‘Abdee’ Award aligns with His Highness’s vision, which is to engage young talent in developing the local and Arab media landscape and enriching it with valuable, new and meaningful content."
The awarding ceremony was attended by directors and deans of Sharjah’s universities and colleges, members of the award’s jury, as well as local media representatives and students.

Source: WAM