Submission Guidelines

To ensure transparency and equal opportunities, Elara Awards sets the following conditions for all participants:

1. Eligibility

- Open to youth from Arab countries and Arab communities in the USA, Canada, and Europe.
- Age: 20–35 years as of 31 December 2026.
- Entries may be individual or group, with all key contributors credited.

2. Work Requirements

The submission must be original and created by the participant.
Must fall under one of the official categories:
- One-Minute Video
- Photography
- Short Advertisement
- Short Documentary
- Digital Platform
- Television Presentation (special category for Persons of Determination)
Must reflect a social value and create a positive impact.
Must meet broadcast quality standards (clear audio & visuals).
Use of copyrighted material without permission is prohibited.

3. Unacceptable Content

Entries containing the following will be disqualified:

Hate speech or incitement to violence.
Inappropriate or offensive content.
Promotional or branded advertising material.

4. Submission Process

All entries must be submitted via the official online form.
Required fields: Full Name – Country – Email – Category – Work Description.
Submissions via other channels will not be considered.

5. Key Dates

25 October 2025 – Submission Opens
10 March 2026 – Submission Closes
15 March 2026 – Judging Period
25 March 2026 – Shortlisted Candidates Announcement
4 April 2026 – Abu Dhabi – Official Ceremony

6. Usage Rights

By submitting, participants agree to:

Grant the awards management a non-exclusive right to use the work in promotional activities.
Allow display of winning entries through media or digital platforms.

7. Participant Declaration

The work is original and produced by the participant.
The participant meets the age requirements.
The participant is responsible for all materials used (images, music, clips).

Award Categories

Elara Awards are presented annually in 6 categories, celebrating creativity, social impact, and youth innovation.

One-Minute Video

Show us a human story that matters—use one minute to spark change, add value, and inspire others. The concept is wide open: express your vision and values through bold, distilled visuals.

Photography

Let one photograph do the talking.
Use your lens to express a human or social purpose—an image that serves the community and sparks thought, dialogue, or action.

Purpose-Driven Commercials

An open space to present a short commercial—video or audio—that addresses a meaningful social issue. Evaluation centers on message strength, real impact, and attention capture, highlighting innovative, persuasive execution that showcases the creator’s craft.

Short Documentary

Submit a short film addressing a human, social, or national theme, elevating facets of civilizational heritage. Submissions must draw on reliable references and archival material to reinforce credibility and inspire audiences.

Digital Platform

Present your platform: what you publish, the shows you run, and a quick reel of past highlights. Use your entry to surface the key messages that truly resonated—through educational, awareness-driven, or human-centered content that inspires and reinforces positive values. Back it up with audience feedback or testimonials to demonstrate impact.

Determined Voices

Dedicated to creators from the People of Determination community. Entrants are free to choose how they express their talent—through a video, photograph, short documentary about a lived issue, marketing content, or even a sports achievement. This category celebrates willpower without limits, showcasing how People of Determination inspire and positively impact society in diverse, innovative ways.

Elara Alumni Videos