Judging Process

Elara Awards is committed to maintaining the highest standards of fairness and transparency in its judging process. Each year, the Awards Committee carefully selects independent jurors from diverse professional backgrounds across the Arab world and beyond.

Step-By-Step Guide to the Entry & Judging Process

1. Enter the Competition [October – February]
Participants submit their entries through the official online submission portal between 25 October, 2025 and March 10, 2026.
[Click here for a complete list of 6 Categories] – [Click here for FAQ page]

2. First Round of Judging [15 March 2026]
All submitted works are reviewed online by a panel of independent jurors, based on clear evaluation criteria:

Quality of idea
Visual and creative impact
Social message and relevance

3. Final Round of Judging [15 March 2026]
A jury of distinguished media professionals and academics convenes to evaluate the shortlisted works and select the winners in each category.

4. Nominees Announced
Nominees will be officially announced in 25 March 2026.

5. Winners Announced
Winners will be revealed at the Elara Awards Gala in 4 April 2026 – Abu Dhabi, UAE.

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