Dubai Culture Inaugurates the Tenth Edition of Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre

Festival celebrates a decade of on-stage excellence and generations of talent

Dubai, UAE, October 23, 2016:  Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the Emirate's dedicated entity for culture, arts and heritage, has officially inaugurated the tenth edition of the Dubai Festival for Youth theatre. The festivities will span ten days from the 22nd until the 31st of October and will be attended by performing arts specialists, artists and drama enthusiasts from the Emirates as well as from the region.
The festival aims to shed light on locally-based talent, providing an ideal platform for ambitious directors, writers, young actors, stage technicians, designers of clothing and accessories, technicians, lighting specialists, and make-up artists.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by His Excellency Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr, His Excellency Saeed Al Nabouda, Acting Director General of the Dubai Culture, Sultan Saqr, Chairman of the Cultural and Scientific Association and Dr. Salah Al Qassim and Dhaen Shaheen, Advisors of Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, in addition to the presence of senior officials, cultural institutions representatives and renowned figures from the cultural and arts scene.

His Excellency, Acting Director General of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority Saeed Al Nabouda, said: “This year, the festival celebrates His Excellency and literary figure Mohammed Ahmad Al-Murr as the tenth edition’s ‘Personality of the Year’ figure. His Excellency Al-Murr is considered as one of the leading artists in creativity and culture in the United Arab Emirates as well as in the region. H.E. has contributed to enriching the creative, intellectual and cultural scene with various roles in governmental, academic, journalistic and cultural positions throughout his distinguished career. We are delighted that the Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre continues its pioneering role in nurturing and honing youth’s theatrical talent even after a decade after its launch.” 

Fatima Al Jallaf, Head of Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre, Senior Specialist Cultural & Arts Support of Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, said: “Over the years, the festival has succeeded in embedding the important role of youth theatre by establishing a fan base that promotes the festival’s activities and highlights theatre groups in the United Arab Emirates. The festival is an idea platform to introduce talent as well as showcase the potential of actors, directors, writers, set designers, producers, make-up artists, audio-visual engineers and costume designers. The tenth edition’s events include numerous distinct activities, including an open youth forum, short plays in various international languages, and an exhibition that will shed light on the festival’s decade-long.” 

In its tenth edition, the festival will award the most brilliant participants through a variety of prizes including: Best Play, Best Director, Best Scenario, Best First and Second Supporting Actor, Best First and Second Supporting Actress, Best Decoration, Best Light Effects, Best Sound and Effects, Best Dressing Award, Best Make up Award, The Judging Committee Award and the new ‘Personality of the Year’ honour —  awarded to an outstanding individual from the event that sets a positive example for others.

Ten groups will be participating in the events of this year’s festival, which are: Sharjah National Theatre, Fujairah Theatre, Al Ahli Dubai Theatre, Dibba Theatre for Culture, Arts and Drama, Dubai Folklore Theatre, Abu Dhabi Theatre, Al Ain Theatre Group, Ras Al Khaimah Theatre Group, Zayed Sons Theatre, Modern Theatre (Sharjah), Dibba AL Hosn Theatre for Culture and Arts.

For the first time ever, ten shows will be performed as part of the festival’s tenth edition including: Ascending Rain ‘Matar Tasaodi’, A Heart with Vision ‘Qalb Yara’, The Highest of Love ‘Fe Aaly Al Hob’, The Lost Night ‘Al Leel Nesa Nafsa’, The Wind of Junk ‘Reyah Al Khorda’, Thirst ‘Al Thamaa’, Lear the King of sculptors ‘Ler Malek Al Nahaten’, A Sun Manifestations ‘Tajelyat Al Shams’, Push the Button ‘Shaghel Al Zir’ and You were supposed to be there ‘Kan Men Al Mafrood An Takoon Honak’.