Latest news with #DubaiFilmsandGamesCommission
Al Etihad
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Etihad
Arab Media Forum panels highlight power of human stories, AI risks
28 May 2025 09:59 DUBAI (WAM) A session titled "City of Stories" was held on the second day of the Film and Gaming Forum, organised by the Dubai Films and Games Commission under the umbrella of the Dubai Media Council, as part of the Arab Media Summit session brought together Emirati filmmaker Ali Mostafa. It was moderated by Ahmad Abdullah, Director of Dubai TV Channel, for an engaging discussion attended by a wide audience of directors, content creators, and professionals from the film and digital gaming sectors.A teaser for City of Life Continuum, the sequel to Ali Mostafa's groundbreaking 2009 debut The City of Life, was screened yesterday at the Arab Media Summit. The original film marked a milestone in UAE cinema as the first local production to achieve box office success, coinciding with the country's early efforts to establish a domestic film and TV the session, Mostafa said Dubai remains full of untold stories, and that only Emirati directors can truly portray the city's soul and diversity. 'We know our traditions, and if a foreigner wants to do an Emirati film, we should be the ones doing it—of course, depending on the story,' he session discussed the City of Life Continuum, a sequel to The City of Life, which aimed to showcase Dubai's soul and director stressed the importance of practical experience over theoretical knowledge in cinema and hinted at potential future projects, including a series leveraging the strong brand name The City of hinted at doing part three of the movie. However, he said, 'Even if I don't do part three, I could make a series. I could make a series of 10 episodes, with each episode featuring 10 different nationalities and how they lead a life in Dubai.'Another session at the forum, titled "The Rise of Drama in the Digital Age", examined how Arab drama is adapting to the digital era. Moderated by Al Arabiya's Sarah Dandrawi, the panel featured Egyptian director Mohamed Sami; Tariq Al Ibrahim, Director of MBCI and MBC Drama, and Content Director at Shahid; and Ahmed Qandil, Director of Direct to Consumer Business at panellists agreed that while technology is reshaping how stories are produced and consumed, human stories rooted in social reality remain its most powerful and enduring Sami said that while platforms have changed how viewers watch content, the foundations of successful drama remain the same. 'The Arab world loves human stories—dramas that reflect family life and social realities,' he said. 'Whether streamed or broadcast, these are the stories that resonate most deeply with audiences.' He added that human stories tend to appeal across national and cultural lines, both regionally and emphasised that many of the most successful series on streaming platforms still follow traditional TV storytelling styles, particularly the format associated with Ramadan dramas: emotional arcs, familiar pacing, and accessible themes.'Content or shows that make a success on TV, which cater to a wider family audience, will be successful on digital platforms, but the opposite is not true. Content that is developed for a digital platform might not be successful on TV.'Al Ibrahim seconded that sentiment, noting that digital on-demand platforms offer greater creative freedom than traditional television, which typically caters to the family unit. He explained that platforms enable bolder storytelling and a wider range of topics, thanks to audience segmentation and greater viewer Ibrahim emphasised that strong writing remains the cornerstone of any successful production, regardless of platform or format. He noted that effective content creation is a holistic process that depends on alignment across all players involved—from writers and directors to data teams, producers, and platform panellists agreed that creative success relies on this collaborative synergy, with Mohamed Sami describing the production process as 'a chain of trust and collaboration,' united by the shared goal of delivering content that resonates creatively and on that, Qandil stressed the need for regional productions to match international standards in both quality and storytelling to maintain relevance and compete pointed to the increasing influence of data and audience insights in guiding production choices—from the type and tone of stories to their length and release schedules. 'Today, it's about reading the numbers—understanding what audiences are watching, how long they stay engaged, and what they want more of. That's what shapes our decisions.' The Secret Weapon The summit also saw a highly anticipated session titled 'AI: Secret Weapon or Your Worst Nightmare?' during the Arab Media Forum received rapt attention from the audience and spotlighted Dubai's and the UAE's renewed efforts to harness the vast potential of the path-breaking session, held under the auspices of the Dubai Media Council as part of the Arab Media Summit 2025, featured Dr. Marwan Alzarooni, Chief Executive Officer of Artificial Intelligence at Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism; and Hamad Al Shirawi, Director of Projects at Dubai Future at the outset of the session, Dr. Alzarooni put to rest any guesses on AI's influence across diverse spheres of life, emphatically stating, 'AI is here to stay.'The UAE is taking bold steps to leverage AI, and this marks just a start, he added. On the media scene too, a series of economic initiatives are putting in place a value chain for media content creators, he Alzarooni said it was never too late to join the AI wave and there were opportunities aplenty to upskill through online content and initiatives in the UAE. The onus was very much on individuals to put it to the best use in every aspect of life. Dubai continues to obtain proof of the value AI brings to various government entities, and sectors such as healthcare, property technology, logistics and sustainable manufacturing are among key focus areas, he also cautioned that the disparity between AI users and non-users would only grow wider with users standing to obtain significantly more granular content at are industries where the gap between AI users and non-users is already stark, he said, adding that we are heading in the direction of 'vibe coding,' which will see 'one-man startups' effectively carrying out tasks with markedly reduced overheads and turn, Al Shirawi emphasised Dubai's and the UAE's vision to 'embrace' AI. Constantly working alongside public entities to catalogue best use cases involving AI, Dubai is extremely keen to harness the immense possibilities of the technology, he provided the example of Dubai Police and their use of AI to achieve a 300 per cent improvement in solving cases involving lost and found possessions. A mundane task prone to human error had been made immensely easier and with superb outcomes by applying AI, he pointed Shirawi elaborated that the emphasis in Dubai and the UAE was always to take people along when ushering in change, as in the case of AI. He sought to allay concerns around AI, harking back to the scenario when the internet first came along, triggering massive apprehensions of job losses and economic instabilities, until people eventually said it was important to understand challenges and the productivity gains that could be achieved through AI, reaffirming that Dubai was the best place to be where innovation was cited the One Million Prompters initiative as an example of this readiness to be the first mover. The concept was to raise the baseline for AI adoption and empower AI experts based on best use cases from various sectors. In conclusion, Al Shirawi stressed that AI is no longer a secret weapon and has instead become a must-have arrow in everyone's quiver, and it is up to people to capitalise on it. His caveat: deciding not to use it might lead to a nightmare situation.
Broadcast Pro
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Arab Media Summit 2025 commences in Dubai
The summit is hosting guests and participants from 26 countries both in the region and globally. The Arab Media Summit (AMS) 2025 has commenced in Dubai under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Running until May 28, the event is bringing together nearly 8,000 media professionals, including ministers, prominent media figures, editors-in-chief, heads of media organisations, influencers, content creators, academics and technology experts from across the UAE and the wider Arab world. As the region's largest media thought leadership platform, the three-day summit serves as a hub for dialogue and collaboration, addressing both opportunities and challenges in the rapidly evolving global media landscape. With more than 300 speakers, 175 sessions, and over 35 workshops on the agenda, AMS 2025 offers an expansive platform for in-depth discussion and strategic insight. Her Excellency Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council, President of the Dubai Press Club, and Chairperson of the Organising Committee, welcomed attendees and speakers, underscoring the urgency of a future-focused media vision. She highlighted the foundational role of the Arab Media Forum over the past two decades and the importance of adapting to new realities shaped by artificial intelligence and immersive technologies. Al Marri emphasized the need for ambitious, youth-driven strategies that enhance the Arab media's contribution to regional and global development. In her address, Her Excellency also congratulated the winners of this year's Arab Media Award, Ibda'a – Arab Youth Media Award, and the Arab Social Media Influencers Award, celebrating outstanding contributions from across the Arab world. This year's summit is distinguished by the participation of high-profile Arab figures, including His Eminence the Grand Imam Prof. Dr Ahmed El-Tayeb, Sheikh of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, and His Excellency Nawaf Salam, Prime Minister of Lebanon. The event is also hosting numerous ministers, senior officials, and media leaders from 26 countries. Among the summit's key highlights is the launch of the Film and Gaming Forum, an initiative of the Dubai Films and Games Commission, alongside the unveiling of the 'Arab Media Outlook – Future Vision 2024–2028' report. This publication offers data-driven insights into regional media trends, technological adoption, and shifting audience behaviours. The summit's packed schedule features closed media sessions with prominent leaders, the signing of new cooperation agreements between Arab and international media institutions, and four media retreats aimed at developing strategic visions for television, print, digital media, and podcasting. Awards ceremonies for the Arab Media Award, Ibda'a – Arab Youth Media Award, and Arab Social Media Influencers Award will also take place during the summit, following thousands of submissions from across the region.
Hi Dubai
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hi Dubai
Arab Media Summit Gathers 8,000 Media Professionals in Dubai to Shape Future of Regional Media
Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Arab Media Summit (AMS) 2025 kicks off tomorrow in Dubai, gathering nearly 8,000 media professionals from across the Arab world. Running until 28 May, the region's largest media event will host ministers, editors-in-chief, content creators, influencers, and experts to discuss the future of media in a rapidly evolving landscape. Organised by the Dubai Media Council, AMS 2025 features over 300 speakers, 175 sessions, and 35 workshops, providing a platform for dialogue on technology integration, including artificial intelligence and immersive media. Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice Chairperson of the Dubai Media Council, highlighted the Summit's focus on ambitious, youth-driven strategies to advance Arab media's regional and global role. Key figures attending include the Grand Imam of Al Azhar, Professor Dr. Ahmed El-Tayeb, and Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. The Summit will also launch the Film and Gaming Forum by the Dubai Films and Games Commission, alongside the latest 'Arab Media Outlook – Future Vision 2024-2028' report offering data-driven insights into media trends and audience behaviors. AMS 2025 will facilitate the signing of cooperation agreements between Arab and international institutions and host four strategic media retreats focusing on television, print, digital media, and podcasting. It will also celebrate achievements through the Arab Media Award, Ibda'a – Arab Youth Media Award, and Arab Social Media Influencers Award ceremonies. Supported by prominent partners including DP World, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Emirates Airline, and others, the Summit underscores Dubai's position as a regional hub for media innovation and collaboration. News Source: Emirates News Agency
Hi Dubai
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hi Dubai
Dubai Launches Inaugural Film and Gaming Forum to Drive Regional Media Innovation
Dubai has announced the launch of its first-ever Film and Gaming Forum, a major initiative under the Arab Media Summit 2025, aimed at strengthening the city's position as a global media and content creation hub. Held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Forum will take place from 26 to 28 May. Organised by the Dubai Films and Games Commission under the Dubai Media Council, the platform brings together leading international and regional players to explore the future of cinema, gaming, and digital storytelling. Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice Chairperson of the Dubai Media Council, said the Forum marks a strategic expansion of the Arab Media Summit's agenda, spotlighting sectors that are reshaping the global media landscape. 'It's about creating space for dialogue on innovation, women-led content, AI in storytelling, and emerging business models,' she noted. The Forum will feature major names like Amazon, Netflix, Square Enix, and Olsberg SPI, alongside sessions on gaming careers, women in cinema, drama in the digital age, and the future of Emirati filmmaking. Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan and Arab talents including Ahmed El Sakka and Laila Abdallah are also set to appear. Nehal Badri, Secretary General of the Dubai Media Council, said the initiative aligns with Dubai's broader vision to accelerate creative growth and position the region as a leader in content production and tech-driven media formats. With curated panels, expert-led discussions, and strategic partnerships, the Film and Gaming Forum promises to be a key milestone in Dubai's mission to shape the future of media in the Arab world and beyond. News Source: Emirates News Agency
