Dubai Studio City has partnered with Tecom’s in5, an enabling platform for entrepreneurs in tech, design and media to launch a video competition. The closing date for submissions is January 25, 2018.

Supported by UTURN, an Arabic entertainment network on YouTube, the contest will allow local content creators to promote their projects and attract a wider fan base. The videos can cover a wide range of categories, such as music, drama, comedy, vlogging, gaming, animation, news, beauty, fashion, sports and reviews, the release stated.

The creator of the best video will win a three-month membership at in5 including training, mentorship and opportunities to connect with investors and industry experts.

The winner will also receive production support from UTURN and an opportunity to be featured on its platform.

Commenting on the initiative, Majed Al Suwaidi, Managing Director of Dubai Studio City, said: “The MENA region boasts one of the largest video audiences worldwide. According to Arab Media Outlook 2016-2018, in the UAE alone, 50% of daily Facebook users watch at least one video a day. With the increased demand for online video content, there is plenty of room for creative ideas.”

Elaborating on the mission of the platform, Kaswara Al-Khatib, Chairman and CEO at UTURN, said: “Since its inception, UTURN has been on a mission to empower the next generation of social media content creators to join the ranks of Arab YouTube stars such as Omar Hussein, Bader Saleh and Shoaib Rashid.”

An expert judging panel will shortlist 20 entrants. The winner will be announced during a live screening event at the in5 media premises.