The one-month extension gives regional digital creators, screenwriters, and production talent more time to enter across nine competitive categories.
SHARJAH, Sept. 30, 2026 :Sharjah Media City (Shams) has pushed back the registration deadline for the third edition of the Shams Award for Arabic Content to October 31, granting digital storytellers, writers, and media professionals across the Arab world an additional month to submit their entries.
The submission window was originally scheduled to close on October 1 after opening in July. Organizers said the extension comes in direct response to an influx of interest from independent creators, production houses, and digital specialists seeking to participate in this year’s expanded program.
The third cycle introduces three new competitive tracks: Best Series Screenwriter, Best Original Score for a Series or Film, and Best Creative Advertisement. These additions bring the total roster to nine categories, joining established fields including Best Short Film, Best AI-Generated Video, Best Content Creator, Best Podcast, and performance honors for Best Actor and Best Actress.
Shams officials highlighted that the broadened scope addresses shifting production models and the accelerating adoption of digital tools, including generative artificial intelligence. The award aims to unify diverse disciplines onto a single regional stage that prioritizes substantive storytelling over viral metrics.
According to Shams Director-General Rashid Abdullah Al Obed, the award operates under Sharjah’s broader strategy to support regional creative industries and ensure Arabic-language content remains competitive in global distribution markets.
Submissions undergo evaluation by an independent jury of regional media and entertainment professionals. Panels assess projects on conceptual originality, technical polish, cultural resonance, and narrative execution. Entries in digital and AI tracks are evaluated specifically on creative intentionality and ethical application rather than purely automated execution.
Media professionals and independent creators can submit eligible work through the official Shams portal before midnight on October 31.
