Middle East Film & Comic Con introduces a thrilling short film contest, celebrating creativity, strength, and storytelling
Calling all filmmakers! The Middle East Film & Comic Con (MEFCC), the region’s biggest pop culture festival, has announced its first-ever short film competition, offering a platform for UAE’s brightest creative talents.
With a grand prize of up to AED 10,000, this is your chance to showcase your storytelling skills at one of the most exciting entertainment events of the year.
Set to the theme of “Strength”, the competition invites both aspiring and established filmmakers to submit their short films, which should be six to eight minutes long and in English or Arabic with English subtitles.
The competition is exclusive to UAE residents, providing an opportunity to celebrate the country’s diverse and compelling narratives.
Here’s the key dates you should know
- Submission Deadline: 21 February
- Shortlist Announcement: 27 March
- Winners Announced: 18 April, during MEFCC 2025 at ADNEC Abu Dhabi
Shortlisted films will be screened on the MEFCC Main Stage, giving creators the spotlight they deserve in front of thousands of pop culture fans.
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Meet the judges:
A panel of industry experts will be selecting the winning films, including:
- Razan Takash – Award-winning filmmaker, writer, and producer with over 14 years of experience, including work on Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
- Faisal Hashmi – Renowned for his horror and thriller short films, Hashmi’s work has amassed over 1.5 million YouTube views and multiple festival awards.
- Waleed Hmidan – An award-winning filmmaker and journalist, as well as the owner of a popular comic bookstore.
How to enter:
Submissions can be made via FilmFreeway, with full submission details available on the MEFCC website.
The competition encourages creative interpretations of the theme, but all entries must adhere to UAE laws and cultural guidelines.
Whether you’re an up-and-coming filmmaker or an established creator, this is your moment to shine. Do you have what it takes to bring strength to the screen?
For more details, visit mefcc.com and follow @mefcc to stay updated.
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