Dubai: Dubai Culture and Arts Authority has announced the launch of the “Al Wulfa Stories” competition, an animated series aimed at empowering talented individuals to develop and produce an animated series inspired by Emirati culture, values, and traditions, transforming them into creative content that appeals to diverse audiences. This initiative comes as part of Dubai Culture’s support for the “Al Wulfa” season, an initiative that celebrates Emirati social and cultural events and strengthens family bonds.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, through this competition, the Authority seeks to produce an animated series consisting of 15 episodes, each approximately 20 minutes long, reflecting Emirati culture and its authentic values. Participants can draw inspiration from the themes of “Al Wulfa Season,” which evokes details of daily life, family relationships, and hospitality traditions, as well as the mid-Sha’ban night of “Haq Al Laila,” Ramadan, and the Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha holidays. Other themes include community gatherings and majlis (traditional meeting places), local heritage and folk tales, oral storytelling, traditional games, historical figures, and stories that blend technology and tradition, among other topics inspired by Emirati culture.
Dubai Culture invites independent artists and creators, writers, illustrators, directors, designers, filmmakers, animation studios, production companies, and local, regional, and international creative teams to submit creative ideas that embody the spirit of “Al Wulfa,” reflect the values ??of belonging and family and community cohesion, and highlight the richness of Emirati cultural heritage. The Authority will begin accepting applications from September 7th to November 15th, 2026. Submissions will be evaluated according to a set of criteria, including narrative quality, cultural originality and creativity, visual appeal, and character development.
Entries must include innovative ideas characterized by strong plots and character development, reflecting the richness and diversity of Emirati culture and capable of appealing to various segments of society. Each submission must also include a comprehensive profile outlining the work’s concept, creative vision, and main themes.
Shaima Rashid Al Suwaidi, Executive Director of the Arts, Design, and Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, noted that the “Al Wulfa Stories” competition embodies the objectives of the “Al Wulfa Season” in celebrating Emirati culture and reflects the Authority’s commitment to empowering local talent to draw inspiration from cultural heritage and transform it into authentic creative works that can reach diverse segments of society.