The first and only one-of-its-kind initiative held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre focuses on promoting Emirati and Arab youth theatre talent.

The Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre, currently in its fifth edition, offers a definitive platform for talented Emirati and Arab artists to showcase their talent and sharpen their skills through critique sessions led by experts.

The Festival features several activities including a discussion on youth theatre and a ‘Hosted Play’ segment that showcases youth theatre talent from other countries in the Arab world aimed at bringing the best in contemporary Arab theatre to Dubai.

The Festival also annually honours an Emirati personality, whose pioneering work in theatre and accomplishments serve as inspiration for the youth talent.

The Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre also honours the participants with an array of awards for Best Play, Best Director, Best Script, Best male actor, Best female actress, Best female supporting role, Best male supporting role, Best role for a non-Emirati, Best use of Lighting, Best music and sound effects, Best Scenery, Best costumes, Best makeup, a Recognition award, and a Media award. The awards are decided by a panel of eminent theatre professionals and cultural leaders.

Having made significant strides over the past years, the fifth edition of the Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre has drawn record submissions from all the 16 theatre groups established in the UAE, and two international submissions.

With a 60 per cent increase in submissions from 2010, the Festival continues to contribute dramatically to the UAE’s theatre scene. This year, the Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre will be held from October 1 to 10, 2011

Dubai Festival for Youth Theater 2011 (PDF format - 1.4 MB)