Under the patronage and presence of His Royal Highness Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Royal Film Commission, and under the theme “Healthy Communication”, Mentor Arabia, in partnership with the Jordanian Royal Film Commission, held the awards ceremony of the sixth edition of the “Youth Empowerment Film & Song Competition” on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at the Amman Academy Theatre in Jordan. The event was attended by more than 500 cultural, artistic, social, media, and youth figures, as well as representatives of relevant institutions and organizations.
During the ceremony, His Royal Highness Prince Ali bin Al Hussein was honored in recognition of his pioneering achievements in youth empowerment, his belief in young people’s potential, and his support through the cultural, artistic, and sports initiatives and programs he leads, making him an inspiring role model. Awards were also presented to 15 talented young men and women aged between 18 and 30 from across the Arab world, in recognition of their winning submissions in the following categories: Narrative Short Films, Documentary Short Films, PSA Films, Animated Films, Songs, and Podcasts. A special award was also presented for the Best Jordanian Submission, in addition to the Outstanding Music Award within the Artistic Creativity category, which was granted to the Amman Chamber Orchestra.
On the sidelines of the ceremony, Zain Jordan, through its innovative arm, Zain Innovation Campus (ZINC), hosted a panel discussion featuring members of the competition’s jury, moderated by media personality Razan Salameh, and attended by officials, artists, media professionals, youth, and practitioners in the field. The discussion revolved around the theme of the sixth edition of the competition, highlighting the importance of “Healthy Communication” in raising awareness among young people, encouraging them to adopt healthy lifestyles, inspiring excellence in their professional journeys, and providing them with mentorship and guidance opportunities.
The idea of the competition was first conceived in 2017 and has since evolved into a regional initiative and leading platform aimed at supporting and encouraging young Arab artistic talents to create and develop impactful short films and awareness songs. It also provides a safe space for young people to express their concerns, aspirations, and opinions on pressing social and humanitarian issues. The competition has been implemented in collaboration with more than 80 strategic partners, including the Royal Film Commission, Zain Jordan, Anghami, the Royal Health Awareness Society (RHAS), MBC Hope, IEFTA, as well as a number of local and regional institutions, governmental and non-governmental organizations, media outlets, universities, academies, and private sector companies.
The initiative has witnessed remarkable success, attracting more than 6,500 young participants and recognizing 60 winners throughout its six editions. Beyond honoring winners, the competition also provides specialized training programs delivered by artists and industry professionals, which have so far benefited more than 300 young men and women.
The closing ceremony of the first edition of the competition was held in Amman in 2017 under the patronage of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II of Jordan. The second edition concluded in Kuwait under the patronage of the Minister of Information and Youth. The third edition was held in Amman in 2022 in the presence of Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden, the fourth edition in Amman in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, and the fifth edition in Doha in the presence of Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden.
The competition’s jury include a distinguished group of creatives, artists, and specialists: Abu, Elham Ali, Elham Wagdy, Ahmad Al Khatib, Amin Dora, Joumana Jamal, Jessica Azar, Hamad Al-Sarraf, Darin Sallam, Rami Koussa, Rayan Al-Saqqaf, Zaven Kouyoumdjian, Sam Lahoud, Sarah Dabbous, Samer Ismail, Stephanie Atala, Souad Massi, Said El Marouk, Said Serhan, Saba Mubarak, Safwan Moudir, Sophie Boutros, Abdul Mohsen Al-Nimr, Abeer Nehme, Aziz Maraka, Issam Youssef, Omar Al-Maeena, Qays Sheikh Najib, Carla Aad, Carlos Azar, Carmen Bsaibes, Kamil Abou Khalil, Karees Bashar, Karim El Shenawy, Lamia Guiga, Lianne Llewellyn, Marilyn Naaman, Mohammad Al-Bassioni, Mohammad Qais, Mohammad Mashish, Mohammad Mohsen Jaber, Mayada Hiraki, Michel Fadel, Milad Abi Raad, Nadia Al-Zoubi, Nassif Zeytoun, Nizar Francis, Nesreen Zawahra, and Nelly Karim.
Finally, Mentor Arabia extends its sincere gratitude and appreciation to every organization, institution, and individual who supported the initiative and contributed to the success of the ceremony, especially Wuduh, The W and St. Regis Hotels Amman, Zain Jordan, Roya Media Group, Royal Jordanian, Amman Academy, IMasih Jewelry, Rabadi Events, Anghami, Zain, the Royal Film Commission, and the Royal Health Awareness Society (RHAS).
Mentor Arabia is a regional non-governmental and non-profit organization dedicated to empowering children and youth and protecting them from risky behaviors to help them lead healthy lives and make informed decisions. Established in 2006, Mentor Arabia is chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Turki bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. It is part of Mentor International, founded in 1994 under the presidency of Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden, with branches in Sweden, Latvia, Germany, the United States of America, and Jordan.
The Royal Film Commission – Jordan (RFC) is a public institution with administrative and financial independence. Established in 2003, it is mandated to promote and contribute to the development of a competitive Jordanian audiovisual industry capable of competing internationally. The RFC organizes training workshops and film screenings and provides production support services.