Dubai Media City, in collaboration with the Dubai TV and Film Commission, has announced the launch of the ON.DXB Festival, the regional forum for content development and new media in Dubai, in November, in the latest addition to international creative events that enhance the role of the emirate. The hubs of the media industry and content development in the region.

The most prominent event of its kind in the UAE and the region will cover four creative industries, namely: film, video, music, electronic games and related technology, attracting the start of its first session, on November 21, a crowd of experts, specialists and stars from the region and the world. Through a wide range of activities that will be covered by the intense three-day calendar of the festival, which will include discussions and workshops, in addition to «Hackathon», the festival will provide a unique umbrella that brings them all in a discussion aimed at exploring the potential of creative in the region, And monitor Ways to support and develop them, through the benefit of previous international experiences, towards the development of distinctive creative Arabic content.

The festival aims to shed light on the technological development and major transformations in the billions of industries, such as the production of films and short videos, music, interactive content and electronic games, in line with the vision that Dubai started implementing more than 20 years ago, and succeeded in becoming a first-class media center This achievement was culminated in the recent selection of Arab information ministers as the capital of the Arab media for 2020, which demonstrates the success of the experience and the excellence of the leading media initiatives and projects implemented by Dubai over the past years.

Achievements and opportunities

Dubai Media City has been the cornerstone of Dubai's strategic objectives in the areas of media and content development, and since its inception has attracted the largest institutions and the best talent, thanks to the advanced infrastructure and business environment that stimulates innovation and creativity.

The launch of the in5 Media Business Incubator has also created an environment conducive to many innovators and talents in the new media to establish and expand their businesses regionally and globally from Dubai.

The latest studies, conducted in collaboration with a group of partners, entitled "Look at the Arab Media", indicate that digital media represents the fastest growing sector in the region, at a rate of 17%, during the period between 2014 and 2018, due to high rates Internet penetration and the growth of social networking sites and smartphones in the MENA region.

The largest share of growth in the gaming sector was 29%, 23% for publishing, and 12% for online video, making it the top three engines of regional digital market growth.

ON.DXB offers an integrated platform for media decision-makers, professionals, leading international companies, local and regional investors and talents in these industries based on innovation and creativity, and provides opportunities for building partnerships, business development and the latest technological developments, which contributes to the growth of these interconnected industries, And to strengthen Dubai's position as a global headquarters for major companies and talent.

Strategic importance

Majid Al Suwaidi, Director General of Dubai Media City, said: “The launch of ON.DXB in conjunction with the selection of Dubai as the capital of Arab media for the year 2020, underlines Dubai's strategic importance in advancing the reality of these interconnected industries at the regional and global levels through its advanced infrastructure and media-stimulating business environment. Innovation and Entrepreneurship ».

“ON.DXB is an innovative model for attracting and developing media talent and creative abilities in the region. The event illustrates the role and vision of Dubai Media City in creating a conducive environment for communication and partnerships between the various new media and content industries, including major international companies. He pointed out that “the growth opportunities of such industries as electronic games, music and video, and its growing presence in the region from Dubai, and its role in attracting major investments in the future, such as Tamweel has been implemented by companies from Dubai, such as Anghami, Karim, Souq and others. ”

“ON.DXB is an ideal opportunity to introduce Dubai to the region and the world in the media,” said Jamal Al Sharif of the Dubai TV and Film Commission. “It has become a favorite of international film production companies and a destination for the production of many films, programs, interactive content and advertising. “Thanks to its many potentials, including the legislative environment that stimulates creativity, innovation and ease of doing business.”

He added: “ON.DXB offers a wide range of experiences in the field of content production, especially Arabic content, which provides great growth opportunities, knowledge of best practices and enabling elements that support the growth and development of the content production process, and research in the areas of development in the regulatory and legislative environments, which are the main pillars of support. Promoting the reality of media and creative fields, with the participation of all components of the media sector, and enhances the ability of content makers and media in the region to keep abreast of the latest trends and developments, and contribute to the advancement of the future of media content, local and regional, to advanced levels of Excellence and Global Competitiveness.

The regional forum for content development and new media will be held at Dubai Studio City to take advantage of its advanced infrastructure, including studios and theaters equipped with the latest audio and video technologies. Since its inception, the city has contributed to supporting the content production industry in all forms, and managed to build a strong network of relationships Collaborate with the world's largest film, television and digital producers.

The festival's agenda will include a series of live interactive activities, such as music and visual performances, the launch of new electronic games, and opportunities to showcase the new technologies used in film, video and music production, and the development of electronic games, among others.

As a prelude to the launch of the festival, the organizing committee will organize a series of promotional activities aimed at engaging the creative industries in Dubai and the region as a whole, and enhance their presence and participation in the festival organized by Informa Markets.

Empowering innovators and talents

Filmmakers, music and video producers, and selected UAE and Arab interactive content and gaming developers will participate in the festival.

The discussion sessions and workshops, which will be held within the agenda of the festival, discuss ways to empower innovators and talents of the UAE media, and from across the region, and promote Arabic content in various electronic platforms, in addition to improving the quality of content, in general, through access to technology, funding, and Business environment for growth, bringing regional talent and creativity to the global.

• Dubai Media City supports the festival in cooperation with the Dubai TV and Film Production Committee.

• Attracting and developing talents in the field of media and content development are two main objectives of the festival.

• Discussion sessions and workshops with the participation of creators, experts and specialists from the region and the world.