5th Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre draws in record submissions

The Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre (DFYT), a one-of-its-kind initiative in the UAE, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), to promote Emirati theatre talent, has drawn in record submissions in its fifth cycle.

Following the closing of submissions on June 16, 2011, Dubai Culture recorded submissions from the 16 theatre groups established in the UAE, including two international submissions. With a 60 per cent increase in submissions from 2010, the Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre has evolved considerably to contribute to the growth of the Emirati theatre scene.

Yasser Al Gergawi, Manager of Performing Arts, Dubai Culture & Arts Authority said: “The theatre scene has flourished greatly over the last five years. The overwhelming response received from the UAE theatre groups for the fifth cycle of the Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre, highlights its commitment to provide emerging Emirati theatre talent with a key platform that covers all aspects of theatre. We look forward to appraising the works of these talented individuals over the next few months.”

The submissions will be reviewed by the Play Screening Committee, comprising veterans from the various arts who will shortlist the plays based on their quality and readiness to participate in the Festival later this year.

The fifth edition of the Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre will be held from October 1 to 10, 2011, and focuses on promoting Emirati and Arab theatre artists by providing a dedicated platform to showcase their talent in addition to sharpening their skills through critique sessions led by experts.