Nahla Zayed The second edition of Al Rawi – The Storyteller Award was officially launched in Cairo during an intimate evening gathering that brought together policymakers, creative leaders, and media figures. This event marked an important step forward for the initiative as it builds on the foundations set by its first edition and expands its role within Egypt’s creative landscape.
Held at Mamina’s Restaurant in Palm Hills, 6th of October City, the launch welcomed H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, alongside advertising pioneer Tarek Nour and businessman Mohamed Farouk, Chairman and CEO of Mobica, and patron of the event. In addition, members of the award’s jury joined a wider circle of cultural figures, senior officials, and content creators, underscoring the breadth of support behind the initiative.
The second edition of Al Rawi is held under the auspices of four ministries: the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, the Ministry of Social Solidarity, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, and the Ministry of Culture. It is further supported by the technological partner e& Egypt, which oversaw the full development of the application portal, and Mobica.
As it returns for a second year, Al Rawi does so with a broader vision and a more defined focus on youth participation. This edition introduces nine creative categories, each designed to encourage young talents to tell their own stories and reflect on how they see Egypt today. In doing so, the award seeks to strengthen young people’s sense of connection to their country while giving them the freedom to express that relationship through diverse creative formats.
During the launch, Tarek Nour spoke about the idea at the heart of Al Rawi, emphasizing that storytelling remains one of the most powerful vehicles for meaning, influence, and shared values. From his perspective, the award was created to move beyond recognition alone, offering young creators a credible platform through which their voices and ideas can genuinely be heard.
Echoing this sentiment, Mohamed Farouk noted that his support for the award stems from a belief in creativity as a driver of both development and community building. He added that initiatives like Al Rawi play a crucial role in identifying new talent early on, while also providing the support and exposure needed for that talent to grow and have a lasting impact.
Technology and accessibility also featured prominently during the evening. Through the online portal developed with e&, applications will open in January 2026, making the award accessible to a wide pool of young creators across the world. At the same time, organizers revealed the theme of the second edition, “How You See Egypt,” inviting participants to present their personal perspectives on Egypt’s identity, culture, history, present, or future, using any creative medium they choose.
The jury brings together more than 28 prominent figures from film, television, music, publishing, advertising, and digital content, divided into nine committees corresponding to the competition’s categories. This year features Egyptian advertising pioneer Tarek Nour, acclaimed actress Yousra, actor Amr Youssef, director Marwan Hamed, and award-winning composer Hesham Nazih, alongside producer and screenwriter Mohamed Hefzy, novelist and screenwriter Ahmed Mourad, screenwriter Mariam Naoum, writer Tamer Habib, and film producer Tarek El Ganainy. Each committee also includes additional established creatives, ensuring a breadth of expertise across the competition’s diverse artistic disciplines.
Beyond that, Al Rawi will honor exceptional talent across multiple categories: Digital Content (1-minute reel), Long-Form Documentary (5 minutes max), Short Film (30 minutes max), Monologue Video (2 minutes max), Scriptwriting (up to 3,000 words), Photography, Art, Music, and Culinary Video. Each category carries a cash prize of EGP 200,000, reinforcing the award’s commitment to offering meaningful support rather than symbolic recognition.
Through this expanded second edition, Al Rawi – The Storyteller Award continues to position itself as a platform that celebrates storytelling in all its forms, while opening new pathways for young creatives to develop, express themselves, and reach wider audiences.
Further details on participation criteria and submission guidelines will be announced through the award’s official social media channels:
Al Rawi Awards on Instagram
Al Rawi – The Storyteller Awards on Facebook
