Dubai Culture Launches AED 2 Million Competition for Emirati Animated Series

Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) has launched the 'Stories of Wulfa' competition, inviting creatives to produce an animated series rooted in Emirati culture, values, and traditions. The winning project will receive a AED 2 million funding package for its development and production, culminating in a showcase during the 'Season of Wulfa'.

The initiative aims to foster local talent and support the creation of original visual content that reinforces the UAE's cultural identity. Submissions for the competition are open until 15 November 2026 and are welcomed from a diverse range of creators, including artists, writers, illustrators, directors, designers, filmmakers, animation studios, production companies, and creative teams from both local and international backgrounds.

Series Content and Criteria

The proposed animated series is expected to comprise 15 episodes, each approximately 20 minutes in length. Potential themes for the series are broad, drawing inspiration from various facets of Emirati life and heritage, such as:

• Everyday life and family relationships
• Traditional hospitality
• Cultural events like ‘Hag Al Laila’, Ramadan, Eid Al Fitr, and Eid Al Adha
• Majlises (traditional gathering spaces)
• Historical figures, heritage, folk tales, and traditional games

Submissions will be evaluated based on several key criteria, ensuring both artistic merit and cultural relevance. These include the quality of storytelling, cultural authenticity and originality, visual direction and character development, production readiness, and broadcast potential.

Shaima Rashed Al Suwaidi, CEO of the Arts, Design and Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, emphasised the importance of investing in original content as a cornerstone for advancing the cultural and creative industries and driving growth in the animation sector. She highlighted the Authority's commitment to enabling local talent to transform Emirati cultural heritage into globally competitive creative works.