According to information compiled by FEW.ae editor, the fourth edition of the Congress of Arabic & Creative Industries, a major forum for Arabic culture and creative media, is scheduled to take place in Dubai. The event is designed to explore the forces reshaping Arabic storytelling, art, media, and culture.
Event Logistics & Venue Highlights
The congress will be hosted at a prestigious venue in Dubai—likely a leading cultural centre equipped with state‑of‑the‑art technical capabilities. Previous editions in Abu Dhabi were held at Manarat Al Saadiyat, featuring large auditoriums, breakout rooms, and interactive demo zones. We anticipate Dubai’s venue to offer:
- Seating for several hundred attendees and multiple simultaneous sessions
- Advanced audio‑visual infrastructure: high‑definition screens, multi‑camera setups, and industry‑standard sound systems
- An exhibition space for live demos of XR technologies, AI applications, digital storytelling tools, and publisher showcases
Date & Travel Considerations
While exact dates are pending formal announcement, past editions have taken place in spring—April or May. Attendees can reasonably expect a two-day programme featuring lectures, panels, and workshops. Dubai’s well‑connected transport network—metro lines, ride‑share, taxis, and airports—will ensure easy access to the venue. Daily weather in spring typically features clear, dry conditions around 28 °C (82 °F), offering a pleasant backdrop for both indoor and optional outdoor networking breaks.
Organisers & Featured Speakers
The congress is organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) under the umbrella of the Department of Culture & Tourism – UAE. ALC’s mission is to advance the Arabic language across creative, educational, and cultural domains, leveraging global partnerships to elevate emerging media.
The agenda is expected to include keynote presentations by prominent leaders such as Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak (Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi) and Mohamed El‑Erian, renowned economist and President of Queens’ College Cambridge, moderated by Caroline Faraj, CNN Arabic’s Vice‑President and Editor‑in‑Chief.
Featured speakers will likely include:
- Fawzi Mesmar, VP of Global Creative at Ubisoft, exploring video games as a storytelling medium
- Marwan Hamed, director and Ahmed Mourad, screenwriter/author, on novel‑to‑film adaptations
- Karim Abdel Aziz, actor, with insights on the interplay between literature and cinema
- Industry figures from Manga Productions, Google, Frankfurt Book Fair, and Shimmer AI, addressing topics like generative AI, XR storytelling, and rights‑market pitching
Key Themes & Programme Highlights
Expect a high‑impact programme with tracks and panels including:
| Theme | Description |
|---|---|
| Technological Transformation | Evaluates AI’s role in content creation and human‑tech synergy |
| Literature ↔ Film | Explores adaptation dynamics with seasoned directors & actors |
| Game Storytelling | Cross‑border narratives in gaming, moderated by Ubisoft’s Mesmar |
| Creative Economy & Partnerships | Public‑private sector collaborations shaping the creative market |
| New Readership & Engagement | Strategies to encourage Arabic reading among youth, including interactive platforms |
| Emerging Tech Workshops | Practical sessions on XR, podcast studios, visual novel creation, and right‑pitching |
Additionally, attendees can connect with literary and film agents, participate in hackathons, and experience live demos of cutting‑edge tech in content delivery .
Immersive Experience & Collaborative Vision
This congress is not only a knowledge forum—it’s also a collaborative ecosystem. Attendees will have opportunities for legal and business matchmaking, rights exchange, IP negotiation, and startup pitch exposure. Live exhibitions and hackathons aim to empower UAE youth and global creators with tangible impact and networks.
Dubai’s iteration of the Congress promises to further amplify the Arabic cultural narrative through multimedia formats and cross‑industry partnerships. With robust organisation by ALC and DCT, a lineup of global thought leaders, and a future‑oriented agenda, the event is set to elevate Arabic creative content on the world stage.
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