KUWAIT: Saad Al-Ali, Chairman of the Higher Committee for the Kuwait Media Award (Shiraa), announced on Wednesday that the four judging committees have concluded their work and finalized the shortlists of nominees, following a thorough screening and evaluation process of all submitted entries. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony scheduled for early February. Speaking at a press conference, Al-Ali said a total of 217 entries were received across various media categories. He explained that the judging process went through several stages to ensure the highest levels of fairness, objectivity and transparency.
He noted that a select group of media specialists from Kuwait and across the Arab world reviewed the submissions, with 198 media works meeting the award’s technical standards and eligibility requirements. This, he said, reflects the committee’s commitment to maintaining the highest levels of quality and professionalism. Al-Ali praised the efforts of the judging panels, commending their dedication and professionalism in identifying outstanding media works that showcase creativity within Kuwait’s media landscape. He also highlighted the strong engagement from media professionals, which has further reinforced the Shiraa Award’s standing as a leading platform for excellence.
Chairman of the Supreme Committee for the Kuwait Media Award (Shiraa) Saad Al-Ali
He added that the Higher Committee will also announce the winners of several special awards during the ceremony, including Leading Media Personality of the Year, Promising Young Media Personality of the Year, and Best Media Work or Institution Addressing a Topic of National Importance. These awards aim to recognize contributions that serve society and promote national values. Al-Ali expressed his appreciation to Minister of Information and Culture and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi for his close follow-up and support of the award’s progress. He also thanked members of the Higher Committee and the judging panels for their efforts in ensuring the success of this year’s edition.
He said the upcoming ceremony will mark the culmination of a year of dedication, creativity and hard work. The Shiraa Award seeks to promote excellence across all media fields and reflects Kuwait’s commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and creativity. It also honors individuals and institutions that enrich the media sector and help create a competitive environment grounded in quality and professionalism, while underscoring the vital role of media in shaping public opinion and supporting societal issues.
The award is presented across a wide range of media disciplines. Individual categories include Best Interviewer, Best Content Creator, Best Investigative Report, Best Columnist, Best Critical Article, Best Photograph and Best Cartoon. Group awards include Best Interview, Best Documentary, Best Individual Interview Program, Best Interactive Program, Best Cinematography, Best AI-Based Work and Best Integrated Media Campaign. — KUNA
