His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai International Marine Club, honoured the winners of the eighth edition of the Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre, at a gala closing ceremony in the presence of dignitaries.

Organised by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the Emirates dedicated Authority for culture, arts, and heritage, the 2014 edition of the Festival featured five compelling plays, all of which were performed in classical Arabic, in line with the mandate of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President & Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to strengthen and nurture the Arabic language.

The winners are:

Best Play: Nokhitha and the Drummer
Best Play by Public Vote: Quom Mutran
Best Director: Hussein Jawad, Ala Al Hawiya
Best Actor(Lead Role): Hasan Yousef, Nokhitha and the Drummer
Best Actress (Lead Role): This prize was not awarded and the judging committee presented a special appreciation award to Haifaa Al Ali for her role in Quom Mutran
Best Supporting Actor: Mohammed Ben Yarouf, Khaith Wayhik
Best Supporting Actress: This prize was not awarded
Best Design (Dcor): Omar Al Mulla, Khaith Wayhik
Best Design (Lighting): Mohammed Masoud Sabt, Nokhitha and the Drummer
Best Costume: Sultan Ben Dafoun, Quom Mutran
Best Makeup: Maram Abdullah, Quom Mutran
Best Sound Effects: Jasam Mohammed Al Salty, Ala Al Hawiya
Personality of the Year: Hassan Rageb
Special Jury Award: Abdullah Al Makbaly, Ala Al Hawiya
The Festival's Arabic Language Award: Ala Al Hawiya

The jury evaluating this years theatrical performances include, Omar Obaid Ghobash (Head of Jury), and Dina Abu Hamdan, Khaled Al Bannay, Youssef Yacoub and Mohammed Said Ahmed (members).

HH Sheikh Mansour Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum also honoured Mr. Hassan Rageb as Personality of the Year, for his outstanding contribution to the artform and his continued encouragement and support to emerging talents.

Yasser Al Gergawi, Acting Projects & Events Director of Dubai Culture, and head of the organising committee of Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre, said: The success of the eighth edition of the festival is a testament to the popularity of the artform and the commitment of Dubai Culture to present the finest theatre talent in the country an opportunity to showcase their skills. The quality of the plays and the appreciation that the participants gained from veteran theatre experts clearly defines the strong and sustained growth of theatre in the UAE. We will continue to nurture the theatre and cultural scene through year-round initiatives.

A highlight of this years Festival was that eminent theatre personalities attending the Festival shared their views on the plays in a Majlis-style interactive discussion session every day. The goal of the sessions was to promote a greater understanding on performing arts and enable participants to further their talent and skill.

The Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre continues to be the definitive platform for aspiring theatric talent. From budding directors, playwrights and actors to technical professionals working on stage, costume, and lighting, and make-up artists, participate in the programme that are geared towards educating them on the various aspects of theatre production.