Everything You Need to Know About the 2026 Al-Rawi Awards

There are awards for films, books, short stories, music, but this one is for vision. The Al Rawi Storytelling Award returns for its second edition, spotlighting Egypt’s youngest storytellers with prizes reaching up to EGP 3.5 million.

Back for 2026 with nearly double the prize pool from its debut, Al Rawi’s theme, ‘How You See Egypt’, invites filmmakers, writers, musicians, chefs, artists and digital creators to interpret the country’s identity in formats that feel native to now: reels, short docs, monologues, even culinary storytelling.

And then there’s the jury, chaired by ad mogul Tarek Nour, the committee brings together icons like Yousra, composer Hesham Nazih, screenwriter Tamer Habib, novelist Ahmed Mourad and Mariam Naoum. Around them, a wider network of industry trailblazers, from MO4 Network’s Amy Mowafi to RCM Worldwide’s Ahmed Ebeid, architects Karim El Hayawan and Mostafa Salem, and more, will oversee categories that sit at the intersection of culture and content.

Even the food world gets its due, with chefs and restaurateurs like Mirette Aly, Mohamed Abd El Hak and Shehab Medhat judging culinary entries where storytelling happens on the plate.

Nine categories make the cut: from one-minute digital content and sub-five-minute documentaries to short films, scripts, music, photography, art, monologues and food videos. The structure intentionally entails low barriers, high creativity, and room for both emerging voices and seasoned creators to play.

Winners in each category take home EGP 200,000, with runner-ups receiving EGP 50,000 and EGP 30,000, while one standout storyteller claims the EGP 1,000,000 grand prize.

In a move that mirrors the award’s digital-first ethos, the ceremony will be streamed via TikTok Live, extending the stage into the feeds of a region-wide audience.

Submissions close April 20th, with the shortlist dropping May 1st and winners announced June 1st.