ATI announces shortlist for playwriting competition for children

Exceptional response and competition results

The competition received an overwhelming response, with 200 out of 217 submitted scripts meeting the eligibility criteria. The final shortlist features 20 scripts, which will be judged based on creativity and relevance to the theme, with winners to be announced in two weeks. The shortlisted plays are: Al-Bawaba Al-Khadra by Abdelhadi Shalaan (Egypt) for ages 10–14; Al-Shater Masoud and the Just Wish by Osama Saji Ibrahim (Syria) for ages 15–18; The Night of 1001 by Asia Abdel Elawi (Algeria) for ages 12–16; Al-Hilali the Little by Mohamed Sarour (Egypt) for ages 10–15; Me and Shahriar and the Castle of the Evil Ones by Mahmoud Aqab (Egypt) for ages 8–14; Bousadia, Dance of Freedom to the Rhythm of Chains by Haifa Mohamed Al-Kamil (Tunisia) for ages 14–18; Jabeena and the Ghoul by Haya Saleh (Jordan) for ages 12–15; The Moon’s Wall by Zubaida Hassan Raja (Syria/Turkey) for ages 8–14; Samir and the Tambourine by Ahmed Mohamed Shimi (Egypt) for ages 9–12; Suhail and the Sleeping Tales by Hani Abdelrahman Abdelmaqsood (Egypt) for ages 8–14; The Box of Tales by Ibrahim Al-Husseini (Egypt) for ages 12–16; Adnan and Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves by Mustafa Saidi (Morocco) for ages 8–14; Aladdin and the Lamp Made in China by Hani Qadri (Egypt) for ages 8–12; Ali Baba, Rami, and the Forty Thieves by Reda Ahmed Embaby (Egypt) for ages 8–12; Aousha, the Guardian of the Tale by Wafa Salem Al-Shamsi (Oman) for ages 8–13; The Christmas Treasure by Moataz Saad Bin Hamid (Libya) for ages 10–16; Layla and the End of Ali Baba by Yasser Mohamed Aslam Al-Balooshi (Oman) for ages 9–12; Simulating the Story of Al-Zir by Abdelhakim Rakhia (Egypt) for ages 14–18; An Adventure in the World of Tales by Ghada Sabri Shaheen (Egypt) for ages 8–12; and This is My Lamp, Oh Aladdin by Sharifa Al-Akhdar Badri (Tunisia) for ages 8–12.

A focus on educational and cultural value

The Arab Theatre Authority emphasized that all shortlisted scripts reflect the competition’s educational goals. The competition focuses on deepening the connection to and pride in cultural identity among children. Ismail Abdullah, Secretary-General of the Arab Theatre Authority, affirmed the importance of this initiative, stating that it contributes to nurturing a generation that appreciates its heritage while exploring its future through updated, relevant storytelling.