The Distinctive International Arab Festivals Awards (DIAFA) has announced its eighth edition, set for November 26 and 27, 2024. This prestigious celebration recognises distinguished personalities from different nationalities and fields, continuing a tradition that has grown into one of the Arab world's most anticipated annual awards events.
DIAFA 2024: Honouring Nizar Qabbani
DIAFA 2024 is dedicated to one of the Arab world's greatest literary icons: the Syrian poet Nizar Qabbani. His celebrated verses on love, loss, and Arab identity have resonated across generations, making him a fitting standard-bearer for an awards ceremony that champions cultural excellence.
The festival's award programme will be broadcast live from the Plaza Terrace of Jumeirah Emirates Towers, which faces Dubai's iconic landmark the Museum of the Future. The event opens on November 26 with a ceremony featuring a panel discussion with this year's honourees, giving audiences direct insight into their contributions and achievements.
Awards Ceremony: Red Carpet on November 27
The festival intensifies on day two, November 27, with a red carpet beginning at 6 pm followed by the highly anticipated awards ceremony at 8 pm. The ceremony will be broadcast live on various regional television channels, ensuring global reach and audience engagement.
A qualified committee of 25 journalists and media representatives from across the Arab region and beyond selects all awardees, drawing candidates from music, arts, culture, business, entrepreneurship, and journalism.
2023 DIAFA Honorees: 20 Countries Represented
In 2023, DIAFA honoured personalities from 20 different countries. That year's honorees included:
- Mona Zaki - Jacqueline Fernandez - Saad Lamjarred - Aditi Rao Hydari - Amir Karara - Soolking - Burak Deniz - Huda Hussein - Maguy Bou Ghosn - Pamela El Kik - Asmaa Ibraheem
The breadth of nationalities and disciplines represented underlines DIAFA's mission to celebrate achievement across the full spectrum of Arab and international cultural life.
About the Distinctive International Arab Festivals Awards
Founded in 2017, DIAFA has held seven editions prior to 2024, building a reputation as a platform that bridges Arab culture and global entertainment. Each year the ceremony brings together film, music, television, business, and media in a single evening of recognition, held against the unmistakable skyline of Dubai.
