MEB to announce Awards Jury in May
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The Middle East Broadcasters Association will announce the jury members for the first annual MEB Awards on May 15, a list that “promises to be a directory of who’s who in Arab broadcasting industry,” say the organizers.
“We have tried to keep the jury membership well-balanced, with participation across the industry, from the editing room to the acting trailer, and from different Arab countries,” said Ramez Maluf, editor of the MEB Journal and Awards organizer.
Among confirmed jury members are director Mohammad Khan, talk show host Mahmood Saad, actress Rola Hmadeh, actor Ammar Chalak, director Haytham Hakki, producer Mazen Rifka, director Najdat Anzour, Orbit CEO Tarek El Kashef, and talk show host Zaki Wehbe.
The MEB Association created this awards ceremony to honor excellence in all facets of Middle East broadcasting. After a rigorous selection process, the winners in each of twenty-five categories, which celebrate everything from directing to editing, lighting, reporting and costume design, will receive the 24k gold-plated Mebby statue. A special lifetime achievement award will also be presented.
After the jury members, who are expected to number over one hundred, are selected, the MEB Association will begin accepting entries from television stations and production houses. After the entry period, the jurors will select five nominees in each of the categories, after which members of the MEB Association will choose the winner. “This will involve nearly 2,000 MEB Association members voting through a specially designed website under the supervision of an auditing firm,” said Layal Abu Darwich, a member of the MEB Awards committee.
“The idea is that no one, not even MEB organizers, will know who will walk away with the Mebby awards until the announcement is made on stage on December 10,” said Abu Darwich. “We are adopting an international system that goes beyond direct selection by jury.” While current Arab television awards “are all significant, we will be adding something new, recognition by peers, and that we believe is the highest praise for any professional,” said Abu Darwich
Editors will vote for best editing, actors for best actors, and so forth, explained Maluf. Some larger categories will allow for a wider grouping.
Anyone who has been working in broadcasting for a full year, and in full-time capacity, may join the MEB Association by registering online. However, only those who register before August 31, 2006 will be allowed to vote for the 2006 Awards.
TV stations and productions houses must submit their entries by June 10. Entry forms will be mailed to them during the first week of April and will also be available at www.mebawards.com.
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