The eyes of the Arab world and beyond will be on Riyadh, the Saudi capital, tomorrow, Saturday, January 17, as it prepares to host the sixth edition of the region's largest entertainment event, the Joy Awards, as part of Riyadh Season. This ceremony, sponsored by the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), chaired by His Excellency Advisor Turki bin Abdulmohsen Al-Sheikh, reaffirms the Kingdom's position as a global hub for arts and creativity.
The importance of the event and its cultural context
The Joy Awards ceremony is no longer just an awards event; over the past few years, it has transformed into a cultural and artistic platform reflecting the tremendous development of the entertainment sector in Saudi Arabia, in line with Vision 2030. The festival is distinguished by being the largest of its kind, relying entirely on public voting, which lends it high credibility and reflects the true tastes of the Arab public. Furthermore, the adoption of a lavender carpet instead of the traditional red one symbolizes the Kingdom's natural and cultural identity, giving the event a local character with a global appeal.
Show details and broadcasting channels
The live broadcast of the ceremony will begin at 7:00 PM Saudi time, with MBC Group channels (MBC1, MBC Egypt, MBC Iraq, and MBC5) and the Shahid platform covering the extraordinary evening, from the arrival of the stars and their dazzling appearances on the lavender carpet to the suspenseful moments and the announcement of the winners. The ceremony is expected to draw a significant international audience, including stars from Hollywood and Bollywood, as well as prominent figures in the Arab arts.
Top nominees in the film category
This year's film industry is witnessing fierce competition, with four films vying for the title of "Favorite Film": "Al-Zarfa," "Siko Siko," "The Wedding of Fire," and "Hobal." In the acting category, the nominees for Favorite Actor are Maged El-Kedwany, Ahmed Malek, Bashar Al-Shatti, and Mohamed Shaif. Meanwhile, the Favorite Actress category is seeing a strong competition between Donia Samir Ghanem, Hana El-Zahed, Aya Samaha, and Shujoun Al-Hajri.
Television drama and music
In the world of drama, the nominations are diverse, encompassing major Gulf, Egyptian, and Middle Eastern productions. The Egyptian series "Ashghal Shaqqa Jiddan," "Esh Esh," and "Lam Shamsiya" are competing, while "Al Marsa" and "Shari' Al A'sha" stand out in the Gulf region. The cast includes prominent names such as Elham Ali, Amina Khalil, Moatasem Al Nahar, and Abdulmohsen Al Nemer.
As for music, a battle is underway between established giants and the new generation; Assala, Angham, and Nancy Ajram are vying for the title of favorite female artist, while Al Shami, Ayed, and Fadl Shaker are in the favorite male artist category. The songs "Husseini" by Toulet and "Doctor" by Al Shami stand out as strong contenders.
Sports and influencers
The festival also recognizes sporting achievements and the impact of social media. Star player Salem Al-Dawsari and world-class goalkeeper Yassine Bounou are competing for the Favorite Athlete award. In the Influencers category, names like “Abu Khalil” and “Osama Marwa” stand out, reflecting the diverse categories the festival covers, encompassing all aspects of the modern entertainment industry.
