Family in Frame Award Winners Announced in Abu Dhabi

Majalis Abu Dhabi at the Citizens and Community Affairs Office of the Presidential Court, in partnership with Creative Lab, part of Creative Media Authority Abu Dhabi (CMA), has announced the winners of the Family in Frame Award, a nationwide photography competition launched as part of the UAE Year of Family and the wider Family in Frame initiative.

The competition highlights photography as a powerful way to tell stories, preserve cultural traditions, and showcase the family values that connect generations across the UAE.

The award attracted nearly 1,300 submissions from photographers across the country. After a detailed evaluation process, 45 photographs were shortlisted before the final winners were selected by a panel of experts in photography, media and visual storytelling.

Photographs Captured Family Bonds and Cultural Traditions

The shortlisted photographs portrayed genuine family moments that reflected love, belonging and togetherness. The entries focused on shared experiences, strong intergenerational relationships and the important role families play in preserving traditions, strengthening cultural identity and building community connections.

The winners were honoured during an award ceremony held at Al Shamkha Majlis in Abu Dhabi.

Three Winning Photographs Recognised

First place was awarded to Dheyab Al Nuaimi for a photograph showing a gathering of multiple generations of an Emirati family. The image captured a simple everyday moment while highlighting how family traditions, shared experiences and cultural practices continue to unite different generations.

Second place went to Hamada Abdullah for a black-and-white portrait featuring the traditional Arabic nose greeting between an elderly man and a young boy. The photograph reflected affection, respect and the strong connection between generations.

Third place was awarded to Ana Backhaus for an image showing older hands guiding a child in preparing dough. The photograph illustrated how knowledge, traditions and care are passed from one generation to another through everyday family life.

CMA Highlights Importance of Creative Storytelling

Speaking about the competition, Salwa Al Hadhrami, Head of Creative Content and Creative Community Projects at CMA, said:

"The enthusiastic response to the Family in Frame Award reflects the deep connection people have with the values of family, belonging and shared experience. Through this collaboration with Majalis Abu Dhabi, we are proud to provide a platform for photographers, emerging creatives and community members of all ages to contribute to a national moment through visual storytelling. The winning submissions beautifully capture the warmth, intergenerational bonds and shared values that define family life, while highlighting the power of creative expression to support a cohesive and resilient society."

Read More: Abu Dhabi Wraps Up 3D Printing Initiative for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Expert Jury Selected the Winning Entries

The winning photographs were chosen by a distinguished judging panel representing international and regional expertise in photography and visual storytelling.

The panel included renowned British photographer Ranald Mackechnie as the final judge, alongside Emirati photographer and strategic advisor Khalid Alhashimi, Emirati sports photographer and Sony Middle East ambassador Hind Al Raeesi, portrait and landscape photographer Abdullah Al Braiki, and portrait photographer Mohamed Somji.

The judges evaluated every shortlisted entry based on creativity, quality and relevance to the competition theme, selecting images that best reflected family life, belonging and meaningful human connections.

Family in Frame Initiative Encourages Creative Participation

Launched in March 2026, the Family in Frame Award is part of the wider Family in Frame initiative led by Creative Lab and CMA. The programme celebrates the role of families in nurturing confidence, creativity and ambition.

The competition welcomed UAE nationals and residents of all ages, with each participant invited to submit one photograph that reflected the competition's theme through strong visual storytelling.

The initiative also supports Creative Lab and CMA's continued efforts to empower content creators by providing accessible opportunities for creative expression. Through photography, individuals and families are encouraged to share stories that celebrate unity, belonging and everyday moments that bring communities together.

Winning Works to Be Displayed During Eid Al Etihad 2026

The selected photographs will be showcased during Eid Al Etihad 2026 as part of a curated exhibition celebrating creativity and community participation. An accompanying video featuring the winners and highlights from the award ceremony will also be released through CMA and Majalis Abu Dhabi's official channels.