DUBAI: The 1 Billion Followers Summit, the world's largest content creation event, has announced applications are open for the prestigious One Billion Award, a million-dollar prize set to honour creators making a global impact through digital media.
This award, the largest of its kind, aims to celebrate content that inspires positive societal change, aligns with cultural values, and strengthens compassion.
"The launch of this largest global award for excellence in content creation embodies the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum," stated Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs. "It serves as an inspiring platform for a generation of new voices and reinforces the potential for positive and meaningful change."
The announcement invites eligible content creators worldwide to apply through the summit’s official website by the deadline of 30 November 2024. The winner will be revealed at the summit’s closing ceremony on 13 January 2025.
Selection criteria
Applicants must detail the history and key concepts of their projects, highlighting their societal contributions and cultural values. The award is also open to third-party nominations, allowing individuals and organisations to nominate creators who promote community well-being and spread values of social good. Eligible content should inspire audiences, foster compassion, bridge cultural divides, and support sustainability. Additionally, entries must meet specific quality, design, and platform standards, and exhibit engagement with a wide online audience.
1 Billion Followers Summit 2024
The summit, taking place from 11 to 13 January 2025, is themed "Content for Good" and organised by Dubai’s New Media Academy. The One Billion Award initiative underscores the summit's goal of promoting a culture of "giving, compassion and communication without borders," as expressed by Al Gergawi.
This prize "marks a transformative step in creating impactful and positive content," he said, enhancing the summit's broader mission of fostering knowledge, encouraging innovation, and building a supportive network for influencers worldwide.
How will the winner be chosen?
The selection process will begin with a dedicated judging panel assessing entries from 1 to 15 December 2024. Ten finalists will be chosen, after which online voting will be open to the public from 16 to 31 December, allowing fans to support their favourite content creators. The final winner will be selected based on this combined input and officially announced during the summit’s closing on 13 January 2025.
Record participation
In its second edition this year, the 1 Billion Followers Summit drew over 7,000 participants, including 3,000 content creators from 95 countries, generating over 300 million interactions on social media and forming partnerships with over 200 production companies. Key figures such as 195 speakers led engaging sessions on the digital media landscape’s role in fostering societal development, and the summit’s hashtags amassed an impressive 489 million interactions.
What’s new for 2025?
To expand learning opportunities, the 2025 summit introduces three specialised tracks—technology, economy, and content creation—providing a more focused experience for both amateur and professional creators. This approach enables participants to enhance their skills, connect with like-minded creators, and maximise the summit's impact on advancing knowledge in the digital media sector.
As a platform bringing together top influencers across all digital platforms, the 1 Billion Followers Summit embodies a global mission to use media for positive impact, foster global unity, and drive sustainable economic growth. With this new award, the summit highlights its commitment to empowering creators to craft compelling narratives that shape a better, connected world.