- ARAB NEWS
- 26 Apr 2024
Since 1975
Arab News Japan
DUBAI: Saudi Manga Productions, a subsidiary company of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Misk Foundation, in collaboration with NEOM, announced a competition on March. 17 that invites creatives to design innovative solutions for the future residents of the megacity in the Kingdom’s northwest, to be featured in the second season of the Saudi animation series “Future Folktales.”
The competition aims to empower local and international talents to unleash their creative potential and showcase their work to both, Arab and global audiences.
Imagine the New Future. #NEOMxMANGA invites you to ‘Create Your Tomorrow' – three entrants will win a course on designing characters and the chance of their props being featured in #FuturesFolktales Season 2, based in #NEOM.
— NEOM (@NEOM) March 17, 2021
Sign up here: https://t.co/e8Q0zrQq76#DiscoverNEOM pic.twitter.com/63ZvInBDhw
The first season of “Future Folktales” released in 2020 was the first Saudi animated show to be produced in conjunction with Japanese studio Toei Animation. In 13 episodes that attracted a global audience of more than 70 million, the show linked the past with the future, tradition with innovation and embodied the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
The second season of the series will use NEOM as the main location. Creatives are asked to imagine the life of citizens in the futuristic city in 2050 and design “unique futuristic props” that will provide them with an innovative solution. Those taking part in the competition must explain the innovation behind their devices and why they are useful. Contestants will have to choose one of three options to design, which include: A futuristic phone, a Micro-Drone or Gym Equipment.
The competition is open to all drawing enthusiasts in Saudi Arabia and Japan aged between 13 and 35.
Designs will be judged by the Senior Director and Producer at Toei Animation Mr. Shinji Shimizu, Director at Toei Animation Mr. Masami Shimoda, the Creative Director at Manga Productions in Saudi Arabia Mr. Ryan Cannon and the Manager of Gaming at NEOM Mr. Essam Alghamdi.
The evaluation criteria for the designs are as follows: The ability to communicate the concept of the prop design through drawing will account for 20 points, innovation and creativity in the work presented will account for 20 points, the quality of drawing, choice of colors and their overall aesthetic will account for 20 points, the addition of innovative details to the prop design will account for 20 points and the inclusion of designs and details that enable the prop to function in a manner that is safe for the environment will account for 20 points.
There will be two rounds through which candidates are selected. During the first round, six candidates (two from each category) will be selected, three weeks after launch of the competition (March 17) and during the second round, the jury will select three final winners from each category based on the audiences’ votes.
The three selected winning designs will be featured in the second season of the series “Future Folktales” in 2022 and winners will gain access to a six-week intensive course in character design delivered by international experts.
Nominated works will be announced on April 15, while winners will be announced on April 18.
To enter the competion, interested parties are required to undergo three steps. First, they will have to register on the website and fill in their details after reading the terms and conditions. Second, the work that is based on the chosen category should be submitted on the website by April 7, in addition to a brief explanation about the idea behind the creative design. Lastly, contestants should follow the social media accounts of Manga Productions and NEOM in order to stat updated on the latest news regarding the competition.
