Creators hq: The first content creator hub in the UAE and the Middle East, part of Visioneers, and the global social media platform X have announced the launch of the Creators Competition: X Originals. This groundbreaking competition is the first of its kind globally and is in partnership with X Originals, an initiative that was initially unveiled during the third edition of the 1 Billion Followers Summit, which concluded in Dubai last January.
According to Emirates News Agency, the announcement was made at the 1 Billion Followers Summit, the world's largest event dedicated to shaping the content creator economy. The event was organized by the UAE Government Media Office and hosted in the UAE. The 3-day summit took place at Emirates Towers, DIFC, and the Museum of the Future, under the theme 'Content for Good,' attracting over 150,000 content creators and more than 500 speakers, with a combined audience of 3.5 billion followers.
The competition aims to produce new exclusive, original, high-value global content on X, in collaboration with its popular X Originals entertainment collection. Participants are required to submit a creative, original concept for a video ranging from 7 to 20 minutes in one of five categories: Sports, Travel and Culture, Gaming and Tech, Lifestyle, and Philanthropy. All submissions must comply with Creators HQ's content standards and X's community guidelines.
The competition seeks to discover and support emerging talent with a total prize pool of US$500,000, offered by Creators HQ. Five winners will receive support and access to advanced equipment, studios, and tools to develop their video content, valued at US$100,000 per winner. This initiative is a significant addition to the global digital creativity landscape and underscores the UAE's commitment to empowering creative content creators.
Alia AlHammadi, Vice Chairperson of the UAE Government Media Office and CEO of the 1 Billion Followers Summit, emphasized that Arab and global talent can create meaningful content that resonates with millions, reinforces human values, and builds bridges between cultures. AlHammadi highlighted that the Creators Competition: X Originals marks a significant step in empowering creators globally and reinforces the UAE's role as a hub for the creative economy.
Mitchell Smith, Global Head of Original Content at X, expressed excitement over the partnership with Creators HQ, stating it marks a thrilling milestone in their mission to empower creators worldwide. Smith noted that the UAE is a world-leading hub for creativity, providing a vibrant environment for creators to share their stories with X's global audience.
The competition is designed to attract talented content creators from around the world across five main categories. Applications can be submitted through the official form on the Creators HQ website. A specialized jury, including technical experts and prominent creators, will evaluate entries based on creativity, originality, storytelling, relevance, production feasibility, and audience engagement potential.
Entries must be original ideas, and any AI-generated content submitted without disclosure will be disqualified. Participants may submit multiple ideas in different categories. The application period opens on January 9, 2026, and closes on February 15, 2026. The winners will be announced during Ramadan, and they will receive advanced production resources to develop their content. The top three winners will be announced in June 2026.
