New york city: The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity's Heartbeat of Humanity film series secured victory in the documentary category at the 30th annual Webby Awards, acclaimed as the 'Internet's highest honor' by the New York Times. Recognized for its excellence on the web, the Webby Awards, often dubbed the 'Oscars of the Internet,' celebrate outstanding work across websites, applications, and social media.
According to Emirates News Agency, the Heartbeat of Humanity series earned both the Webby Award, chosen by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, and the Webby People's Voice Award, which attracted over 4 million votes from the public. Emerging from over 13,000 entries, the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity stood among five finalists in the Documentary category, joining the ranks of previous winners such as National Geographic, Netflix, the Washington Post, and Business Insider.
Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, Secretary-General of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, emphasized the significance of this global recognition. He highlighted that the award underscores the humanitarian mission of the Zayed Award, which serves as an international platform honoring exemplary models promoting human fraternity values worldwide. He stated that the recognition is not only for the documentary film but also an international acknowledgment of the impactful message carried by the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity.
Abdelsalam further noted that this achievement bolsters the Award's status as a global platform that celebrates humanity, raises awareness of human fraternity values, and supports initiatives transforming values into reality. The film series, produced by Abu Dhabi-based creative group People, highlights the humanitarian efforts of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity 2025 and 2026 honorees, including figures and organizations such as Mia Amor Mottley, World Central Kitchen, Heman Bekele, the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace agreement, Taawon, and Zarqa Yaftali.
Tim Elliott, CEO of People, expressed pride in the dual recognition, which reflects both industry acknowledgment and a genuine connection with global audiences. He praised the team behind the series for their compassionate and respectful storytelling efforts. The 30th Annual Webby Awards ceremony is scheduled to occur in New York City on May 11, 2026, continuing the tradition of celebrating internet excellence since its establishment in 1996.
