Early bird entries submitted before 23:59 on 22 May, 2026 will be charged an early bird rate of $400. Standard entries submitted from 23 May to 23:59 on 14 August 2026 will be charged at the rate of $600. Final entries submitted from 15 August to 23:59 on 04 September 2026 will be charged at the rate of $800. All individual entries will be charged at the rate of $300.
WHEN IS THE ENTRY DEADLINE?
The deadline for standard entry is 23.59 on 14 August, 2026. The final deadline is 23.59 04 September 2026.
IS THERE A LIMIT TO THE NUMBER OF ENTRIES I CAN SUBMIT?
No – you can submit an unlimited amount of entries in multiple categories. We recommend that you tailor each of your entries for each category. For any support on category entry, please contact awards@atharfestival.com
HOW DO I ENTER?
To submit an entry, please download the entry form, complete and upload (as a word or PDF document) when prompted via the online entry portal.
IS THERE A WORD LIMIT?
All entries must not exceed the stated word count of 1000 words. The word count does not include the 150 word summary or the 150 word Saudi Context.
WHAT IS THE CAMPAIGN ELIGIBILITY?
Campaigns must have been completed between 01 January 2025 - 04 September 2026
WHAT SUPPORTING MATERIALS CAN I PROVIDE?
Supporting materials can be provided in Word, PDF or JPEG formats. You must upload a case video up to 2 minutes.
IS THERE A FILE UPLOAD LIMIT?
All files must not exceed 2MB each. You can upload up to three supporting documents, along with your entry form.
WHAT DATE IS THE ATHAR AWARDS TAKING PLACE?
The Athar Awards 2026 will take place in November over a Gala Dinner.
ARE THE ATHAR AWARDS ONLY FOR CREATIVE AGENCIES?
No. The Athar Awards are open to brands, in-house teams, agencies, government entities, production companies, startups and freelancers.
You do not need to be a creative or advertising agency to enter.
WHO SHOULD SUBMIT THE ENTRY - THE BRAND OR THE AGENCY?
Entries may be submitted by:
● The brand or in-house team
● An agency or production partner on behalf of a brand
● Or jointly
All entries are judged anonymously.
DO THE ATHAR AWARDS HAVE BRANDING, FILM OR PR CATEGORIES?
No. The Athar Awards do not have format-based categories (such as Branding, Film, PR, Production or Digital). All entries are judged within categories aligned to the pillars of Saudi Vision 2030, not by channel or format.
CAN BRANDING WORK BE ENTERED INTO THE ATHAR AWARDS?
Yes. Brand identity, rebrands, brand platforms, naming and design-led work are all eligible to enter — provided the work aligns with the purpose and impact of a category.
For example, branding work may be entered into:
● Best Transformation Campaign
● Best Cultural Campaign
● Best Business Growth Campaign
CAN FILM OR PRODUCTION-LED WORK BE ENTERED?
Absolutely. Brand films, documentaries, short films, content series, TV, cinema and production-led work are all eligible. Film-led work should be entered into the category that best reflects its objective and impact, not its format.
CAN PR OR COMMUNICATIONS CAMPAIGNS BE ENTERED?
Yes. PR, communications and reputation-led campaigns are fully eligible across all campaign categories. The jury will assess the idea, strategy, execution and results, regardless of whether the campaign was PR-led, film-led or brand-led.
CAN DESIGN OR EXPERIENCE-LED WORK BE ENTERED?
Yes. Design, experiential, retail, event and experience-led work can be entered across all relevant categories. What matters is why the work was created and the impact it delivered - not the channel.
HOW DO I CHOOSE THE RIGHT CATEGORY IF THERE ISN’T ONE FOR MY DISCIPLINE?
Choose the category that best reflects the purpose and outcome of your work. Ask yourself:
● What was the core objective?
● Which Vision 2030 pillar does this support?
● What impact did it deliver?
The format of the work does not determine the category.
CAN THE SAME WORK BE ENTERED INTO MORE THAN ONE CATEGORY?
Yes. The same campaign or project can be entered into multiple categories, provided each submission is tailored to the category criteria.
WHAT IF I’M STILL UNSURE WHERE MY WORK FITS?
The Athar team is happy to help. If you’re unsure which category best suits your work, please contact the team before entering.