Several emerging writers were announced as winners in different categories of the prestigious MBRSC Short Story Award: ‘New Voices in Sci-Fi’ at the 2026 Emirates Airline Festival of Literature. Five participants got a special mention as well.
Presented by the Emirates Literature Foundation in collaboration with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), the award challenged aspiring authors to craft original and thought-provoking science fiction stories exploring themes such as space exploration, time travel, advanced technology and futuristic civilisations.
Open to submissions in both Arabic and English, the competition invited writers to imagine new worlds — from intergalactic adventures and robot-driven societies to groundbreaking scientific discoveries — while demonstrating strong storytelling craft and creative vision.
The Winners and Special Mentions announced in the different age categories in the English language segment were as follows:
Age 16–21 category
- Krystal Wu
- Yusr Al Dulaimi
- Malaika Nazir
Special Mention: Sarika Saravana
Age 22–30 category
- Alyaa Ferry
- Aditi Patwari
- Zahra Almarhoon
Special Mention: Patricia Mae Estenoso
Age 31–40 category
- Jay Sreekumar
- Tara Bradford
- Zainab Ahmed
Special Mention: Shayesteh Yarmahmoudi
The Arabic-language edition winners, as announced in an Arabic press statement, in different age categories are:
Age 16–21
- Haya Azzi,
- Sundus Obaid
- Hessa Hamood Al Shabibi
Special Mention: Shahad Khalfan Rashid Ali Al Umaimi
Age 22–30 category
- Kulaitham Al Blooshi
- Mohammad Al Suwaidi
- Basel Khairi
Age 31–40 category
- Nabal Akram Al Razy
- Ghada Hassan Mohammad Saif Al Murshedi
- Mayid Al Kaabi
Special Mention: Salma Al Noor
Social media posts by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) also celebrated the winners.
The winning writers will have the opportunity to further develop their skills through expert-led workshops, with selected stories set to be published in the region’s first ever literary sci-fi literary magazine, marking an important milestone in their literary journeys. Special Mention recipients received certificates at the awards ceremony, according to a press statement by the Emirates Literature Foundation.
H.E. Salem Humaid AlMarri, Director General of MBRSC, said in a statement: “This award reflects our belief in the role of science fiction as a creative space where ideas about science, technology, and the future can take shape. Through this initiative, we are empowering emerging writers in the UAE by giving them a platform to share their perspectives, develop their skills, and explore imaginative visions of the future. We are pleased to collaborate with the Emirates Literature Foundation on this competition, which supports creative talent and contributes to a vibrant cultural and knowledge ecosystem, reinforcing the UAE’s position as a centre for innovation across space, science, and literature.”
Ahlam Bolooki, CEO, Emirates Literature Foundation, added: “We feel incredibly proud to have Emirati astronauts such as HE Sultan Al Neyadi and Hazzaa Al Mansoori as role models for the children of the Emirates. With this competition, we now have Emirati and expat authors who call the UAE home writing the next generation of epic science fiction. As a Foundation, we are always looking for ways to close gaps in the local publishing industry, and we are deeply grateful to partners like MBRSC who support us in this mission.”
A Thriving Writing Community
This year’s winners also highlighted the strength and interconnectedness of the Emirates Literature Foundation’s creative community. Several awardees had previously participated in the Foundation’s wider programmes, from youth advisory groups and volunteer initiatives to writing platforms such as Homegrown Voices and First Chapter, demonstrating a sustained appetite for writing opportunities and long-term creative engagement in the region.
All About the Competition
Participants were required to submit an original science fiction short story of between 1,500 and 6,500 words in either Arabic or English. Entries were accepted across three age categories: 16–21, 22–30 and 31–40.
Submissions were evaluated by a panel of judges, including Philip Reeve, award-winning author the bestselling Mortal Engines series, Yi-Hwa Hanna, Dubai-based international journalist and writer exploring speculative fiction, science fiction, and human-centred futurism, and Amna Mohamed AlNuaimi, Education and Public Outreach Manager at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, and assessed against the following criteria: originality, scientific grounding, narrative strength, and quality of prose.
The second cycle of the competition will open in summer 2026.
