Meknes Drama Festival held under the patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco recognized Abu Dhabi Media as the fastest growing and the most diverse media and entertainment organization in the Arab region making it a role model in the media industry in terms of offering innovative, responsible and purposeful media content that addresses different segments of the audience at the local, regional and international levels.  

Director of the Festival Mahmoud Belhassan, President of the organizing Society of Free Display, presented certificates of appreciation and memorial shields to the delegation of Abu Dhabi Media consisting of Dr. Ali Bin Tamim, General Manager and several ADM officials and executive directors as well as Emirati artists and producers.      

Presided by Mohammed Al Ashari, former Moroccan Ministry of Culture, the festival judge panel lauded the high artistic and intellectual level of Arabic historical drama ‘Samarkand’ produced by Abu Dhabi Media in 2016. ‘Samarkand’ was given an award in the closing event of the festival. The award was handed over to Mr. Abdulrheem Al Bateeh, Director of Communications and Government Relations of Abu Dhabi Media.

Critics and festival attendees have referred to a ‘Samarkand’ as an integrated cultural and artistic work in an interesting and exciting drama production. The tension builds up dramatically in a game of two conflicting powers: the power of life and love vs. the power of death and hatred. According to them, the content of the series has championed the noble human values among the world, reproducing a historic material in a more modern format.  

Critics and festival attendees have praised ADM for such huge production that reflects ADM's understanding of the drama function as a cultural medium in addition to its role in entertainment. 

Mekns festival is one of the main events in the Arab Drama industry and a chance for the audience to meet the drama makers and get involved in a serious discussion on drama. This edition had many participants including the US as a guest of honor, France, Jordan, Senegal, Cote d' Ivoire, Poland, Sultanate of Oman, Kuwait, Morocco (the host) and the UAE.