Film about Zayed Prize won top prize at Webby Awards
A documentary series produced by the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity has won two major honors at the Webby Awards, securing both the main prize and the public vote in the documentary category. Heartbeat of Humanity was awarded the Webby Award, selected by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, as well as the Webby People’s Voice Award, chosen through more than four million public votes, The National reported.
The Heartbeat of Humanity films follow the work of recipients of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity in 2025 and 2026, including Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, who jointly received the 2026 Zayed Award for Human Fraternity for the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace deal. Among those featured are Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, food relief organization World Central Kitchen, teenage innovator Heman Bekele. The series also highlights Palestinian organization Taawon and Afghan education advocate Zarqa Yaftali.
The awards were announced ahead of the 30th annual ceremony, which will take place in New York City on May 11.
Often described as the “Oscars of the internet”, the Webbys recognize excellence across websites, apps and digital media. This year’s competition drew more than 13,000 submissions, with the Zayed Award’s series named among five finalists in a category that has previously honored major organizations including National Geographic, Netflix, The Washington Post and Business Insider.
Produced by Abu Dhabi-based creative group People, the films aim to document humanitarian efforts and promote the values of coexistence and solidarity.
Mohamed Abdelsalam, secretary-general of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, said the recognition underscored the growing role of storytelling in advancing humanitarian values. “This global recognition is an important tribute to the award’s humanitarian mission, which has become an international platform for honoring inspiring models that promote the values of human fraternity around the world,” he said. He added that the win reflected the ability of “sincere and creative storytelling” to resonate across cultures and borders, helping to inspire communities and create tangible impact.
Established in 1996, the Webby Awards are presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, with a judging body comprising industry leaders, creatives and technology experts.