THE 14TH ANNUAL SHORTY AWARDS

The Shorty Awards honor the best of social media and digital. View this season's finalists!

Special Project

Special Project

"أوهام السعادة │ في الحضارة" (Deceptive Joy │ In Civilization)

Finalist in Long Form Video

Objective

The video "Deceptive of Joy"  explores the false promises of happiness in modern civilization, focusing on Egypt where many people seek instant gratification through substance use and drugs, which has become common. The aim is to address how these behaviors are superficial solutions to deeper existential questions. By using credible educational resources, the video seeks to shed light on these societal trends, showing how the pursuit of material wealth or temporary escapes leads to long-term dissatisfaction.

To make the message compelling and accessible, the video opens with a short, engaging scene and employs storytelling techniques to guide the audience through a thought-provoking journey. The goal is to encourage Egyptians, particularly young people, to rethink what happiness truly means and to reflect on their own lives and societal pressures.

explores the false promises of happiness in modern civilization, focusing on Egypt where many people seek instant gratification through substance use, such as hash or weed, which has become common. The aim is to address how these behaviors are superficial solutions to deeper existential questions. By using credible educational resources, the video seeks to shed light on these societal trends, showing how the pursuit of material wealth or temporary escapes leads to long-term dissatisfaction.

To make the message compelling and accessible, the video opens with a short, engaging scene and employs storytelling techniques to guide the audience through a thought-provoking journey. The goal is to encourage Egyptians, particularly young people, to rethink what happiness truly means and to reflect on their own lives and societal pressures.

The video " Deceptive Joy"  explores the false promises of happiness in modern civilization, focusing on Egypt where many people seek instant gratification through substance use and drugs, which has become common. The aim is to address how these behaviors are superficial solutions to deeper existential questions. By using credible educational resources, the video seeks to shed light on these societal trends, showing how the pursuit of material wealth or temporary escapes leads to long-term dissatisfaction.

To make the message compelling and accessible, the video opens with a short, engaging scene and employs storytelling techniques to guide the audience through a thought-provoking journey. The goal is to encourage Egyptians, particularly young people, to rethink what happiness truly means and to reflect on their own lives and societal pressures.

Strategy

The project was brought to life by combining research with storytelling, focusing on relatable issues specific to Egypt. Many Egyptians, especially youth, look for quick escapes from societal pressures, often turning to substances like hash as a temporary fix. This behavior is widespread and normalized, yet little attention is paid to its long-term consequences.

Our strategy was to create a narrative that questioned these quick solutions while promoting a deeper, more sustainable path to happiness. We gathered data from reliable sources on substance use and mental health in Egypt, ensuring the video was grounded in facts. We then crafted a script that reflected local realities while addressing the broader philosophical question of what it means to live a happy life.

The key challenge was balancing heavy educational content with a narrative style that could resonate with the general audience. The solution was to integrate emotional storytelling with factual information, using visuals and relatable scenes to engage viewers and maintain their interest. The video’s local flavor, combined with its universal message, made it relatable to Egyptians while also appealing to a broader audience.

The unique aspect of this project lies in how it addresses a specific problem—substance use and quick fixes for happiness—within the Egyptian context. Through careful storytelling and the use of credible sources, we ensured the message was not only thought-provoking but also deeply relevant to the challenges faced by modern Egyptians.

Results

The video " Deceptive Joy" achieved significant success in raising awareness about societal misconceptions regarding happiness in Egypt. It received over 23K likes and 854comments, many of which reflected on the issue of substance use as an escape from societal pressure. Several viewers shared personal experiences, indicating that the video resonated with their everyday realities.

With over 709,140 views, the video encouraged viewers to reflect on their own definitions of happiness and consider alternatives to quick fixes like hash or material wealth. This engagement proved that the project successfully met its objective of raising awareness and fostering dialogue around an issue that is both locally relevant and universally significant.

Media

Video for "أوهام السعادة │ في الحضارة" (Deceptive Joy │ In Civilization)

Entrant Company / Organization Name

The Post Office, ALARABy TELEVISION NETOWRK

Links

Entry Credits