Dubai: The Dubai Press Club (DPC) today unveiled the agenda for the fifth edition of the Dubai PodFest, being held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council. The region’s largest annual gathering of podcasters will take place on 30th September, 2025, at the Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre.
According to Emirates News Agency, the event will bring together prominent podcasters, audio content creators, experts, and leading regional and global organisations in the industry to explore the future of the sector and unlock new opportunities for growth. The event coincides with International Podcast Day, a global celebration of the power and widespread influence of podcasts.
Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council and President of the Dubai Press Club, welcomed all speakers and participants, noting that Dubai PodFest was launched five years ago by DPC as part of its ongoing efforts to keep pace with major developments in the Arab media landscape and to strengthen the ability of media organisations to succeed and grow.
Maryam Al Mulla, Director of the Dubai Press Club, said the agenda reflects Dubai’s position as a platform for creativity and a centre for media development. She underlined that the event seeks not only to respond to changes but also to help shape the future of podcasting.
Al Mulla added that Dubai PodFest highlights how creators can leverage technology, data, and partnerships to strengthen their content and expand its influence. The event builds on Dubai’s vision to drive innovation across emerging media, empowering Arab talent to take their ideas global.
Mahfoudha Abdullah, Project Manager of Dubai PodFest, said the fifth edition was designed to widen dialogue and create a dynamic learning environment. She noted that alongside the main stage, the event will include a broad range of practical workshops led by experts and specialists from leading platforms, aiming to bring the audience closer to real success stories and provide hands-on tips to overcome challenges from production to monetisation.
Dubai PodFest 2025 will open with a keynote session titled ‘The Future of Podcast Monetisation’, featuring Bryan Barletta, President of Podcast Movement, in conversation with Stefano Fallaha, Founder and CEO of Podeo. The session will examine the economic fundamentals of podcasting, spotlighting innovative revenue models that support creative longevity, exploring how monetisation strategies can elevate content quality and expand audience reach.
The economic dimension continues with a session titled ‘Podcast Advertising – Unlocking Value for Brands and Audiences’, featuring industry experts discussing the maturing Arabic advertising market and the creative approaches needed to build lasting commercial confidence.
Other sessions will explore topics such as the distinctive qualities of podcasting, the rise of streaming platforms, the impact of real-time broadcasting, and the choice between independent and platform podcasting. Notably, a session titled ‘Raising Health Awareness through Podcasting’ will focus on the role of podcasts in addressing mental health topics, while ‘Inspiring Stories from the Arab World’ will spotlight creative success stories from the region.
The event will conclude with a session titled ‘Art and Creativity in Sound and Visual Media’, offering a reflective dialogue on the podcasting journey and its broader creative impact.