Dubai: Mangalorean Jerusha Sequeira Wins DIFF Young Journalist Award

Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai

Dubai, Dec 18: Mangalore girl Jerusha Sequeira of American University of Sharjah has won the Young Journalist Award 2012 instituted by the Dubai International Film Festival (Diff) as part of its commitment to train the next generation of film writers and critics in the region.

Jerusha beat eight other finalists who were shortlisted from among applicants from around the UAE.

Jerusha is the daughter of Mary and William Sequeira from Suratkal, Mangalore, currently residing in Dubai. Sequeira is a well-known Mangalorean businessman in Dubai with decades of strong presence and experience in shipping line.

Born and brought up in Dubai, Jerusha did her schooling in Indian High School, Dubai and is now pursuing her BA in Mass Media and Communications from American University of Sharjah.

As a budding journalist, Jerusha already has a string of honours to her credit. She is the associate editor of The Leopard - AUS official student-produced newsletter, and member of Gulf News Readers Club, having taken part in many online debates of Gulf News. She is also the executive member of Karama Toastmasters Club.

Jerusha has a younger sibling Joel studying in St Mary's School, Dubai.

The nine finalists for the award were Areeb Adbaullah Al Shathri and ‘Jerusha Sequeira of American University of Sharjah; Maha El Adaway, Nupur Jaisinghani, and Tahira Mehmood of Middlesex University; Aisha Yaqub of Murdoch University; and Srijita Chattopadhyay, Danielle Ferns, and Epitacio Lopes of Manipal University.

The students were mentored by Colin Brown, a former editor of the prestigious trade publication Screen International, contributing editor to CNBC Business, and editorial director of Slated, a newly-launched online marketplace for accredited investors to track and back independent film projects.