The application deadline for Shining Star 2025 – a children’s singing competition organized by Sun Siyam Media’s SSTV and the Time Academy of Performing Arts – has been extended until September 15th.
Applications for the competition, set to begin on November 12th, opened on July 26th. As of the initial deadline on Sunday, a large number of entries had already been received. However, due to continued interest and ongoing requests to participate, the organizers have decided to extend the application deadline to September 15th.
Applications can be submitted via SMS: type SS [space] and the participant’s name and age to 2747. Upon SMS registration, SSTV will contact participants for further information.
An administrative fee of MVR 500 per child will be charged to participate in the competition.
The age cap for senior group in the competition has been expanded to allow those aged 18 but under the age of 19 as of January 1, 2025, to participate.
According to the organizers, the purpose of this change is to offer opportunities to schoolchildren whose graduation got delayed due to the closure of schools during the Covid-19 pandemic.
In response to numerous requests from parents, the organizers have introduced a new age category for the competition, allowing children aged 3 to under 6 as of January 1, 2025, to participate in a dedicated nursery group. This update now enables children aged 3 to 4 to take part in the event.
Children participating from Male’ City, Hulhumale’ and Vilimale’ will be required to present their performance live on stage at the event venue. But children outside the greater Male’ area who do not wish to travel to the capital for the performance can submit a video recording of their performance via the designated portal. These video submissions must comply with standards set by the event organizers, the details of which will be provided at a later date.
The Shining Star 2025 offers a much-needed platform for aspiring singers to showcase their talents, at a time when there are no competitive singing competitions of this scale for school-aged children.
The Time Academy is also preparing to hold online sessions for basic vocal training for participants of the competition.
The Shining Star 2025, which uses different standards and policies for judging than usually used in such signing competition, and has additional segments to boost interest, will be aired live via SSTV and SunPlay app. All performances will also be shared by Sun Siyam Media via its various platforms.