· The Opening Ceremony
The Festival’s Opening was distinguished by the presence of a group of prominent figures. The event was attended by ministers of media and culture from Arab countries, delegations from ASBU member corporations, representatives of regional and international radio unions and professional organizations, as well as several Arab ambassadors. Additionally, prominent stars from Arab television, radio, and cinema, along with notable Arab media personalities, were also present.
The opening ceremony began with honoring the Festival's guests of honor from Arab screen stars, including creators from Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, and Sudan. The new edition of the festival also honored several prominent officials in the media sector in recognition of their efforts in serving this sector.
These events highlight the Festival's importance as a platform for cultural exchange and communication among Arab countries, reflecting its prominent role in enhancing friendship and cultural understanding among peoples.
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· The Opening of ASBU Broadcast Convention & Programmes Market at the City of Culture
The second day of the Festival was highlighted by the opening of ASBU Broadcast Convention & Programmes Market at the City of Culture.
Visitors explored the exhibition stands, where they encountered the newest advancements in advanced technology and state-of-the-art equipment pertaining to the audiovisual industry.
The exhibition, featuring 90 exhibitors distributed across 98 booths, provides participants with an opportunity to showcase their latest innovations across various sectors. It allows Festival guests and visitors to stay updated on advancements in audiovisual equipment.
Furthermore, it offers production companies a chance to introduce their latest productions and create marketing opportunities.
· Conference: Media in War or War on Media: Palestine Case Study”
A conference titled “Media in War or War on Media: Palestine Case Study” was held, embodying the theme of this session, "Supporting Palestine. It presented alarming facts about the deliberate targeting that media faces from Israeli occupying forces.
· China Seminar: China-Arab States Cooperation Forum in the Field of Audio-Visual Media
The forum witnessed a prominent attendance and warm reception from both participants and the audience. In his opening speech, Chinese Vice Minister Dong Xin expressed deep appreciation for the invitation to participate in this significant event. He emphasized the importance of communication and cooperation between Chinese and Arab media, highlighting that culture and media serve as bridges for mutual understanding and fostering friendships between peoples.
· Conference: Stardom in the Digital Sphere and Its Impact on Public Opinion
One of the highlights of the third day of the festival was a seminar titled "Stardom in the Digital Sphere and Its Impact on Public Opinion," which featured the famous Egyptian content creator and influencer Ahmed El-Ghandour. The speakers discussed the importance of leading figures in the digital space and their role in shaping public opinion, positively guiding interactions, and enriching important discussions in the modern digital world.
· Conference: AI powered Audience Engagement: Leveraging Advanced Technologies for Content Discovery and Personalization.
Several international experts provided a comprehensive overview of how modern technologies can be used to analyze audience behavior and customize content to match their rapidly changing interests. The seminar highlighted new innovations in the field of artificial intelligence and how they can enhance audience experience and increase their engagement with global media content.
· Presentation of News and Programmes Exchanges Awards+ Honoring jury representatives
The awards ceremony for the judging panels and the distribution of prizes for news and program exchanges in radio and television took place at the City of Culture on the penultimate day of the festival, drawing an outstanding attendance.
An agreement was signed between the Arab States Broadcasting Union, Arabsat, and GLOBECAST to renew the agreement for THE STANDARD ARABIC GLOBAL BOUQUET (Arab satellite channels) via satellites in various regions of the world, including Africa, Asia, Australia, North America, and South America. The agreement also includes internet broadcasting services and OTT services in key locations for Europe and America.
· The Closing Ceremony
The 24th Arab Radio and Television Festival wrapped up with the Radio and Television Awards ceremony and the "Rouh el Arab " show, one of the Festival's most notable events. The show aims to revive Arab musical heritage in a contemporary orchestral style. It combines traditional Arab musical traditions with modern Western instruments, presenting the most famous Arab songs with innovative orchestral arrangements. Artists and musicians from 11 Arab countries took part in the show, adding a diverse cultural and musical character.
· New Media Competition
For the first time in the Festival's history, a special competition was organized to encourage radio productions primarily aimed at social media audiences. This competition focused on the theme of "Awareness Productions in the Field of Environment and Climate."
· Arab States Broadcasting Union / TVU Networks
The partnership agreement between the Arab States Broadcasting Union and TVU Networks represents a significant strategic step towards enhancing technological integration and improving television broadcast quality. Additionally, it aims to develop media exchange over the internet. The agreement also seeks to facilitate the efficient and cost-effective integration of advanced technological solutions for television networks, thereby strengthening the Arab media position on the global stage.
· Arab States Broadcasting Union / Online Pavilion China
This agreement represents a significant step towards enhancing mutual understanding and constructive cooperation between Arab countries and China, opening broad prospects for cultural exchange and mutual awareness. In this context, Mr. Cao Qinghui, Representative of China Pavilion Online, Deputy Division Director of the Planning and Development Administrative Bureau, NRTA, emphasized that the agreement aims to highlight the rich culture and history of both parties. Both parties will mutually recommend television stakeholders to participate in the award contests, and CPO will actively recommend broadcasters and production companies to participate in the corresponding contests of the Arab Radio and TV Festival. In addition, CPO will release promotional information, news updates, and award-winning programmes’ trailers for the Arab Radio and TV Festival on the platform, providing online promotional support for the Arab Radio and TV Festival; CPO will also leverage its platform advantages to provide online advertising space, promotion resources, etc. for the Arab Radio and TV Festival, and enhance its influence. Last but ,not least, both parties will also jointly plan and organize online and offline media activities, such as online seminars, interviews, offline forums, etc., establish a regular communication mechanism, and enhance the effectiveness of media cooperation between the two parties.
