The Acting Minister of Media, Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi, inaugurated Wednesday evening the activities of Arab Radio and Television Festival in its 22nd edition under the theme "Media in Shaping World", which will be held for the first time outside Tunisia, the country of headquarters, and exceptionally hosted by Riyadh for four days. The festival was organized by Saudi Broadcasting Authority (SBA) and Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU), in addition to the launch of the Future of Media Exhibition (FOMEX), attended by more than 15,000 participants, 1,000 media professionals from all over the world, and 200 production companies, representing the most important regional and international media organizations and bodies. In his opening speech, Dr. Al-Qasabi announced the launch of the Saudi Initiative to Support Arab Talents "Montag" to stimulate creativity and innovators, and advance the media industry and its advanced technology to reach an Arab media that competes globally. He explained that the festival represents a valuable opportunity and a promising platform for consultation and acquaintance, coordinating efforts and facing challenges to create an influential new Arab media with content worthy of our values, customs and requirements of our societies, pointing out that the Arab Radio and TV Festival, with its history spanning more than 40 years, represents an opportunity to celebrate creators and hone their talents. Dr. Al-Qasabi also indicated that it is time for Arab efforts to join forces to reach an advanced professional media industry that helps deliver the message of the Arab world in a flexible and effective way, expressing his wishes for the success of the festival and to produce outputs that meet the aspirations of our leaders and peoples and befit the requirements of the hour. During the opening ceremony, Dr. Al-Qasabi, with the participation of the CEO of SBA and the President of ASBU, Mohammed Al-Harthi, honored a number of pioneers in the Arab media and cinema industry for their effective contributions to enriching media and artistic content in the Arab world, in addition to honoring a number of honorary guests of the festival in recognition and appreciation of their great career in enriching the Arab world with distinguished works. The agenda of the 22nd edition of the festival will witness the holding of more than 30 workshops and sessions in which all topics related to television and radio production, sports media and stardom will be discussed, in addition to the participation of women and their role in cinema and their issues throughout history, as well as workshops focused on filmmaking and independent media work. Also, the 4-day festival's FOMEX will witness the participation of over 200 member organizations, TV networks, private radio stations, international Arabic-speaking channels, world-renowned manufacturers of technological equipment, production and distribution companies of audiovisual content, and service providers.
