25th Arab Radio and Television Festival Kicks Off in Tunisia
The preparations for the 25th Arab Radio and Television Festival were officially kicked off on Thursday, June 19, during a press conference held at the Medina Yasmine Hammamet. Organized by the Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU), the festival will take place from June 23 to 25, 2025, in Tunis and Hammamet, under the evocative theme "Convergence and Creativity Space."
44th Anniversary of the Festival
This edition will also mark the 44th anniversary of the festival, which has become an unmissable event in the Arab audiovisual landscape since its creation in 1981. The event is organized in collaboration with the Tunisian Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Tunisian public radio and television establishments, and Arabsat.
Concerts, Competitions, and Technologies in the Spotlight
The festival will kick off with a concert by Saber Rebai at the Roman Amphitheater of Carthage, while the closing ceremony will take place at the Tunis Opera House, featuring Karim Thlibi, with the announcement of the winners. The latter will present a show inspired by Arab heritage, accompanied by the Tunisian Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Mehdi Mimouni.
Parallel Events
In parallel, the Medina Yasmine Hammamet will host the Technology Salon, showcasing the latest equipment in the audiovisual sector. Thematic seminars will address the future of media in the era of artificial intelligence, Arab drama production, and media dedicated to children.
**Nearly 300 Audiovisual Works in Competition
The festival features four competitions, two official and two parallel, with a total budget of $97,000. A total of 299 works have been selected, including 145 radio productions and 154 television productions.
Radio and Television Competitions
On the radio side, 109 channels are participating in the official competition, and 36 in the parallel competition. Among them, 14 ASBU members and 14 international private channels broadcasting in Arabic. On the TV side, 107 works are competing in the official section, and 47 in the parallel section, represented by 17 ASBU member establishments, 9 satellite channels, and 20 production companies.
International Participation
Non-Arab societies producing content in Arabic are also invited to participate, testifying to the festival's openness to international professionals.**
**A Tradition of Cooperation and Innovation
Since 2015, the festival has become an annual event, aiming to strengthen inter-Arab cooperation in the audiovisual sector, while promoting excellence and innovation. This year's theme reflects the desire to open new horizons for Arab media, both in terms of content and format."
Emblematic Figures and Regional Reach
The festival pays tribute to outstanding personalities in the Arab audiovisual world. In 2025, Donia Chaouch (Tunisia), Sonia Mrissi (Yemen), Rania Sirouti (Algeria), and Abderrachid Moheddine Kalmoy (Somalia) will be honored.
Renowned Artists and Actresses
The event will also feature renowned artists, including Hamada Helal (Egypt), Sami Kaftan (Iraq), and several Arab actresses such as May Omar, Jiana Aneed, Rania Ismail, and Julia Kassar.
Live Broadcast and Regional Reach
The opening ceremony will be broadcast live on several television channels and Arab radio stations, public and private, confirming the festival's regional impact as a cultural dialogue platform and a driving force for media development in the Arab world.
