Prix Italia

The Prix Italia is an international Italian television, radio-broadcasting and website award. It was established in 1948 by RAI – Radiotelevisione Italiana (in 1948, RAI had the denomination RAI – Radio Audizioni Italiane) in Capri. Eighty seven public and private radio and television organizations representing 46 countries from the five continents form and outline the community of the Prix Italia which is in continuous evolution. Unique in the world, among International festivals and prizes, it is the organizational and decision-making body of the Prix. The delegates decide and resolve the editorial outline and elect the President.

RAI is in charge and responsible of the organization of the manifestation, and the General Secretariat has its headquarters in Rome. Prix Italia is held in an Italian city of art and culture annually every September for a week, in collaboration with local authorities. The event is an authentic and unique moment of congregation and professional comparison on the quality of the programmes. It is the right venue where one can collaborate and define agreements and exchange points of view.

The public participates in the concerts, films, shows, previews, round tables, "all night out", master classes, and radio and web events. Thanks to the "on demand" position everyone can listen and watch all the best worldwide programmes in competition.

The drive for quality and responsibility of the Prix Italia resulted in Unda (The International Catholic organisation for Radio and Television) having its own jury for the first time in Ravenna where the Prix Italia in 1997 was held. The three-member jury consisted of Victor Sunderaj, Secretary General of Unda, John McDonald, producer for Scottish Television, and Rita Lefevere, producer for Belgian Radio and Television (BRTN). The goal of this jury was the rewardion of a television programme that supported human dignity. The first award of Unda was given to the producers of Child Molesters: On the Trail of Sex Offenders. "The producers achieved more than the mere promotion of human dignity: they fought for it", explained the Unda jury in its motivation. Since 2002, the Unda jury has been changed into the SIGNIS jury.