DELTA STATE PREPARES FOR TV / RADIO FESTIVAL

By NBF News

•Gov. Uduaghan
http://sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/showtime/index.htm

The Delta State government has vowed to rapidly develop tourism infrastructure in the state, especially in Asaba, the State's capital. And to achieve this laudable vision, the governor Uduaghan-led State is working in collaboration with the Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria (BON) and a non-governmental organization, INTARA, to host a Television and Radio Festival and Awards soon.

The event is scheduled to hold between December 1 and 4, 2010. Popular actor and Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in the State - Mr. Richard Mofe Damijo, while confirming the State's interest in the coming event said.

'For the first time in 50 years of Television and Radio broadcasting in Nigeria, independent producers, writers, directors, broadcasters, journalists and other industry professionals involved in the business of television and radio programmes from around Nigeria and the world will have cause to celebrate in an epoch making event the best in the television and radio broadcast industry. Broadcasters will come to Asaba to attend the intimate and accessible 4-day festival and awards.'

As a showcase of innovation and standards, INTARA TVRF and Awards 2010, will feature production seminars, pitching opportunities, new media sessions, master classes and social events all devoted to innovation and excellence in content creation. As a celebration of excellence, the INTARA Television and Radio Festival will equally administer the Nation's Television Awards and Nation's Radio Awards competition for Nigeria's best television and radio programmes. The festival has been designed to be 'a marketplace of ideas and relationships,' said one of the organizers.

Opportunities to strike production and co-production deals abound and new business contacts are expected to be made according to Mike Okhai, Festival Director. The INTARA TVRF and Awards schedule will feature many hours of workshops, plenary sessions, master classes, and other inventively formatted meetings designed to appeal to both the most sophisticated and experienced practitioners as well as new ones.

The Festival, which is to be an annual celebration of excellence, includes the presentation of its awards for exceptional creative and technical achievements via its Radio Awards and Television Awards ceremonies. There are 28 categories inclusive of one special award in the Radio category.

Producers of programmes judged best in each of the diversified broad categories in the Television Awards will receive the awards trophy and certificates. The television programme competition categories recognize excellence across five major broad categories (TV Programme/Series, Performance, Technical, Creative, Commercials and Special Achievements).

The INTARA TVRF apart from being hosted by Delta State is being staged by the International Network for Television and Radio Advancement (INTARA) in partnership with the Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria (BON). It has equally been endorsed by the Independent Television and Radio Programme Producers Association of Nigeria (INTARRPAN) and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC). Some of their partners include, International Energy Insurance Plc (IEI), Consolidated Estates Building Society Limited, Osigwe Anyiam-Osigwe Foundation and Rohan Marine Limited.