A number of leading actors, filmmakers, screenwriters, creative crews and musicians from across the Arab world are in Bahrain to attend the 12th Gulf Radio and Television Festival.

The star-studded event was officially launched at Bahrain University, Sakhir, by Information Affairs Authority (IAA) president Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa in the presence of media figures from across the region.

The festival features screening of regional films and television productions, musical festivals and workshops and lectures conducted by the industry's leading actors and producers.

An awards ceremony will also be held to honour the best in the industry and six achievement awards will be given out.

Organisers said several key memorandums of understanding are expected to be signed during the four-day festival as more than 1,000 delegates and about 65 companies are expected to take part.

"The festival first started in 1980 in Kuwait and thereafter Bahrain has been its base to bring together radio and television production teams and actors from the Gulf and Arab region," said Saudi-based Gulf Radio and TV Organisation director-general Dr Abdullah Aburas.

Dr Aburas was speaking at a Press conference yesterday at the Gulf Hotel to announce details of the festival.

He said a contest has been planned in which television and radio productions and films will be judged in 13 categories including drama and sports.

"We have 51 judges from GCC countries who will review programmes, films and other works submitted for the festival," he added.

"We are also expecting production and media companies to sign some key contracts during this festival, which also features about 100 actors from Gulf and Arab region."

An arbitration panel has also been set up with six members, one from each GCC country - except Yemen who did not put forward a nominee. They will be honoured for their achievements in the industry during the festival.

The first among a series of events is a workshop on radio and television production at 11am at Gulf Hotel today, followed by the opening ceremony at the university at 9pm.

The following day will consist of a workshop about joint GCC media strategy at 11am at the hotel and Thursday will include a workshop about modern media vs traditional media at 11am at the hotel.

Other events will be held at the university's Shaikh Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Hall during the four days, while the closing ceremony will be on Friday at the university.-TradeArabia News Service