The International Prize for Mediterranean Documentary and Reportage is an international competition which takes place each year. Its prizes are awarded to audiovisual works – in the field of documentary filmmaking, reporting, and investigative film – that deal with topics and matters that are topical today in the cultural area of the Mediterranean, broadly speaking, ranging from the Atlantic coasts to the shores of the Black Sea.

The purpose of the Prize, now at its 10th year,is to promote the broadcasting of the best quality and most creative audiovisuals, rewarding the originality of the contents and artistic expression of the works submitted.

The Prize is open to all television organizations (public or private), production structures (public, private, and associative), writers, directors, journalists, and documentary filmmakers who, through their works and programmes, promote the knowledge of the Mediterranean and its history, cultures, and traditions. Emphasis is placed on genres dealing with civil matters as well as artistic experimentation.

The intention of the Prize is to promote mutual knowledge and professional exchanges. For this purpose, in order to contribute authentically and effectively to the dialogue and cooperation among the area’s countries, each year a discussion of quality audiovisual creation and production in the Mediterranean region is organized.

HISTORY

The International Prize for Mediterranean Documentary and Reportage was established in Avignon, France, in 1993. It was then held in Monte Carlo in 1994 and 1995. Since 1996 the selection of the works has taken place at the CMCA headquarters in Marseilles, while the final phase of the event is held in Italy: in Palermo from 1996 through 2000, in Soverato in 2002, and in Syracuse in 2003, 2004 and 2005.

Since 2001, the Artistic Director of the Prize has been the CMCA’s General Secretary, Paolo Morawski (RAI – International Strategies).

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The President of Italy, CARLO AZEGLIO CIAMPI, presented a personalized plaque at the 8th edition of the International Prize for Mediterranean Documentary and Reportage. The plaque was presented in Syracuse on 18 April 2003, during the award ceremony closing the event.