Television and radio programming deals are signed and sealed long before they are aired. Kamal Sultan takes a sneak preview of this year's titles The Cairo Arab Media Festival is where television producers and drama moguls go to promote their merchandise, which ranges from the latest soap operas to chat shows and variety performances. It used to be called the Cairo Radio and Television Festival before the organisers changed its name three years ago. The first festival was held on 10 July 1995 and lasted for eight days. The event was initially confined to television productions, but was later expanded to include radio entries. Think of it as Egypt's answer to the Emmy Awards. In the early years, the winning entries used to get non-financial trophies, but now monetary awards are common. Encouraging excellence in radio and television production, the festival has been particularly supportive of Syrian and Gulf drama productions, now believed to be on par with the Egyptian. Besides, the event has turned out to be a convenient occasion for marketing. As broadcast companies shop for hit shows, artists from across the Arab world get to meet and new friendships often turn into durable business propositions. The 15th festival is scheduled to be held at the Media Production City in Cairo from 11 to 15 November. Eighteen countries, seven of which are non-Arab, have entered radio and television programmes in the contest. This year's festival sponsors the Naguib Mahfouz Competition for the best television and radio scripts. Anas El-Fiqi, the minister of information, is expected to inaugurate the event, which will be hosted by the veteran radio presenter Fahmi Omar. The opening ceremony will feature a musical starring singers Gannat, Carol Samaha, Marwan Khuri, Khaled Selim, Haitham Shaker and Rehab Motawea. The musical, written by Gamal Bakhit and directed by Ahmed Taha, tells a story inspired by the biblical account of Adam and Eve and features a song, Alam Wahed (One World), that envisions a return to the lost paradise. With 67 radio and 238 television shows, Egypt leads other participants in terms of the sheer number of entries. Syria is next with 17 radio and 44 television shows. Jordan has submitted nine radio and 32 television shows, plus an entry in the Naguib Mahfouz contest. Tunisia has sent 17 radio and 18 television shows, with one entry in the Mahfouz category. Saudi Arabia has entered 16 radio and six television shows; Sudan 10 radio and seven television shows; the Emirates four radio and six television shows; Algeria four radio shows; Kuwait four radio and nine television shows; Libya four television shows; Palestine 10 television shows; Lebanon 12 radio and six television shows; Oman seven radio shows; Qatar six radio and five television shows; and Iraq two radio and six television shows. In the category of historical television series, Egypt has submitted Adham Al-Sharqawi (Anti-Colonial Folk Hero); Sadaq Waadoh (He Kept His Promise) and Abu Dehka Genan (On the Life of Comedian Ismail Yassin). In the category of social soap operas; Egypt has entered the shows Al-Rajul Wal Tariq (Man On the Road); Waad Mesh Maktoub (Unwritten Promise); Hanem Bent Basha (The Pasha's Daughter); Al-Batniya (a district in Cairo formerly known for its drug trade); Qatel Bela Agr (Unpaid Killer); Al-Masrawiya (The Egyptians); Ganna wa Nar (Paradise and Hell); Matkhafush (Don't be Scared); Alashan Malish Gheirak (Because You're My One and Only); and Layali (Nights). Egyptian entries for sitcoms are Karima Karima ; Ragel we Sett Settat (Man and Six Women); Al-Donya Lonha Bambi (Life in Rose); Haqqi Berqabti (Bailing Out); and Tager Al-Saadah (Merchant of Joy). Finally, Egypt has submitted the radio shows Ahlam Al-Sawalem (Dreams); Alem Raghm Anfu (Scientist against his will); Quyud Naemah (Soft Shackles); La Amleku Illa Nafsi (On My Own); Shomoua Wa Hanin (Candles and Yearning); Al-Zaher Hayy fil Qahera (Al-Zaher is a Cairo Neighbourhood); as well as the chat show Al-Gozur (Roots), in which Omar Sharif speaks about his life and work to young actress Marwa Hussein. Lifetime achievement awards will be given to actors Samir Sabri, Safaa Abul-Saoud, El-Montasir Bellah, television presenter Mahmoud Sultan, television presenter Nagwa Abul-Magd, and the late actors El-Sayed Radi and Shawqi Shamekh.
