ROME – The 72nd edition of the Prix Italia was presented in Rome, the international review, under the high patronage of the President of the Republic, promoted by RAI, Italian State broadcasting network, since 1948 to present the best of radio, television and web programs from all over the world, with an offering of 250 products from 65 organizations in 38 countries. And the Prix, even in this difficult year, returns to reward its twelve categories, with an edition entitled "Public Service and the Virtual Newsroom: Back to the Future, which, from 24 to 26 September, for the first time since the COVID-19 emergency, physically brings together the representatives of the most important broadcasters in the world at the Maxxi in Rome in order to exchange skills, proposals and experiences.

 During the presentation, the President of RAI, Marcello Foa, stated that it was not at all obvious that one could be here, with "an edition that we strongly wanted and, at least in part, wanted in the presence, in full compliance with all security measures, precisely because it was a sign of confidence in the recovery. A great public service must react to the crisis and in this pandemic RAI has taught other countries. Today we also want to do it in the restart." Starting with the young people and the agreement signed between Foa and the president of the Conference of Rectors of Italian Universities, Ferruccio Resta, to open the doors of the exhibition to university students in the next three years (to them also the honour of a special prize to be awarded).

 "Despite the crisis we have never stopped", stated the general secretary of the Prix Italia, Annalisa Bruchi, presenting the new edition together with the Prix president Graham Ellis and the TV production director, Roberto Cecatto. Indeed, "we had ten new broadcasters registered from eight countries," namely Colombia, Denmark, France, Monaco, United Kingdom, Thailand, Uruguay and Venezuela. "Even if reduced the calendar is very rich: inauguration ceremony,” and then"conferences, reports, previews and an important part dedicated to the YLAB animated by the students of the public universities of Lazio,” On the themes, "many products present tell of the pandemic in the world, also a way to share experiences and solutions". Two Rai productions in the final selection: "La mia jungla" by Rai Fiction (Web Fiction) and "Labanof, bodies without a name from the bottom of the Mediterranean" by Radio3 (Radio Documentary section."

 Among the events, a tribute to Sergio Zavoli with Renzo Arbore, Michele Mirabella and Renato Parascandolo; then, for Rai2 "Fenomeno Ferragni" with Simona Ventura interviewing Chiara Ferragni and for Rai 4 "Stranger Tape In Town" with Ema Stockholma. And again, on the 25th, the Rai Cultura preview of "Sinfonie di Rinascita (2020)", broadcast on Rai5, and the Rai Fiction "Io ti cercherò" with Alessandro Gassmann. While on the 26th for "Sapiens. One planet" Rai3 presents the episode "Life from fire - Stories of men and volcanoes" by Mario Tozzi and Rai Cinema the film "The Rossellinis," from the 77th Venice Film Festival. The announcement of the names of the winners is expected during the ceremony on 25 September at MAXXI, also visible in streaming and translated into sign language on www.prixitalia.rai.it.

 After the lockdown, the mayor of the capital Virginia Raggi also commented, speaking at the presentation, "our ability to adapt is emerging. Rome was the first city of the 100 Resilient Cities project. Excellent Prix Italia in presence, excellent exploitation of technologies and new forms of connection. This pandemic has acted as a catalyst for many transformations that previously we only heard about and that now, finally, we see in progress "and concluded by formulating" congratulations to everyone and thanks for deciding to organize this event, for Rome it is an honour to host the Prix Italia. It represents the ability to move forward in the face of this cursed virus that has blocked the whole world."

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