The European Television Festival of Religious Programmes, 11-14 June 2014 in Hilversum, Netherlands, is exploring whether religious expression is (still) taking place in public space or whether it has moved behind the front door.
The theme ‘Behind the front door or in plain sight: religion in a pluralist society’ is reflected in the contributions of different speakers and in the selection of programmes that have been made from all corners of Europe.
The event is organised by the international media/communication organisations SIGNIS (World Catholic Association for Communication, Roman Catholic) and WACC (World Association for Christian Communication). Hosts are the Dutch Christian broadcasters KRO-NCRV, RKK, EO and IKON.
The festival, which is held every three years, takes place in the EO-premises. The festive evening when programmes will be awarded, after three days watching and judging, will be in the Dutch Institute for Sound and Vision (Nederlands Instituut voor Beeld en Geluid).
Festival Award
At the end of the festival the best religious programme will be given a prize. Out of the initial 62 entries, 29 were selected. These programmes, all of which will be viewed at the festival, cover topics from various religious traditions and worldviews. The programmes come from ten different European countries, broadcast by many national channels.
Keynotes
The theme of the festival is “Behind the front door or in plain sight: religion in a pluralistic society.” Each day starts with a keynote hour. Theologian Manuela Kalsky of the Free University in Amsterdam and Roger Bolton will speak to the theme. The third day a panel of young people will give their views on the future: Roderick Vonhögen, Monique Samuel and Hassnae Bouazza, under the guidance of TV presenter and theologian Jacobine Geel.
Participants
Among the approximately 80 participants are producers, programmers and editors from all over Europe. The festival programme provides plenty of time for exchange of best practices and expertise.
18th festival
The festival will be held for the eighteenth time. The first time was in 1969, in Monte Carlo, the most recent edition took place in Berlin (2010). The core of the festival organisation are always WACC Europe and SIGNIS Europe, each edition in cooperation with local broadcasters.
The working language of the festival is English.
More information and registration: www.signis-WACC-tvfestival.eu
Editors Note: Anglican Communion members around the world are members of the World Association of Christian Communicators