Prix Italia 2026 – 78th edition
19 broadcasters from 17 countries reach the finals of the 78th edition.
From radio and television to digital storytelling, the international competition brings together some of the most distinctive productions from across the global media landscape.
The darker side of digital technology, participatory journalism, fiction built around complex moral choices, contemporary reinterpretations of controversial historical figures, the recovery of memory, and the relationship between humanity and nature explored through technology: these are some of the themes emerging from the productions selected by the international juries for the finals of the 78th Prix Italia.
Taking place in L’Aquila from September 28 to October 2, this year’s edition brings together finalists across Radio & Podcast, Television and Digital, selected from 226 programmes submitted by 52 countries.
The 2026 competition marks a new level of international diversity for Prix Italia, with 19 broadcasters from 17 countries reaching the final stage.
Five broadcasters are appearing among the finalists for the first time: RTP Portugal, SRR Romania, LRT Lithuania, NACB South Korea and Sky Italia.
The selection reflects a broad spectrum of cultures, creative traditions and perspectives, while also highlighting the continuing vitality of established broadcasters and their ability to adapt to a rapidly changing media landscape, rethink formats and renew the Public Service mission with creativity, relevance and ethical responsibility.
Among the productions attracting particular attention is Rai’s “Techegram”, shortlisted in Digital Multimedia. Hosted by Fabrizio Biggio and developed by Rai’s Digital and Transmedia Content Department, the format reinterprets the vast historical heritage of the Rai Archives through a contemporary language aimed at younger and social-media audiences.
It will compete in the same category with RTVE’s investigation into the manosphere and Germany’s ARD production “Game Jam – Classical Edition”, which brings video-game developers together with a symphony orchestra in an unusual creative marathon.
“The Prix’s strategic choice, now in place for four editions, to host face-to-face meetings open to the public has proven to be more insightful than ever,” says Prix Italia Secretary General Chiara Longo Bifano. “The presence of the finalists at the festival, to meet the judges, the public, and a large representation of students from local universities, does not limit the event to the official task of awarding a prize for quality, but transforms it into a place of encounter and exchange, where it is possible to listen to stories and learn directly from the protagonists. Creativity and excellence will come from all over the world to visit us in L’Aquila, while many of the finalist programmes will be available to the public on the RaiPlay digital platform.”
The Television section features several high-profile productions, including Sky’s acclaimed “M. Son of the Century” in TV Drama and France Télévisions’ “L’affaire Laura Stern”, which arrives at Prix Italia following strong critical recognition and an award at last year’s La Rochelle festival.
The highly anticipated Performing Arts category includes two archive-based documentaries devoted to Oliviero Toscani and Hildegard Knef, alongside LRT Lithuania’s innovative “The Sky Builder”, which combines orchestral music, contemporary dance, theatre and cutting-edge projection technology.
In Digital Factual, the BBC reaches the final with James Blake’s widely discussed “Men of the Manosphere”.
The Radio section once again demonstrates the strength of European public-service production, with ARTE France returning in documentary and Czech Radio in music after winning their respective categories last year. Romanian Radio is also represented in Drama by “Culprits”, the latest work by playwright Ilinca Stihi.
Among the Digital finalists, ARTE France’s “Wednesday”, a narrative video game created by award-winning Pierre Corbinais, has already generated considerable interest.
Together, the finalists underline the extraordinary range of contemporary international broadcasting: from traditional radio and television to interactive formats, gaming and transmedia storytelling.
Many finalist productions will also be available to the public through RaiPlay, extending the Prix Italia experience beyond L’Aquila and giving audiences the opportunity to discover some of the most distinctive productions in this year’s competition.
The winners of the 78th Prix Italia will be announced in L’Aquila on October 2.
The complete lists of finalist programmes are available on the Prix Italia website.
The Prix Italia is part of the programme for L’Aquila, Capital of Culture 2026, and is promoted and supported by the Municipality of L’Aquila and the Abruzzo Region, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
