Submissions Are Open for the 17th TRT International Documentary Awards

23 January 2026

Submissions Are Open for the 17th TRT International Documentary Awards

The 17th edition of the TRT International Documentary Awards returns this year, once again bringing powerful stories about people, nature, life, and history to audiences around the world.

In line with its mission to support documentary storytelling, the competition is open not only to completed films that meet the entry requirements but also to projects still in the idea or story stage that have not yet entered production. Detailed information about the competition rules, schedule, awards, and application guidelines can be found at www.trtbelgesel.com/en

Participation is entirely free of charge.

Awards will be presented across four categories: International Category, National Professional Category, National Student Films Category, and Project Development Category. In total, 12 awards will be granted to outstanding works.

The deadline for submissions is 3 April 2026, with the results of the preliminary selection to be announced on 10 April 2026.

Jury evaluations will take place between 4-7 June 2026, and the winners will be honored at the official award ceremony on 7 June 2026.

AIB publishes new member briefing on social media, disinformation and trust in news

15 January 2026

AIB publishes new member briefing on social media, disinformation and trust in news

The Association for International Broadcasting has published a new member-only briefing, Social Danger?, examining the implications of the continuing shift towards social media as a primary source of news and information.

The briefing has been produced in response to growing concern across the international media community about the scale, sophistication and impact of disinformation, fake social media accounts and coordinated influence operations — and the challenges these pose for trusted news organisations.

Rather than focusing on individual incidents or claims, the briefing provides strategic context and operational insight into how social media environments shape audience behaviour, how false narratives are embedded and amplified, and why professional journalism faces a structural disadvantage inside algorithmically driven feeds.

What the briefing covers

Without revealing specific findings, the briefing explores:

How changes in news consumption behaviour are affecting audience trust and scrutiny
Why social platforms can unintentionally favour misinformation and emotional content
The growing role of coordinated fake accounts and influence operations in exploiting social media dynamics
The implications for international broadcasters, public service media and funders

Importantly, the briefing is designed as a working reference document, not a one-off read. It includes:

A paired risk–mitigation matrix, helping organisations assess editorial, strategic, geopolitical and reputational risks and map them to practical responses
A directory of investigative organisations and reference points, enabling members to track and verify future developments in this area

Why this matters

For broadcasters, the issues addressed in Social Danger? go well beyond social media strategy. They affect:

Editorial integrity and brand trust
Strategic planning and risk management
Engagement with regulators, funders and policymakers
The long-term sustainability of public-interest journalism

Accessing the briefing

Social Danger? is available exclusively to AIB members as part of the Association’s programme of practical briefings and industry support.

Non-members who would like to learn more about the briefing, or about AIB membership and its benefits, are invited to contact the AIB Secretariat at contactaib@aib.org.uk.

France 24 launches video competition about Europe – open to young people

15 January 2026

France 24 launches video competition about Europe – open to young people

In partnership with the European Parliament and the European Commission

France 24 is launching a video competition open to high school students, university students, and students enrolled in journalism or audiovisual schools in France and across Europe, with the aim of giving a voice to the younger generation on Europe. Participants are invited to submit an original video lasting between one and four minutes, in English or French, expressing their perspective on contemporary Europe, including its values, challenges, and realities.

Two themes to choose from:

A cohesive Europe (solidarity between regions)
Fake news about Europe and the European Parliament

This competition welcomes a wide range of styles, including news reports, documentaries, short films, and interviews, among others. Submissions are open until May 4, 2026.

A jury, composed of prominent European figures, representatives of European institutions in Paris, as well as Caroline de Camaret, Europe Editor-in-Chief of France 24, and Armen Georgian, Europe editor at France 24, will award three prizes in each of the themes, for a total of six:

The High School Student Prize;
The University Student Prize, open to students from universities, audiovisual schools, and BTS/IUT programmes;
and the Expert Prize, dedicated to students enrolled in journalism schools.

The winners will be invited to attend the awards ceremony at Europa Experience in Paris and to spend a day behind the scenes at the France 24 newsroom. A feature will be produced about them, and their winning videos will be broadcast on France 24 as part of the programmes ‘Europe Rendevous’ in English and ‘Aux 4 Coins de l’Europe’ in French.

Registration details and full competition rules:

FRANCE 24 launches a major video competition about Europe, open to young people! – France 24

[Source: France 24 press release]

TRT has officially opened applications for 12 Punto 2026

15 January 2026

TRT has officially opened applications for 12 Punto 2026

TRT Opens Applications for 12 Punto 2026, Türkiye’s Leading Script Development and Co-Production Platform

TRT has officially opened applications for 12 Punto 2026, Türkiye’s largest script development and co-production platform, to be held for the eighth time this year. Applications will be accepted from January 12 to February 12, 2026.

Designed to support strong and original film scripts, foster international success, and connect emerging talents with experienced filmmakers, 12 Punto 2026 is open to feature-length and short film projects with a Turkish main producer, as well as international feature film projects with a minority Turkish co-producer.

International Co-Productions with Turkish Partners

International feature film projects with a minority Turkish co-producer are eligible to apply for the TRT International Co-Production Award, with submissions made by the Turkish co-producer. Through this award, 12 Punto continues to strengthen the global presence of Turkish cinema.

Previous award-winning projects have achieved notable international success, premiering and competing at major festivals such as Venice, Berlin, Locarno, Sundance, Sarajevo, and Antalya, and earning multiple international awards.

Awards for Turkish Feature and Short Film Projects

Turkish feature film projects will be evaluated by a five-member pre-jury of directors, producers, and screenwriters, who will select 12 finalist projects. Following script development sessions and pitching consultations with leading mentors, the finalists will present their projects to an international jury. The jury will award three TRT Co-Production Awards and three TRT Pre-Buy Awards.

Turkish short film projects are also eligible to apply. Six short film projects will be selected to participate in script consultancy sessions with top mentors.

A Platform with Growing Global Reach

In 2025, 12 Punto received 427 applications, including 110 feature-length and 317 short film projects, from both Turkish and international categories. Each year, the platform hosts an international jury composed of prominent figures from world cinema. The 2025 jury included acclaimed director Andrey Zvyagintsev, filmmaker Jessica Hausner, Golden Globe Awards President Helen Hoehne, ARTE France Cinema Managing Director Olivier Père, and actress Yasmine Al Massri.

12 Punto 2026 to Be Held in Istanbul

12 Punto 2026 will take place in Istanbul from July 12–19, 2026. In addition to project meetings, the program will feature panels, masterclasses, screenings, and talks for both industry professionals and cinema audiences. Awards will be presented at the Closing and Awards Ceremony on July 19, 2026. For applications and detailed information, visit www.trt12punto.com/en/

Radio Farda Returns to Shortwave, Bypassing Iran’s Digital Blackout

10 January 2026

Radio Farda Returns to Shortwave, Bypassing Iran’s Digital Blackout

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) on 10 January resumed shortwave radio broadcasts into Iran following the imposition of an internet blackout by the Islamic Republic. Working with several commercial vendors, RFE/RL’s Persian-language service Radio Farda is once again providing an alternative to state-controlled media. Radio Farda reaches 6.5 million Iranians inside the country each week across digital platforms.

As nationwide protests in Iran continue, Radio Farda remains a lifeline for the people of Iran, providing vital news and insight, amplifying the voices of activists, verifying the deaths of protesters, and delivering expert analysis on the developing U.S. response.

President & CEO Stephen Capus said:

“At this historic moment, when the Iranian people have been plunged into digital darkness by their government, Radio Farda’s return to the airwaves is an essential breakthrough. We’re reaching the people of Iran with the facts they need to stay safe – and ensuring their voices continue to be heard. Our journalists at Radio Farda are working nonstop to fulfill our commitment to the people of Iran.”

In the week leading up to the Islamic Republic’s internet blackout, Radio Farda’s digital reach surged. Between January 2-8, Radio Farda’s Instagram content was viewed at least 30 million times per day – 241.8 million views total – with 96% coming from Iran. Between December 28-January 5, Instagram video viewership rose by 411% over the previous seven-day period, with engagements soaring by 481%.

Radio Farda is a primary source of international perspectives on the crisis for Iranians, providing the latest statements from U.S. President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the House Foreign Affairs Committee Majority, and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), as well as analyses of the crisis and its impact on U.S. and foreign policy debates and analysis by experts such as Jack Goldstone, Michael Sobolik, Michael Rubin, and Ilan Berman.

For the latest information on the protests, follow Radio Farda’s live blogs in English and Persian. [Source: RFE/RL press release]

NHK WORLD-JAPAN programme focus in January: The Tales Behind Kobe’s Western Specialties

7 January 2026

NHK WORLD-JAPAN programme focus in January: The Tales Behind Kobe’s Western Specialties

The Tales Behind Kobe’s Western Specialties

Stories from Kobe’s Western Cuisine January 17 Sat. 1:10/7:10/13:10/19:10 (UTC) Western-style cuisine is a comfort food the people of Kobe have passed down with love. It gave them strength as they recovered from disaster. What stories lie behind its rich, brown demi-glace sauce?
Documentary 360 BLIND SPOT: Unseen Neighbors January 10 Sat. 0:10/6:10/12:10/18:10 (UTC) As famine spreads in Gaza and living conditions deteriorate, many Israeli citizens turn their attention away. This documentary probes the reasons and ramifications.?
Japanology PLUS Thursdays 2:30/7:30/13:30/19:30 (UTC) Fridays 23:30 (UTC) Fresh insights into Japan. Stories behind Japanese life and culture through the eyes of Peter Barakan, a 50-year resident and watcher of Japan.
GRAND SUMO Highlights DAILY DURING TOURNAMENTS 16:30/23:30/4:30/8:30 (UTC) The best of today’s sumo! Enjoy daily highlights of this dynamic sport with background info and play-by-play commentary adding to the excitement!?The January Tournament of GRAND SUMO is held from January 11th to 25th.