Skilful storytelling, rhythmic dynamism and fusing drama and education were all rewarded by the jury at this year’s Prix Ex Aequo Children’s and Youth Radio Drama Festival, in Bratislava.

Co-organized by the EBU and Radio and Television Slovakia (RTVS), the annual Prix Ex Aequo honours productions by EBU Members aimed at children and teenagers – the listeners it is hardest to attract.

This year’s winners were:

• Best Radio Play aimed at children – Polish Radio, for “My Sweet Orange Tree” (parts I and III).
• Exceptional execution of a radio play aimed at children – Anders Edgren, of the Swedish Educational Broadcasting Company (UR), who wrote and produced “Beliefs and Creatures: The Water Sprite”.
• Best Radio Play aimed at adolescents – Swedish Radio Stockholm for “The Secret of the Hattifnatters”.
• Exceptional execution of a radio play aimed at adolescents – Mitja Vrhovnik-Smrekar, of Slovenian Radio, for composing the music in “Without”.

EBU Head of Radio Christian Vogg said: “Programming for children and teenagers is vital for public service media, especially in our highly commercialized world. High quality radio drama for young people is needed as a lighthouse in an ocean of information, sounds and pictures. And it is important for the social role of PSM to attract and educate the young – they are not only our future audience but also the future decision makers.”

The Prix Ex Aequo Festival, which is open to all EBU Members and Associate Members, aims to promote creativity and encourage international exchange of content and expertise in youth radio drama. This year it took place at RTVS headquarters, in Bratislava, from November 12 – 16.

The Jury Report for the Category - Radio Plays for Children

The Jury Report for the Category - Radio Plays for Youth