ROSE D’OR AWARDS: A FESTIVAL OF GOLDEN EXCELLENCE IN TV ENTERTAINMENT

The Rose d’Or Award is an international accolade that recognizes excellence in the field of entertainment television. It has been an important networking platform and a marketplace for ideas. It has a rich history that spans several decades, making it one of the most prestigious and sought-after awards in the industry. It is one of the world’s most important and prestigious events for TV entertainment and arts programmes.

The Rose d’Or Award was first established in 1961 by Swiss television executive Marcel Bezençon. The name “Rose d’Or” translates to “Golden Rose” in English, symbolizing the honour and recognition bestowed upon recipients. The award was initially created to celebrate and promote the highest quality television programs from around the world.

In 2019, the European Broadcasting Union partnered with international publishing company and digital channels business C21 Media to takeover the organisation of the Rose d’Or Awards. the 58^th Rose d’Or was hosted for the first time in Kings Place, London, in December 2019 by Sir Lenny Henry. It’s 61^st anniversary was in 2022 and was hosted by Alex Horne, star and creator of the international hit Taskmaster, a former Rose d’Or nominee.

In its early years, the Rose d’Or Award focused primarily on honouring outstanding television programs in the genres of light entertainment and variety shows. These genres encompassed a wide range of formats, including comedy, music, game shows, and talk shows. The award aimed to highlight exceptional creativity, innovation, and production values in these specific categories.

Over time, the Rose d’Or Award expanded its scope to recognize excellence in additional television genres, such as drama, sitcoms, reality TV, and documentaries. This broadening of categories allowed for a more comprehensive appreciation of the diverse and evolving landscape of television programming.

The award ceremony takes place annually, and it has been hosted by different cities throughout its history, including Montreux (Switzerland), Lucerne (Switzerland), and Berlin (Germany). The event attracts industry professionals, including television executives, producers, directors, and talent from around the world.

In 2004, the Rose d’Or Award underwent a significant transformation. The event was reimagined as the Rose d’Or Festival, expanding beyond a simple award presentation to include a broader celebration of television content. The festival became a platform for networking, industry discussions, and showcasing new and innovative television formats.

Throughout its history, the Rose d’Or Award has recognized numerous iconic and ground-breaking television programs. Past winners include influential shows such as “Monty Python’s Flying Circus”, “Fawlty Towers”, “The Benny Hill Show”, “The Muppet Show”, “The Daily Show”, “The Office” amongst others.  These programs, among many others, have left an indelible mark on the television landscape and have contributed to the continued growth and evolution of the medium.

The Rose d’Or Awards recently announced nominees for its 62^nd annual festival for the year 2023. Selected from over 700 entries across 13 categories. The finalists were voted for by a jury of over 100 broadcast executives, distributors and producers, from across the international television industry. The festival will take place on November 27^th 2023 at the King’s Palace in London.

Luckily, African thespians will participate in this festival. African actresses like; Florence Kasumba and Kehinde Bankole as they featured in the Disney+ African series called “Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire” in the Children and Youth Category.

The Rose d’Or Award remains a coveted honour in the television industry, celebrating outstanding achievements in entertainment programming. It continues to serve as a platform for recognizing and promoting excellence, innovation, and creativity in television content across various genres.

Delia Nyadi