The 52nd Prix Italia television and radio awards, sponsored by state broadcaster RAI, will feature a retrospective of director Robert Altman's television work and the screening of two freshly restored Fellini films - Clown (1970) and Prova D'Orchestra (1978).

RAI president Roberto Zaccaria said 48 television stations and 75 radio programmes from 50 countries would participate in this year's competition. In addition, there will be a new permanent section dedicated to web-sites, web portals and Internet TV.

Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi and EU President Romano Prodi are expected to inaugurate the event, which will be held in Bologna and Rimini from September 16-23.