Iranian radio productions named as finalists in ABU Prizes 2025
Three Iranian radio works have advanced to the final round of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) Prizes 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The ABU Prizes, hosted by the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union, are among the region’s most prestigious media awards, ILNA reported.
The finalists from Iran include the radio documentary ‘The Hidden Path’, produced by Zahra Sarbazi for Radio Iran; the audio feature ‘Far East, Near East’, written, directed and hosted by Mohsen Rasuli for Radio Goftogoo; and the radio drama ‘Autumn Dream’, written and directed by Fereydoun Mehrabi for Radio Namayesh.
These works will compete in their respective categories—documentary, podcast/audio feature and long-form drama, under this year’s theme, “Journey”.
‘The Hidden Path’ follows two young Iranians through their “secret” illegal migration, capturing their hopes and fears both before departure and years later, offering a powerful, time-spanning contrast. ‘Far East, Near East’ explores the cultural and economic spread of South Korea’s “Hallyu” wave, juxtaposing it with perceived neglect of Iran’s rich cultural legacy.
‘Autumn Dream’, a loosely adapted radio version of Nader Ebrahimi’s novel 'Once Again the City I Loved,' was performed and recorded in Studio 8 of Radio Namayesh with Mehrabi leading a radio ensemble in Tehran.
Final winners across radio and television will be announced during the ABU annual general assembly, scheduled for September of this year in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.