CANNES: It’s international TV awards announcement time at the Palais de Festivals in Mipcom. After the iemmys, now it is the turn of the Festival Rose d’Or, which is being held this year in Lucerne in Switzerland.

Rose D’Or CEO Georges Luks announced that a new category "Soap" was being added to the seven existing ones, comedy, sitcom, variety, game show, reality show, music and arts and specials.

The shows apart, even artistes are being recognised revealed Luks. “There will be awards for best female and male comedian, best sitcom actor and actress, best soap actor and actress, and best game show host,” he said. Each of the winners will be awarded a Golden Rose.

He added that he was confident that the new categories will have an impact on the public interest in the Festival D’Or. "We have been getting positive feedback for the changes we have made as the Rose d’Or evolves," he pointed out.

For the first time in its 43 year old history, the Festival, which will be held from 13 April 2004 to 18 April, is being held in Lucerne, in the heart of Switzerland.

He disclosed that high class comedy and music events have been lined up during the festival. An International Entertainment Summit has been planned for 17 April to be attended by global high power figures from media, finance, politics and science.

The organisation is organising a Trendsetting day in cooperation with SBS, the second largest private broadcaster in Switzerland. A competition for TV formats will be held whereby entrants can make live presentations of formats on paper. The winner will be given the Rose d’Or Brainstation of the Year Award. Two panels, How to pitch a concept to a broadcaster and Current Television Trends in TV programming will be held on the Trendsetting day. It has partnered with the United Nations to host the Bal De La Rose d’Or will follow the awards gala on 17 April.