The Festival is famous for its provocative, informative and entertaining sessions, all created by seasoned TV producers ensuring they are of the highest quality and relevance. Offering more than 70 keynotes, debates and masterclasses, plus scores of networking opportunities, we draw around 2000 professionals from across the globe.
Our speaker Hall of Fame is second to none, featuring high-calibre speakers from media titans to actors, writers, producers, CEOs and channel controllers from the biggest broadcasters. They include Ted Turner, Rupert Murdoch, Ricky Gervais, Louis Theroux, Sharon Horgan, Armando Iannucci, Charlie Brooker, Hugh Grant, Joanna Lumley, Lin Manuel Miranda, Michaela Coel and Whoopi Goldberg alongside the most senior figures from companies including ABC, HBO, NBC, Showtime, Amazon and Netflix.
Established in 1976, the Festival takes place every August at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre concurrently with the Edinburgh International Festival, and similar events, in the city.
Now in our 45th year, we maintain a reputation for being the must-attend event in the TV calendar and The Edinburgh International Television Festival remains the only event both run by and for the television industry as the Festival is governed by its Executive and Advisory committees. The Festival is a charitable organisation with a mission to identify and nurture the next generation of talent, whatever their background.
The Festival runs three talent schemes – “The Network” which gives brand new entrants a vital first step into the TV and digital industries while “Ones to Watch” supports those at the early stages of their career, and “TV PHD” aimed at doctoral students who are interested in working in, or with, the television industry. All three schemes benefit from fully funded places at the Festival, which include tailored workshops, masterclasses and networking. Year-round mentoring, training and events are also offered.
The Festival also runs other events throughout the year with the aim of engaging and inspiring the TV industry, these range from our punchy and provocative EdTalks lectures to Q&A’s with channel bosses from across the globe.
The Festival is best known for its keynote address: The James MacTaggart Memorial Lecture. The lecture features speeches from leading media figures connected with British and international television over more than 40 years.
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The Executive Chair oversees the Executive Committee, which is made up of senior figures from the television industry. With the help of the committee, overseen by the Board of Directors, the chair manages the operational side of the TV Festival and helps with the organisation’s charitable work. This position is usually held for a three-year period.
The Advisory Chair, working closely with Festival Director, curates the festival programme and leads the team of industry executives that form the Advisory Committee. The position of Advisory Chair is held by a different industry leader every year. Throughout the Festival’s history, this position has been held by some of the most influential people within television.