Celtic Media Festival 2015 gets underway in Inverness
Issued by Celtic Media Festival
Festival begins as top industry figures arrive in Inverness
The 36th Celtic Media Festival gets underway at Eden Court, Inverness today, Wednesday 22nd April, with 400 delegates arriving in the city to experience the 3-day celebration of film, television, radio and digital media which promotes the unique languages and cultures of the Celtic nations and regions. Over the next few days delegates will enjoy panel discussions and workshops from key industry figures including commissioners from national and regional broadcasters, with an extensive event strand also open to the public.
Scottish film-maker Don Coutts will welcome delegates to the opening Awards Ceremony today, which will see the first of this year’s prestigious Torc Awards for Excellence presented, with winners announced this afternoon at 6pm.
Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop said: “It’s an honour to be at the welcoming reception of Celtic Media Festival. The festival was founded in Scotland in 1980 and I’m delighted to see it return to Inverness again, having previously being held here in 1987 and again in 1991. Over the coming days the city will see leading industry figures and international broadcasters unite, sharing their dedication to nurturing Celtic talent, and I’m sure they’ll be warmly welcomed.”
Festival Producer, Catriona Logan said: “We’re thrilled to launch the 36th Celtic Media Festival here in Inverness. Over the next three days we’ll hear from a brilliant line-up of industry figures, celebrating the best in Celtic media talent. The Torc Awards are always a great highlight of the festival and this year’s shortlist does not disappoint!”
Provost of Inverness, Alex Graham said: “The Highlands are at the heart of Gaelic culture, making Inverness the ideal place to host the Celtic Media Festival. A very warm welcome goes out to all the delegates from the Celtic nations and regions who are taking part and I am sure they will feel very welcome here throughout their stay.
“The Festival has been held in the City twice before in 1987 and 1991, and since then there have been tremendous changes as Inverness has grown and become a city. There have also been huge developments across the Highlands, in education, the creative industries, and economic development, which have promoted and enhanced the Gaelic and cultural heritage of the area.
“I am sure the 2015 Celtic Media Festival will be a great success and would invite delegates to take the opportunity to explore and enjoy the delights of the Highland Capital and the surrounding area. I wish to congratulate the Celtic Media Festival Committee on creating such an exciting and innovative festival programme, and thank them for their commitment to nurturing exciting new talent.”
Some of the most influential figures in the broadcasting and film industries will attend the Celtic Media Festival over 22nd – 24th April, including MSP Mike Russell (co-founder of Celtic Media Festival), Stuart Cosgrove (former head of Creative Diversity at Channel 4), David Harron (BBC Scotland’s Executive Producer for Commissioning), Stuart Millar (the Guardian’s Head of News), Ewen MacAskill (the Guardian’s Defence and Intelligence Correspondent), Luke Moody (Britdoc, distributor of Citizenfour), Michael Hines (award winning director), Sanjeev Kohli (writer/actor/broadcaster), Chris Young (founder, Young Films), and many more.