The Edinburgh TV Festival has shortlisted Edinburgh, Greater Manchester, and Newcastle to host the event from 2027.
The British television industry gathering announced plans to potentially relocate last year, and organizers have now selected three bids to move forward for review.
A total of eight bids were submitted as part of the Edinburgh TV Festival strategic review, aimed at broadening access to the event and its affordability, meaning five cities have missed out.
Campbell Glennie, CEO of the TV Festival and TV Foundation, said: “We are honoured to have received eight incredible bids and have been blown away by the level of enthusiasm, ingenuity and consideration each of the bidding cities brought to their submissions.
“It is enormously meaningful to us to see the esteem in which the Festival is clearly held and the recognition of the value an event like this can bring both culturally and financially, to a city.”
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: “Being shortlisted to host the TV Festival is a real vote of confidence in Greater Manchester and the strength of our screen sector. We have the infrastructure, talent, ambition and creativity to deliver an exceptional Festival, opening a new chapter defined by the unmistakable character that only Greater Manchester can bring.”
Edinburgh Council Leader, Jane Meagher, said: “We’re proud to be known as the world’s leading festival city, and the TV Festival has been a valuable part of our cultural calendar for the past 50 years.
“Scheduled alongside the Edinburgh Festivals each August, TV professionals have long benefitted from the opportunity to meet and mingle while enjoying everything our beautiful city has offer – not least the largest and most diverse cultural gathering on Earth.”
Alison Gwynn, CEO of North East Screen, said: “The North East has tackled geographic and socio-economic disadvantage for decades but that is changing in a big way. We are a region with both credibility and huge momentum, capable of delivering a festival of national and international significance whilst ensuring a lasting legacy for our communities, emerging talent and the wider UK cultural landscape.
Source: Read Full Article
