St Ives To Host 35th Celtic Media Festival

St Ives has been chosen as the host city for a major international festival renowned for attracting some of the biggest names in the broadcasting and film world.
 
The 35th annual Celtic Media Festival will be held in St Ives over 2nd - 4th April 2014, having been held in the Cornish seaside town once before in 1997. The three day celebration of broadcasting and film talent will showcase the very best film, television, radio and digital media to emerge from Cornwall, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, The Republic of Ireland, the Isle of Man and Brittany within the past year.
 
The Celtic Media Festival promotes the unique languages and cultures of the Celtic nations and regions on screen and in broadcasting. It is expected to attract over 300 delegates, and host of big name guests and prestigious industry figures to the city. Previous high profile speakers include actors Tilda Swinton, Rhys Ifans and Peter Mullan, film maker Ken Loach, director of The Killing Birger Larsen, News International's Director of Communications (and former Communications Director for Boris Johnson) Guto Harri, Jimmy McGovern and Doctor Who and Torchwood producer Russell T Davies.
 
Though the Celtic Media Festival is primarily for industry delegates, there will be a wider programme of local screenings, exhibitions, evening entertainment and celebrity interviews open to the public, including a series of master-classes and seminars for local students.
 
One of the highlights of the Celtic Media Festival will be the presentation of the prestigious Bronze Torc Awards for Excellence. The awards celebrate the very best of film, television, radio and digital media to emerge from within the Celtic diaspora with Celtic languages featuring prominently across all categories.  The winners will be selected by an international jury, and presented with their awards in St. Ives over the three-day event.
 
Domhnall Caimbeul, Chairman of the Celtic Media Festival comments: "We're hugely excited to bring the Celtic Media Festival back to St Ives in our 35th year. The Celtic Media Festival first visited this picturesque seaside town back in 1997 and it was the perfect host town, so we're absolutely thrilled to be returning again in 2014. Our festival attracts delegates from across the Celtic nations and regions and I'm sure they'll enjoy exploring the many delights of St Ives."
 
Leo Devine, Head of BBC South West Region, said: "As Head of the BBC in the South West and, more importantly, as someone who lives in Cornwall, I am delighted that the Celtic Media Festival is returning to our county. Hosting an international festival of this calibre will provide a fantastic opportunity for Cornwall to showcase the amazing array of creative media talent in our part of the world."
 
Cornwall Council cabinet member for Economy and Culture Julian German said:"This is really good news for St Ives and for Cornwall. Cornwall boasts some fantastic film makers and locations and this is a great opportunity to showcase that to the rest of the world."
 
St. Ives Mayor, Cllr Colin Nicholls added: "This is a great advert for our town and we look forward to welcoming our guests with the welcome and enthusiasm we are renowned for."

MORE INFORMATION:

http://www.celticmediafestival.co.uk