Collins, MacIntyre & Walsh for Celtic Fest | The Irish Film & Television Network

Bob Collins, Chair of the newly established Broadcasting Authority of Ireland will present the event’s keynote address whilst investigative journalist Donal MacIntyre (MacIntyre’s Underworld) will discuss a career that has seen him lift the lid on far right extremism, abuse of the elderly within the care home system and some of the most notorious British gangsters. Finally, IFTA nominated director Dearbhla Walsh (Little Dorrit) will speak with Radio Ulster’s John Toal about her career to date, current projects and future plans.

As to the festival’s special events, the history of Northern Ireland’s troubles will be the focus of the event’s ‘Modern Faction’, a debate examining the genre of drama documentary. Contributors will include Neil Mackay, writer of recent Channel 4 biopic ‘MO’, Guy Hibbert, co-writer of ‘Omagh’ and Stephen Wright, executive producer of BBC NI Drama. Also, with a general election in the UK only weeks away, ‘The Rise of Political Blogging’ will be discussed by Mick Fealty (Slugger O’Toole) and Joan McAlpine (Go Lassie Go!) in a session chaired by Stuart Cosgrove (director, Nations & Regions). Other themes explored during the festival will include cross border funding, multimedia platforms, the future of the Ulster Scots tongue in broadcasting and the thorny issue of under representation of Northern Irish daily life on UK television.

The event will also see the annual presentation of the festival’s Bronze Torcs. The awards look to 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 awards will be presented by the BBC’s Karen Kirby and RTÉ’s Dónal Mac Ruairí.

The chairman of The Celtic Media Festival is RTÉ’s Director General, Cathal Goan and he believes the event is a key date in the media industry calendar: “In the context of a difficult financial climate, the industry needs real focus and the Celtic Media Festival is a great opportunity for practitioners to examine key roles and look towards the future.” He says. “It’s great that we’re back in Northern Ireland and especially to Newry, an area with many historic connections and a vibrant Irish language history. The 2010 Festival delivers an informative and exciting programme of events and is an important date in the media calendar.”

For further information on this year’s programme for The Celtic Media Festival visit: www.celticmediafestival.co.uk.

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