The 2011 Celtic Media Festival will take place this year on Scotland’s Western Isles from the 13th to the 15th of April. The programme of events at the annual celebration of broadcast and film talent in the Celtic nations has been announced and features Cartoon Saloon’s Tomm Moore, RTÉ Entertainment Commissioning Editor Eddie Doyle and dozens of Irish projects shortlisted for the festival’s Torc awards.
As part of the three-day festival, Cartoon Saloon’s Tomm Moore will host an event on April 14th at 3:45pm that will look at his career thus far and will offer tip and hints as to creating animated pieces and features. Furthermore, in a session on Friday, April 15th entitled ‘A Welshman, an Irishman and a Scotsman . . .’ comedienne Karen Dunbar will talk to comedy commissioners such as RTÉ’s Eddie Doyle about having a ‘Celtic’ sense of humour and commissioning programmes of this genre.
The first of the festival’s awards will be presented on Wednesday, April 13th. The bestowal of the Torc awards in the categories of Factual Series, Factual Single, Education, Entertainment, Sports, Arts and Student Entertainment will include Abú Media’s ‘1916 Seachtar na Cásca’, RTÉ’s ‘The School’ and Blinder Films’ ‘The Savage Eye’.
The following day will see the presentation of awards in several more categories including Feature Length Drama, Short Drama, Factual Entertainment, Drama Series and Marketing Campaign. The Irish projects competing in this group include Wildfire Films’ ‘Deep End Dance’, ROSG’s ‘Na Cloigne’ and Big Fish Productions' 'Súil Eile' campaign for TG4.
Finally on Friday, April 15th the festival’s closing awards will be presented in the categories of Current Affairs, Animation, Children’s and Young People, amongst others. Irish projects shortlisted in these categories include Sónta/ Cartoon Saloon’s ‘Anam an Amhráin’ and BBC Northern Ireland’s ‘Spotlight – The Iris Robinson Investigation’. Friday evening will see the presentation of the gala awards of Spirit of the Festival, Jury Prize and Radio Station of the Year.
Other highlights of the event will include An Sgáilean Úr, a look at short films made by primary and secondary pupils from the Highlands and Islands; Green Light: What’s Up Doc, a look at the making of short documentary films from the Scottish Documentary Institute; and an info session with prolific Scottish writer, Peter Mullan (The Magdalene Sisters).
For a full programme of events visit www.celticmediafestival.co.uk
