As the country faces a cost-of-living crisis, the independent television sector prepares to face the oncoming storm, after already absorbing the costs caused by Covid.
As broadcasters seek to protect themselves financially, with consequences for programme budgets, should we all be doing more to ...

Disney+’s first UK original drama series Wedding Season is set to launch this autumn. Hear from the creative team behind the action-comedy and the actors bringing the story to life. See exclusive scenes from the series as we take a deep dive and explore the inspiration behind the show, examine ke...

This international and highly experienced panel of journalists and news executives will discuss what key factors are shaping the global television news coverage of the war in Ukraine and debate if it is being covered differently from past and present conflicts

True crime inspires an insatiable appetite for compelling real-life drama: from scammers and swindlers to serial killers. Join us for a look at the genre’s biggest issues from sensationalism and sensitivity to the future of true crime on TV.

Alongside the insight of a panel of top TV professio...

Richard Sharp became BBC Chairman in 2021 amid a series of critical debates on its purpose, independence and direction. In his first appearance at the Festival, and after 18 months in the role, Sharp will sit down with actor and director David Harewood and will discuss his experience outside the ...

The UK’s creative economy is a global success story and our PSBs sit at its heart. One of the most talked-about issues this year is the debate about the role public service broadcasting can continue to play in the fast-moving, digital landscape. Are the PSBs punching through enough? Are the strea...

In the rush to tick boxes and fulfil quotas, are diverse creatives being set up for success? Are they receiving the right level of support to write their first show, or direct their first block of TV? Are creatives of all ethnicities allowed to tell authentic stories? How far can colourblind cast...

David Nevins, Chairman and CEO Paramount Premium Group and Chief Creative Officer Paramount+ Scripted Series, returns to the Festival after seven years. He takes to the stage in his new role to discuss, with BAFTA Chief Executive, Jane Millichip, the current landscape of scripted content, his exp...

After three days of sessions examining the pressing issues facing the TV industry today, the Closing Debate takes stock of where we are in 2022 while also responding to the week's news cycle.

An explosion of post pandemic productions and the growing appetite for content in all forms means that behind-the-camera talent is in short supply and increasingly expensive. With the power firmly in freelancers’ hands, this frank discussion will examine how producers can find and keep the best t...

This highly emotive session will reflect on the state of play around climate storytelling. Examining where broadcast media and the wider creative industry are falling short while also highlighting the opportunity to create awareness and action to inspire global audiences. How can we turn this com...

The fastest rising IP source in TV is no longer books or articles: it’s podcasts. This session explores podcast to screen projects to learn how to seed the kinds of compelling series and formats that demand to be converted to TV. From five pioneering podcasters and studio bosses we'll learn how b...

Reputation-building, big budget pieces where full stories can be told with glossy production values are in the crosshairs of factual indies everywhere. But how can you ensure your budget matches your ambition? With more ways to fund factual than ever before, it is essential to know who’s got the ...

Saturday night entertainment is a cultural institution, creating global hit formats and front-page headlines. Once a shared viewing experience attracting over 10 million viewers, what’s regarded as a hit has changed in a world where ratings are falling and viewers spend their time across more pla...

Triple BAFTA-winning Mo Gilligan talks about taking the UK industry by storm, breaking Hollywood and his new BBC show, That’s My Jam, which takes inspiration from a segment on NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Mo is joined by leading unscripted execs Toby Gorman, Monica Rodman and Ed ...

Heartstopper, a Netflix adaptation of the popular Alice Oseman graphic novel and webcomics, became an instant and critical sensation upon release earlier this year. It also sparked a national conversation about the importance of storytelling aimed at younger LGBTQ+ viewers. What are the secrets t...

Afua Hirsch will be leading David Harewood in a wide-ranging conversation about his acting career: the differences he has seen in creative opportunities between the UK and US; how the intersection of race, gender and nationality have presented both opportunities for, and challenges to, his artist...

More brands than ever want to invest their media budgets into premium TV productions. Why is this happening and how should producers engage with brands? Hear from the brands themselves on this growing industry and more specifically about their content adventures into TV: M&S Food on cracking ITV ...

In a frank and funny peer-to-peer conversation, Rose and Dolly will discuss the creative process of bringing a self-authored, autobiographical piece to the small screen, sharing experiences of life as a writer/creator as well as the pitfalls of having the ‘ins and outs’ of their real and imagined...

Since 1976 the James MacTaggart Memorial Lecture has been the centrepiece of the Edinburgh TV Festival. It provokes and inspires debate, conversation, and change. Joining a long list of thinkers and luminaries, award-winning journalist and broadcaster Emily Maitlis will deliver the 47th lecture, ...

Looking for the latest Specialist Factual ideas? Come and hear from the delegates of the Festival's TV PhD scheme – a cohort of PhD Students looking to bring their knowledge and skills to the world of television. Over the last few weeks, our TV PhD-ers have been learning the secrets of developmen...

Free and simple to use, the Whole Picture Toolkit is a comprehensive resource that can improve mental health on productions of any size or genre.

This session will take you through some of the easy, low-cost steps to create a better working environment that produces better results. Areas of fo...