Normal People masterclass highlight of digital Edinburgh TV Festival
BBC’S outgoing directorgeneral Lord Tony Hall will open day one of the Edinburgh TV Festival, which is taking place online for the first time.
He will address delegates on issues including diversity, the role of news in public service broadcasting and how to stay relevant while competing with streaming services such as Netflix.
Broadcaster and historian David Olusoga will close today’s event by delivering the Mactaggart Lecture, named in honour of producer, writer and director James Mactaggart.
He said: “I am enormously honoured to accept the invitation to deliver this years’ Mactaggart Lecture. We are living through an extraordinary moment. The pandemic has exposed deep economic and racial divisions and demands for profound and systemic change are louder now than they have been for half a century.
“Like every industry, television faces a moment of reflection and decision. I’m honoured to have the chance to contribute to that important debate.”
This year’s digital festival will feature four days of discussion about the UK TV industry.
Tomorrow will feature sessions with Ian Katz, director of programmes at Channel 4, and Ben Frow, director of programmes at Channel 5.
It will conclude with an appearance from Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke, who will take part in a conversation with filmmaker Paul Feig, who directed her in 2019 rom-com Last Christmas.
Wednesday will include a Normal People masterclass featuring the stars Daisy Edgar-jones and Paul Mescal in conversation with directhe tor Lenny Abrahamson. On Thursday Kay Burley and Cathy Newman will be in conversation during a session called Pandemic Politics, and a segment exploring the story of drill and urban music on Youtube.
In one of the final sessions, The Good Place actress and activist Jameela Jamil will deliver the Alternative Mactaggart lecture and discuss her experience of the industry and online trolling.