UTV Back Celtic Media Celebrations

A major showcase of Celtic-themed media has been given a boost.

The Celtic Media Festival - which celebrated its 30th anniversary in Caernarfon, Wales last year - is to be aided by both Wales Live and Ulster Television who have just announced the co-sponsorship of the opening reception at this year's Celtic Media Festival in Newry, Northern Ireland on 21 April.

The overall event will then showcase some of the latest Welsh, Irish and Scottish productions including It's My Shout and Oscar nominated Mugabe and the White African.

Michael Wilson, Managing Director of Wales Live and UTV Television said: "Wales Live and UTV are delighted to be co-sponsoring the opening reception of the Celtic Media Festival.

"We are committed to delivering high quality news programming and local content to the Celtic regions.

"We also work with independent producers, universities and colleges and content creators in Northern Ireland and Wales," he said.

"This festival gives people interested in the media industry a fantastic platform to promote their Celtic culture and language through film, television, radio and new media. UTV and Wales Live are proud to support that aim," the executive continued.

Wales Live was recently announced as the preferred bidder for the Government's Independently Funded News Consortium (IFNC) pilot project in Wales.

The UTV and NWN Media partnership branded as Wales Live promises to create a dynamic cross-platform news force for Wales, delivering content for television, radio, newspaper and online services.

The Celtic Media Festival promises to welcome media students from across the Celtic nations to Newry to take part in a three-day programme of workshops, master classes and interviews from 21 – 23 April.

As well as learning more about the opportunities available to young people within the industry, the programme offers students a chance to meet accredited industry experts such as the Chair of the Broadcasting Authority Ireland, Bob Collins, Dafydd Roberts of SAIN Records and Publishing (Wales) and successful television director, Dearbhla Walsh.

The Celtic Media Festival opening reception co-sponsored by Wales Live and UTV will take place on Wednesday 21 April at the Canal Court Hotel, Newry.

See: Preferred Bidders Announced For IFNC Pilots

(BmCC)