New award targets emerging talent
The Edinburgh International Television Festival is announcing the launch of the new Test Card category as an addition to its high-profile awards.
The awards are part of the Festivals ambitions to encourage people from all walks of life to get in to the TV industry. The full information says:
EDINBURGH TV FESTIVAL LAUNCHES NEW TEST CARD INITIATIVE
The UK’s most prestigious TV industry event, The Edinburgh International Television Festival, today announces the launch of the new Test Card category as an addition to its high-profile awards.
Test Card, which is open for submissions for 2017 from today, is the latest award run by the charitable organisation, whose mission is to identify and nurture the next generation of talent from all backgrounds. Test Card gives new talent an opportunity to submit a fully realised pilot TV show in the Scripted or Unscripted genres to be judged by a jury of TV commissioners and senior development professionals. Each pilot is judged on its vision, how well it is communicated and its potential for development. Applications are encouraged from people of all walks of life, with submissions not being judged on budget.
The two category winners will be awarded a free pass to the world renowned Edinburgh International Television Festival in order to gain invaluable experience of the global TV industry as well as three night’s accommodation in Edinburgh.
The winners will also be offered the chance to further develop their ideas with expert guidance and will also receive feedback from an industry leading commissioner. All shortlisted entries will be uploaded publicly to the Edinburgh International Television Festival YouTube channel.
The Edinburgh International Television Festival already runs The Network and Ones to Watch, the industry’s most respected training programmes. Running concurrently every year, the schemes help talent from a diverse range of backgrounds across the UK kick-start their careers in the TV industry.
Lisa Campbell, Festival Director, Edinburgh International Television Festival says: “One of the areas I’m really passionate is making the festival feel more inclusive and accessible. We know that some people think they have more chance of becoming an astronaut than working in TV so this latest initiative is designed to target them and give them a realistic opportunity.”
Entries must be no more than is 60 minutes and submitted in the form of a YouTube video link in one of two categories, Scripted or Unscripted. There is a £5.00 fee per entry. Entrants must be over 18 by August 1st 2017.
Up to 150 words must accompany the submission detailing which channel(s), platforms and timeslots (where applicable) the project is envisioned occupying. Submissions close on Friday 14th July and the winners announced on August 22nd at the Edinburgh TV Festival Awards.
To apply and for full details of the process please visit www.test-card.tv
