The Salford International Media Festival (SIMF) begins on Monday 16 November, with a host of high profile media industry figures scheduled to appear at the Festival’s Nations and Regions Media Conference (NARM).
The Minister of State for Culture and the Digital Economy, Ed Vaizey MP is set to deliver a keynote address at NARM about the future of the media and culture in the North, as well as the creative industries and the Government’s Northern Powerhouse agenda. The Minister will also speak about the work he has done around diversity within the British media on Tuesday (17th November).
BBC England’s Chief Operating Officer, Jenny Baxter, will also deliver a keynote address on Tuesday, talking about the future of the BBC as it approaches its charter renewal. Baxter will discuss the BBC’s nations and regions work, the development and success of BBC North and the importance of the BBC’s out of London activities.
To kick off the conference, American TV writer and SIMF Patron, Josh Weinstein, famed for his work on the legendary animated comedy series, The Simpsons will deliver the welcome address on Monday evening. He will be followed by fellow American, Michael Rosenblum, who built the first major video journalism driven local TV news operation and now trains video journalists across the globe. He will discuss the rise of new technology in media and the ‘digital revolution’.
The highlight of this evening will be the presentation of the inaugural Nations and Regions Media Conference (NARM) Achievement Award which will be received by the creator of Coronation Street, Tony Warren.
The NARM Achievement Award has been created to recognise and celebrate media figures, who have made an outstanding contribution to, and impact on, the development of media in the Nations and Regions of the UK. Tony is being recognised for his work in establishing the world’s longest running TV soap opera in production, Coronation Street, which helped establish Manchester and Salford’s place in British culture and, as one of the most financially successful programmes ever on British TV. On the day Tony will receive his award, 8774th episode of Coronation Street will be aired. It is now sold to 101 countries worldwide and has won hundreds of awards over the years.
Former Simpson writer, Josh Weinstein said: “Since I was first involved with the Salford Media Festival in 2013, I’ve been aching to do it again. I haven’t felt a pull like this since I started as a writer on The Simpsons. It’s because Creativity is there.
“It’s that sense of “We follow no one, but if you want to come along, stand right by us.” It’s the spirit of Creativity that may still be found in pockets in places like LA or London, but Manchester – and the University of Salford as one of its most important brain centres – and this Festival positively pulse with it.”
Main photo: Tony Warren
