Meera Syal to deliver Alternative MacTaggart
Actor, writer, comedian and author Meera Syal will deliver the Alternative MacTaggart lecture at the Edinburgh TV Festival.
The recipient of the Bafta Fellowship this year, Syal’s TV and film credits include the upcoming Acorn series Mrs. Sindhu Investigates and Prime Video’s Wheel of Time, as well as Goodness Gracious Me, The Kumars at Number 42, Roar, The Split, The Devil’s Hour, Anita and Me, Yesterday and Paddington 2.
Syal will speak to festival executive chair Fatima Salaria in a session produced by Nisha Parti, about the highs and the lows of being a trailblazing British Asian woman in the film and TV industry and will reflect on the importance of representation.
Advisory chair Kiran Nataraja said: “As an icon who has always been at the forefront of the industry, I know her unique perspective will make for a fascinating and lively session.”
Other festival sessions announced include:
• How to Navigate the Next Global Crisis
• TV’s (Not So) Guilty Pleasures - Does TV have a Snobbery Problem?
• Reboots session in which experts examining what the reboots boom means for the industry
• Banijay UK chief executive Patrick Holland on the future of docs
• Secrets of Scheduling with Disney’s Liam Keela
• What’s Next for British Comedy?
• Fulwell 73 co-founder Ben Winston in conversation with Richard Bacon about his move to the US
• Ex-Paralympian and broadcaster Ade Adepitan tests two teams of TV bigwigs, comedy stars and creatives about building an inclusive broadcasting industry by 2030 via quiz rounds.
Speakers already announced include Succession creator Jesse Armstrong, Happy Valley Sally Wainwright and MacTaggart speaker Louis Theroux.
Last year’s Alternative MacTaggart was delivered by Rose Ayling-Ellis who accused the industry of tokenism when it comes to representation.
This article first appeared on our sister site, Broadcast.
Also on The Knowledge
MPTS 2024 – a Production preview, Part Two
As the Media Production & Technology Show approaches, we bring you a round-up of some of the Production-themed sessions on Day Two of this major event. Don’t miss out on hearing all that these industry experts have to say; register now!
Creative UK launches manifesto for change
Creative UK has launched a manifesto calling for radical action across the creative and cultural industries.
MPTS 2024 – a Production preview
As the Media Production & Technology Show approaches, we bring you a preview of some of the Production-themed sessions on Day One. Don’t miss out on hearing all that these industry experts have to say; register now!
S4C generates £136m for the Welsh economy
A new report reveals that S4C has generated £136m for the Welsh economy and created 1,900 jobs.
MPTS is just around the corner!
The Media Production & Technology Show (MPTS) is just around the corner - bigger and better than ever!
ITV reveals diversity spend
As part of its Social Purpose Impact Report for 2023, ITV has revealed its spend on driving change towards racial and disability equality.