MGEITF

The Keynote Speeches

The James MacTaggart Memorial Lecture
The MacTaggart Lecture was named after the pioneering and innovative writer, producer and director James MacTaggart. The Lecture by John McGrath, playwright, opened the first Festival in 1976 and has fast established itself as a platform for important policy announcements and agenda-setting speeches.  Past MacTaggart speakers include Dennis Potter, Michael Grade, Rupert Murdoch, Janet Street-Porter, Ted Turner, Peter Bazalgette, Greg Dyke, David Liddiment, Mark Thompson, Tony Ball, John Humphrys, Lord Birt, Charles Allen and in 2007 Jeremy Paxman.  In 2008 ITV’s Director of Television, Peter Fincham, will deliver the lecture.

The Worldview Address
The Worldview Address, a global view of the television business, was launched in 1990. Over 14 years, the address has welcomed many UK and international heavyweights to the Edinburgh stage including Gerhard Zeiler, novelist Lionel Shriver, Chris Albrecht, Barry Diller and Lord Puttnam.  In 2008 the lecture will be delivered by Al Jazeera Networks Director General Wadah Khanfar.

The Alternative MacTaggart (AltMac)
In 1997 the Edinburgh International Television Festival launched the AltMac. Billed as a dynamic 'alternative' to the famous James MacTaggart Memorial Lecture, the platform gives a media visionary an opportunity to present an inspirational view of the broadcasting future.  In 2007 Vint Cerf of Google inspired the audience with his plans for the internet in space, Al Gore discussed the democratisation of the media in 2006 and in 2008 we will hear from writer Armando Iannucci.  Other speakers have included James Murdoch, Germaine Greer, Rod Liddle and Geraldo Rivera.

The Richard Dunn Memorial Interview
Inaugurated in 1999 in memory of the respected former chairman of Thames Television, this platform is distinct in its remit to look at the personal business vision, creative strategy and management style of a major TV executive.  In 2008, Jamie Oliver will talk to Peter Bazalgette about running his own indie, campaigning television and cooking programes on TV.  Previous speakers have included Dawn Airey, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, Luke Morris and Simon Cowell.

The Futureview Address
Inaugurated in 2007 with the support of MTV Networks, the Futureview Address aims to explore cutting-edge issues in technology and their effects on the broadcasting and media industries.  Joost Founder Janus Friis, fresh from the success of Skype, outlined his plans for the P2P video platform in 2007.  Clay Shriky will address the festival in 2008.  Shirky is a highly influential commentator on the web, social media and how society is adapting to new technologies. His Keynote will be based on his recent book ‘Here Comes Everybody', which explores how simple social technologies are creating radical changes in society, politics, media and culture.