Talent schemes
The Edinburgh International Television Festival is a charitable organisation, with a remit to help people from a diverse range of backgrounds get in and get on in the TV industry.
We do this by giving talented individuals access to the TV Festival through The Network and Ones to Watch (formerly known as Fast Track) talent schemes. These schemes are funded by the generosity of sponsors, public funders and a percentage of the GEITF delegate pass.
The Network is our entry level scheme which gives people their first taste of the television industry via masterclasses and workshops during the TV Festival in Edinburgh. The speakers are all senior people working in television and the workshop programme is led by top producers who have volunteered their time.
A key part of The Network is giving delegates access to people in the TV industry. The Network delegates are given unrivalled opportunities to come face to face with senior industry figures, and many go on to take up work experience or paid work through the contacts they make in Edinburgh.
Places on The Network are awarded by the Festival Talent Schemes Committee after an online application process. The scheme is entirely free to successful applicants and includes accommodation in Edinburgh.
After Edinburgh, The Network delegates are eligible to apply for six month paid work placements with a number of broadcasters and indies through The Network at Work scheme.
The Network has been running since 1990, and was previously known as TVYP.
Ones to Watch (formerly known as Fast Track) is the Festival’s premier talent scheme. It identifies the industry’s rising stars - the Controllers, Commissioners and MDs of the future.
Applications are invited from anyone with 3 – 5 years professional experience. The Festival Talent Schemes Committee considers all applications and selects 30 of the most impressive candidates to come to Edinburgh.
The 30 enjoy a challenging and unique series of Festival sessions in addition to the main GEITF programme. They are also profiled in the GEITF programme and meet senior figures at special networking events.
The delegates stay together in special apartment accommodation in Edinburgh and the places on the scheme are free.
Ones to Watch has been running since 1994, and was previously known as Fast Track and TV25.
