More Winners Announced on day two of the Celtic Media Festival
Date Posted: June 5, 2025
Day two of the Celtic Media Festival 2025 delivered a high-level programme of discussion, commissioning insight and peer recognition that underscored the festival’s continued relevance as a strategic touchpoint for the UK and Ireland’s screen industries.
The day opened with the Celtic Media Festival International Pitching Forum, where producers pitched live to key decision-makers from Public Service Broadcasters from the UK, Ireland and wider Europe. With a £6,000 development prize in play, the session reaffirmed the forum’s position as a credible route into market for projects rooted in regional storytelling with international potential.
A headline session—“Introducing the New Directors General”—offered remarks from Deirdre Ní Choistín (TG4) and Geraint Evans (S4C) on their early priorities. In a discussion chaired by John Morrison, both leaders signalled strategic intent to invest in talent pipelines, continue to amplify indigenous languages, and ensure sustainable digital transformation for their respective broadcasters.
The day’s creative highlight came in the form of “Prestige Celtic Drama”, where panellists including Arabella Page Croft (Black Camel Films) and Gareth Williams (Rondo Media) discussed how Celtic-language drama is breaking through on global platforms. Chaired by filmmaker Raisah Ahmed, the panel highlighted the importance of quality storytelling and international co-production structures in taking local IP to international audiences.
The Torc Awards for Excellence, a cornerstone of the festival, continued on Day 2, spotlighting outstanding achievements across multiple genres and platforms. Winners announced on Day Two included the following categories:
- Factual Entertainment – Pesca Total – OUTRO SL/ Televisión de Galicia
- History (Screen) – Paid â Dweud Hoyw – Rondo/S4C
- Sports Programme (Sound) – Olivia Breen’s Paris Diaries – BBC Sports Wales/ BBC Radio Wales & BBC Sounds
- Comedy (Screen) – The B Team – BBC Studios/BBC Northern Ireland
- Factual Series (Sound) – Last One On The Train – Susan Dennehy/RTÉ Radio 1
- Entertainment (Sound) – Barrscéalta – RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta
- Live Music Programme (Screen) – An Bothy Band – Big Mountain Productions/TG4
- Children’s Programme (Screen) – My Life: I Was Bullied – Yeti Television/CBBC
These awards reflected both editorial depth and creative range across the Celtic nations, showcasing work from major public broadcasters and independent producers alike.
Festival Director Catriona Logan commented:
“At a time when the industry is in flux, the Celtic Media Festival is where the future is actively being shaped. Whether it’s international drama strategy or new leadership direction, what’s clear is that Celtic storytelling, both in scripted and unscripted, is not just surviving—it’s setting new creative benchmarks.”
As the industry continues to navigate financial pressures, platform shifts and shifting audience expectations, Day Two of CMF 2025 reinforced the importance of long-term strategic thinking and cross-border collaboration.
