It’s been confirmed that Michaela Coel is to deliver the prestigious MacTaggart lecture at this year’s Edinburgh International Television Festival, Michaela will be the fifth women its 42-year history to have the honour.
Michaela will be following in the footsteps of producer Verity Lambert, 60 Minutes reporter Christine Ockrent, Janet Street-Porter and Shine Group founder Elisabeth Murdoch.
The Chewing Gum creator is “overjoyed” to accept the invitation, saying: “It seems in some way a celebration of the rapidly changing world we live in. But with the constant reshaping of our technological and political world, comes a growing need to shine a light and be vigilant rather than complacent about the future of our industry. I feel honoured to contribute to this debate on such a prestigious stage.”
Phil Edgar Jones, Director of Sky Arts & Head of Entertainment, Sky, who is Advisory Chair of this year’s event, said, “Michaela embodies everything we want the festival to be about this year – the future, the creative voice and, above all, optimism. As one of the UK’s leading young writer-performers, she speaks directly to the next generation of talent coming through the ranks and has something to teach the TV ‘establishment’ too. We are thrilled she’ll be delivering the MacTaggart and I am very much looking forward to hearing her unique take on the industry and beyond.”
Festival Director Lisa Campbell said: “Michaela is a hugely inspiring figure who has achieved so much in such a short time. With her distinctive voice, attitude and ambition this promises to be a ground-breaking and enlivening speech that will offer a completely different perspective. Our Talent Schemes delegates voted her as the person who has most inspired them to work in television, and Iike them, I can’t wait to hear the passionate and agenda-setting speech she’s set to deliver.”
