Greater Manchester chosen as host of prestigious annual TV Festival from 2027

Manchester has been announced as the new host city for the prestigious TV Festival from 2027 onwards.

Established in Edinburgh in 1976 and taking place in the Scottish capital every year since then, bosses say the move to Manchester follows a UK-wide strategic review into the annual event’s long-term future by the Festival’s board of directors, and follows an extensive consultation and competitive bidding process that was launched last year.

The Festival is expected also to bring with it a significant economic boost to the region, with the creative industries, other local businesses, and the hospitality sector all set to benefit.

The TV Festival is organised by The TV Foundation, the charity dedicated to supporting access, inclusion and talent development across the UK television industry.

With strong commitments around affordability, industry partnerships and long-term growth potential, Greater Manchester’s successful bid includes plans to hold the Festival in locations within the newly developed St John’s creative and cultural district in the city centre.

Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, and Deputy Mayor for Economy Business and Inclusive Growth, Greater Manchester, said: “Being chosen to host the TV Festival is brilliant news for Greater Manchester and speaks to the growth, success and strength of our screen sector in the city region and the strong partnerships and talent we have here.

“With the fastest growing economy in the UK, creative industries are a key priority growth area for us. As part of this we aim to make our region home to the strongest screen industry cluster outside London by 2028 – an ambition backed by our just-launched £10.5 million Screen Production Fund to support film and TV made in Greater Manchester, using local facilities and expertise.

“As new home now also to the prestigious TV Festival, we’ll be working closely with partners to ensure we deliver not just an exceptional annual Festival – with our own uniquely Manchester twist – but an event that supports new collaborations and partnerships locally, nationally, and internationally, that have the growth, sustainability, and diversity of the screen industry at their heart.”

Greater Manchester’s winning bid to host the TV Festival was led by Cameron Roach founder of Rope Ladder Fiction, and creative industries producer Beth Hewitt, in collaboration with the city council, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Marketing Manchester, Manchester Accommodation BID, and TV Industry partners and others across Greater Manchester.

Campbell Glennie, CEO of the TV Festival and The TV Foundation, said: “Greater Manchester presented a vision for the Festival that combined genuine creative ambition and future-facing energy with practical accessibility and affordability for delegates. This means we can radically reduce the costs associated with attending the Festival as well as the cost of passes.

“The city reflects the expanding ambition of the UK television industry, while still offering the scale, connectivity and unique cultural identity needed for an event of this significance; it gives us the strongest platform to grow the Festival’s reach and impact in the years ahead.”

Fatima Salaria, Chair of the TV Festival board, added: “This is a chance to build a new chapter with confidence. Greater Manchester brings heritage, infrastructure, ambition and a serious growth proposition. It gives us the chance to widen who the Festival speaks to, who feels invited in, and how visible the Festival is to the working television community across the UK and beyond.”

The final Edinburgh edition of the TV Festival will take place this August and dates and further details for the TV Festival in 2027 will be shared later this year.