SHEFFIELD (CelebrityAccess) — The Association of Independent Festivals has announced its shortlist for the 2018 edition of the Independent Festival Awards ahead of the event, which takes place at AIF’s annual Festival Congress.
This year’s awards show includes seven different awards categories, including New Festival on The Block, Unique Festival Arena, Smart Marketing Campaign and Live Act of the Year.
Magical Festival, El Dorado, Black Deer, Houghton, and Arcadia London are all in the running for New Festival on The Block, while Dream Wife, Henge, The Blue Planet In Concert With The Halle Orchestra, Shame and Barney Artist are nominated for the Live Act of the Year award.
The Outstanding Contribution Award will be posthumously given to Tramlines Festival Director Sarah Nulty, who passed away after a short illness at the age of 36 earlier this year.
Tramlines Operations Director Timm Cleasby said: “We are all so proud that Sarah has received this award and never was it more deserved. To be recognised by her peers for all her hard work, drive and determination, is a true honour to her memory, and to the legacy she’s left behind in Tramlines”.
The Act of Independence award will be awarded to Southbank Centre’s Meltdown festival for replacing Frightened Rabbit’s set at the festival with a panel on mental health awareness and the music industry, following the death of singer Scott Hutchison earlier this year.
The awards will take place on Nov. 6th at 92 Burton Road in Sheffield, with Glastonbury’s Ben Challis serving as the master of ceremonies.
The Awards will be followed by a ‘silent disco’ after party at Yellow Arch Studios.
The awards are part of the annual AIF’s Festival Congress, which this year, is expected to play host to more than 400 delegates. This year, the congress featuring an ‘Under the sea’ theme as a follow up to AIF’s Drastic on Plastic campaign earlier in the year.
The first day of the conference will take place at The Crucible Theatre, with the second day hosted at Showroom Cinema.
Over 40 speakers are confirmed for the conference this year – including keynotes from Secret Cinema Founder Fabien Riggall, Shangri-la Creative Director Kaye Dunnings, author Rob Chapman and marine biologist Dr. Kerry Howell.
Other confirmed speakers for this year’s conference include Snowbombing Event Manager Joanna Leljevahl and Liverpool Sound City MD Rebecca Ayres.
The Independent Festival Awards shortlist 2018:
Outstanding Contribution: Sarah Nulty (Tramlines)
Act of Independence: Southbank Centre’s Meltdown Festival – Mental health panel in replacement of Frightened Rabbit performance
New Festival on the Block (In Association with Marcato)
Magical Festival
El Dorado
Black Deer
Houghton
Arcadia London
Unique Festival Arena
Forest Sessions at 2000 Trees
Main Stage at Elrow Town
Abandoned Chapel at Lost Village
The Data Mine at Shambala
Paradise Heights at Boomtown Fair
Live Act of the Year
Dream Wife
Henge
The Blue Planet in Concert with the Halle Orchestra
Shame
Barney Artist
Festival Caterer of the Year (In Association with NCASS)
Smokin’ Hot Tamales
The Peckish Peacock
The Lambassadors
Le Bao
Barbeque Dreamz
Smart Marketing Campaign
The Red Stars – Kendal Calling
‘Making Waves’ video game – Deer Shed
20th Birthday ‘Nozstalgia’ theme – Nozstock
Promotional videos – Lost Village
Renaming the event the ‘Gareth Southgate’ festival – Truck
