In a career spanning more than forty years, Meera Syal has infiltrated the British establishment through comedy, challenging stereotypes through work including Goodness Gracious Me, The Kumars at No. 42 and Anita & Me. Having also received the BAFTA Fellowship at this year's BAFTA Television Awards, Meera speaks to Festival Executive Chair Fatima Salaria about, the highs and the lows of being a trailblazing British Asian woman in the film and TV industry.

The Alternative MacTaggart: Meera Syal CBE was recorded at the Edinburgh TV Festival in August 2023.

The Edinburgh TV Festival brought to you by Screen Scotland, is the UK’s foremost television event, bringing together leading industry figures and a diverse range of delegates to celebrate and dissect the world of global television production. The Festival is also a charity, working year-round to support new and emerging talent. #EdTVFest

For more information, go to: www.thetvfestival.com

With The Crown’s final chapter now closed, hear from the creative team as they discuss how this love letter to Queen Elizabeth II grew from writer Peter Morgan's initial idea to the opulent Netflix series we’ve known and loved for six seasons. Uncover the significance of Churchill's portrait and the challenges of casting actors to span generations of The Royal Family, and find out how they managed the demands of creating almost 2,500 historically accurate sets over the course of the show.

Secrets Behind The Crown was recorded at the Edinburgh TV Festival in August 2023. The speakers are Suzanne Mackie, Executive Producer; Andy Harries, Executive Producer; Martin Childs, Production Designer; Annie Sulzberger, Head of Research. The host is Edith Bowman. [All job titles correct at time of Festival]

The Edinburgh TV Festival brought to you by Screen Scotland, is the UK’s foremost television event, bringing together leading industry figures and a diverse range of delegates to celebrate and dissect the world of global television production. The Festival is also a charity, working year-round to support new and emerging talent. #EdTVFest

For more information, go to: www.thetvfestival.com

Super-producer and Fulwell 73 co-founder Ben Winston has been behind some of TV's most talked about moments: from revolutionising The Grammys, to modernising The Kardashians; co-creating The Late Late Show, to getting the cast back together for the most anticipated special of all time Friends: The Reunion. In a wide-ranging conversation with broadcaster Richard Bacon, Ben explores the journey of Fulwell 73 - the struggles that shaped their success and the strategies and ambition that fueled their rise.

Ben Winston on Pursuing the American Dream was recorded at the Edinburgh TV Festival in August 2023.

The Edinburgh TV Festival brought to you by Screen Scotland, is the UK’s foremost television event, bringing together leading industry figures and a diverse range of delegates to celebrate and dissect the world of global television production. The Festival is also a charity, working year-round to support new and emerging talent. #EdTVFest

For more information, go to: www.thetvfestival.com

Do public service broadcasters need to take a more proactive role in climate storytelling? Does celebrity involvement help or hinder activism? And should we be calling it a climate catastrophe? Our multidisciplinary panel of programme-makers, academics and activists share their experiences in crafting impactful narratives through documentaries and dramas; effective disaster communication, and the struggle for hopeful climate stories in the face of political apathy.

Based on a True Story: How to Tell the Climate Crisis Narrative was recorded at the Edinburgh TV Festival in August 2022. The speakers are Fehinti Balogun, Actor, Theatre-maker, Activist; Professor Lucy Easthope, Professor in Practice and Co-Founder, After Disaster Network, University of Durham; Stephen Garrett, Executive Chairman, Character 7, Craig Hunter, Creative Director, Factual at STV Studios; Thimali Kodikara, Series producer of the Mothers of Invention climate podcast. The host is Dan McDougall. [All job titles correct at time of Festival]

The Edinburgh TV Festival brought to you by Screen Scotland, is the UK’s foremost television event, bringing together leading industry figures and a diverse range of delegates to celebrate and dissect the world of global television production. The Festival is also a charity, working year-round to support new and emerging talent. #EdTVFest

For more information, go to: www.thetvfestival.com

Interviewed by his wife Pamela Stephenson Connolly, national treasure Sir Billy Connolly reflects on more than 50 years in comedy. As he receives the Edinburgh TV Festival’s Lifetime Achievement Award, The Big Yin looks back on his first appearance on Michael Parkinson's show and the challenges of transitioning from stand-up comedy to television, as well as chatting about his World Tour travelogue series, breaking America and his enduring love for Scotland.

Lifetime Achievement Award: Sir Billy Connolly was recorded at the virtual Edinburgh TV Festival in August 2021.

The Edinburgh TV Festival brought to you by Screen Scotland, is the UK’s foremost television event, bringing together leading industry figures and a diverse range of delegates to celebrate and dissect the world of global television production. The Festival is also a charity, working year-round to support new and emerging talent. #EdTVFest

For more information, go to: www.thetvfestival.com

Join this insightful conversation on the ethical, social, and creative aspects of true crime storytelling, as programme-makers and channel bosses look at the genre’s biggest issues from sensationalism and sensitivity to duty of care and diversity. The panel discusses the real-world consequences of the genre, such as crime-solving and awareness of domestic violence, and explores the future of true crime.

The True Crimewave was recorded at the Edinburgh TV Festival in August 2022. The speakers are Elli Hakami, Co-President and Co-Owner, Talos Films; Ian Rumsey, Managing Director, Television, ITN Productions; Jason Sarlanis, President, Crime and Investigative Content, Linear and Streaming, Warner Bros. Discovery; Jonny Taylor, Director, Documentary Film EMEA; Dan Louw, Commissioning Editor, VP Non-Scripted UK Originals, Channel 5 / Paramount+; Dr Sara Payne MBE, Campaigner. The host is Claudia-Liza Vanderpuije. [All job titles correct at time of Festival]

The Edinburgh TV Festival brought to you by Screen Scotland, is the UK’s foremost television event, bringing together leading industry figures and a diverse range of delegates to celebrate and dissect the world of global television production. The Festival is also a charity, working year-round to support new and emerging talent. #EdTVFest

For more information, go to: www.thetvfestival.com

From Strictly Come Dancing to The Traitors and The Piano, BAFTA-nominated presenter Claudia Winkleman is as recognisable for her work ethic and ability to connect with audiences as she is for her iconic fringe and smoky eye. Chatting to broadcaster and best friend Kirsty Young, Claudia unravels her journey through the world of TV hosting, via journalism, motherhood and fashion adventures, with her trademark wit and warmth.

Outstanding Achievement Award Interview: Claudia Winkleman was recorded at the Edinburgh TV Festival in August 2023.

The Edinburgh TV Festival brought to you by Screen Scotland, is the UK’s foremost television event, bringing together leading industry figures and a diverse range of delegates to celebrate and dissect the world of global television production. The Festival is also a charity, working year-round to support new and emerging talent. #EdTVFest

For more information, go to: www.thetvfestival.com

Join actor David Harewood in a heartfelt conversation with writer and broadcaster Afua Hirsch, discussing mental health, identity, and the challenges Black actors face in the UK. From his personal struggles with psychosis to reflections on racism, Harewood shares poignant stories whilst looking back on key points in his career, including his time in the Royal Shakespeare Company and roles in Homeland, The Night Manager and Supergirl. He also shares his unique “Fork Test” for evaluating scripts.

David Harewood in Conversation with Afua Hirsch was recorded at the Edinburgh TV Festival in August 2022.

The Edinburgh TV Festival brought to you by Screen Scotland, is the UK’s foremost television event, bringing together leading industry figures and a diverse range of delegates to celebrate and dissect the world of global television production. The Festival is also a charity, working year-round to support new and emerging talent. #EdTVFest

For more information, go to: www.thetvfestival.com