Festival Congress Award Nominees Announced
There are ten award categories including, among others, ‘New Festival on the Block’, ‘Unique Festival Arena’, ‘Mind Blowing Spectacle’ and ‘Festival Caterer Most Likely to End up on Instagram.’
One newly introduced category is the ‘Act of Independence’ award, highlighting a moment in the festival season that embodied the spirit of independence.
Nominees for this particular award include Shambala for introducing a 100% meat & fish free policy and MAST onsite drugs testing, which was piloted at several AIF member festivals this summer.
Others in the running for awards this year include the likes of Bluedot, Glastonbury’s female-only venue ‘The Sisterhood’, ‘The Good Life Experience’, Deer Shed Festival’s Film Production Big Top, Wilderness Festival’s ‘Saturday Night Spectacular’, Bestival’s ‘Spaceport’ and ‘The Tim Peaks Diner’, the brainchild of The Charlatan’s Tim Burgess, who has also been confirmed as a keynote speaker at the conference.
It has also been confirmed that the 2016 ‘Unsung Hero’ award will be presented to health, safety and welfare expert Penny Mellor, who has worked in the events sector for over 40 years, managing welfare services and developing good practice guidance.
The Awards after-party will feature Rob da Bank and Tayo 3000’s ‘Purple Rave’ Prince tribute alongside a DJ set from Tim Burgess.
For tickets and information – www.festivalcongress.com
AWARD NOMINEES
1. NEW FESTIVAL ON THE BLOCK
Bluedot
Convergence Festival
Lost Festival
The Good Life Experience
Twisterella
The Vicars Picnic
2. UNIQUE FESTIVAL ARENA
Children’s Café at The Good Life Experience
Forrest Stage at 2000trees Festival
Tim Peaks Diner
Glastonbury’s female-only venue – The Sisterhood
Deer Shed Festival’s Film Production Big Top
Bestival’s Spaceport
3. LIVE ACT OF THE YEAR
Blossoms
Symphonica with MR Switch
Spring King
Moose Blood
Jack Garratt
4. MIND BLOWING SPECTACLE
The World’s Biggest Bouncey Castle at Bestival/Common People
Wilderness Festival’s Saturday Night Spectacular
La Compagnie des Quidams at Festival No. 6
Brian Eno’s Light Installation at Bluedot
5. BEST SMART MARKETING CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR
End of The Road’s Lineup Announcement Video
Shangri La’s Media Hell Campaign
Secret Garden Party’s Gardner’s Guide To The Galaxy Theme
Bestival’s Hand-drawn/painted triptych of the Spaceport Headliners
Eastern Electrics Rickshaw DJ/Pacman Lineup Announcement
6. FESTIVAL JOURNALIST / WEBSITE OF THE YEAR
David Hillier
Marcus Barnes (Fest300)
Slummy Single Mummy
Melographic
7. FESTIVAL CATERER MOST LIKELY TO END UP ON INSTAGRAM
Claw
The Cheese Truck
The Bhangra Bus Café
Kelis’ Le Bun
Luardos
Paelleria
8. THE BACKSTAGE AWARD
Artist Liaison at Barn on the Farm
Comedy/Team Ops at End of The Road
Sue & Jo at Bingley Music Live
Artist Liaison at Blissfields
Clean Campsite Team at Nozstock The Hidden Valley
LarMac Live at Bestival, Common People, Camp Bestival
9. ACT OF INDEPENDENCE
Shambala goes 100% meat & fish free
MAST drugs testing piloted at festivals
Bestival staff Swim2Bestival
Steve Bedlam – Refugee Community Kitchen
General Public’s Hop Project
10. UNSUNG HERO
Penny Mellor