Michael Pedersen and Gemma Cairney to host The List Festival Awards 2025.
Edinburgh Makar Michael Pedersen and broadcaster and producer Gemma Cairney will host The List Festival Awards 2025, following a highly successful inaugural ceremony in 2024. The art and culture publication’s second annual Festival Awards will return to the stunning Johnnie Walker Princes Street’s Label Studio, on Friday 22nd August 3pm-6pm, to shine a light on the rich array of art, book, film, fringe and international festivals taking place in the city every summer. Designed to cover the breadth of cultural offerings during the most exciting festival month of the arts calendar, The List will pay tribute to the artists who make this very special programme an actuality.
No stranger to awards ceremonies, prize-winning poet Michael Pedersen is the Writer In Residence at The University Of Edinburgh and was named the new Edinburgh Makar in 2024. Broadcaster and writer Gemma Cairney is best known for her work with BBC Radio 6 Music. Currently based in Scotland, Cairney is on the board of the Jupiter Arland Foundation and has been the chair of Edinburgh Art Festival since 2022.
The categories for The List Festival Awards 2025 are:
- • ART - Best rising Scottish artist
- • BOOKS - Best rising Scottish author
- • FILM - Best Scottish film
- • FRINGE – Dance • FRINGE – Comedy
- • FRINGE - Kids • FRINGE - LGBTQIA+
- • FRINGE - International Fringe Encore Series Edinburgh Prize
- • FRINGE - Sit-Up Award for best production with a social impact
- • FRINGE - Best show from Adelaide • FRINGE - Spirit Of The Fringe Award
- • INTERNATIONAL - Best show
The List Festival Awards aim to support both Scottish and international arts and talent across all festivals, with each of the 12 winners to receive a cash award of at least £500. Two of these winners will head to the SoHo Playhouse in New York to perform their show.