AIF Gets Own Fest Awards

It can’t be that its members aren’t winning enough of the UK’s regular festival awards, but the Association of Independent Festivals is now setting up an awards bash of its own.

The AIF fests will be judged in such categories as “Mind-Blowing Spectacle Award,” “New Festival on the Block,” “Silver Service Award,” which may have something to do with catering, and “Unsung Hero,” presumably an award on the lines of Lifetime Achievement or the ILMC’s Road Warrior.

The AIF looked to have left it late to announce an awards ceremony to happen Oct. 17 at The Portland House in Cardiff, but apparently all the tickets have already been sold.

The masters of ceremony include music business lawyer and serial awards host Ben Challis, Huw Stephens (BBC Radio One) and Bethan Elfyn (BBC Radio Wales).

“These awards are a reflection of the respect and appreciation felt amongst the festival community,” said AIF senior manager Claire O’Neill.