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Festival Congress dishes out awards to indie fests

By Chris Cooke | Published on Friday 6 November 2015

So, the Festival Congress got underway in Cardiff yesterday. Last night the event’s awards bash took place. And if you think I’m just going to put all the winners in a list… well, yeah, of course I am.

Not until I’ve quoted Association Of Independent Festivals’ General Manager Paul Reed though. Obviously. Because that’s the law, Paul Reed quote first, winners list later. And if you don’t like that, you’ll just have to write a letter to your MP.

“What a way to kickstart the Festival Congress”, said the law abiding Reed. “Our members vote for the awards and the fact that we have winners who are yet to join AIF speaks volumes about the festival community. It was a strong shortlist, so congratulations to all of the winners!”

And here they are…

New Festival On The Block (No More Than Three Editions): Camp Wildfire

Unique Festival Arena: The Hidden Hedge, Blissfields

Mind Blowing Spectacle: Boomtown’s Palace, Boomtown Fair

Best Smart Marketing Campaign Of The Year: Boomtown Fair’s Spoof Videos

Emmet Brown Award For Innovative Use Of Technology: Shambala – The First UK Festival To Accept Bitcoin As Payment

Live Act Of The Year: Slaves

Festival Journalist / Website Of The Year: Simon Godley, God Is In The TV Zine

Unsung Hero: Chris Tofu, Continental Drifts