The conference is aimed at young Irish broadcasters, artists, content creators, film makers and journalists.

Mid-west arts conference aimed at young media contributors

Published: Wed 25 Aug 2021, 9:19 AM

Limerick Media and Arts Conference (LMAC) is a free event aimed at young Irish broadcasters, artists, content creators, film makers and journalists for discussions on creativity, criticism, production and innovation in media and arts, and some of the challenges facing students and graduates today.

The conference will take the form of several panel discussions, with some workshops and talks littered throughout the two days. Panels will take place over Zoom (webinar style) and will be moderated by an industry professional. The panels will be just under and an hour in length.

The event kicks off with a plenary session at 2pm this Wednesday, August 25. Rob Quicke (Co-Founder, World College Radio Day (Professor, William Paterson University, NJ, USA)), Paula Healy (Station Manager Flirt FM 101.3/Irish Student Radio Network/Craol), Diarmuid McIntyre (HearSay Audio Festival/Grey Heron Media) and others will discuss student media, and the importance of getting involved in it.

This will be followed by a unique multi-camera online workshop with one of Ireland’s most celebrated DJ’s Aoife Nic Canna. It’s an absolute must for any beginning, or burgeoning DJ. Following that, we have a very unique event, Making it in America, with some very well-known Irish journalists based in the US. We’re very excited about this one, keep tuned to or socials for the announcement.

Our panel discussion run from 11-4pm Thursday, August 26.

TikTok star Lauren Whelan will accompany Craig Houlden from the Anfield Agenda YouTube channel. Instagram content creator Clóda Scanlon (orangeobviously) and up-and-coming sports pundit Jay Daly (The United Stand) will complete the Millennial Media panel.

Nessa McGann will moderate the panel discussion Challenging Current Affairs Programming She will be joined by The Irish Mirror’s Ciara Phelan, Virgin Media’s Rob O’Hanrahan, NewsTalk’s Andrew Lowth and The Irish Examiner’s Aoife Moore to offer their expertise.

Where Are The Critics?: The Role of the Critic in 2021: Sunday Times journalist Cristín Leach will talk to well-known and respected critic Zara Hedderman, Dave Hanratty of the No Encore Podcast, freelance writer Alannah Hopkin, and Blinder Films CEO Katie Holly.

Journalist Aoife Barry (The Explainer/Journalie and Get Around To It Podcast (host/producer) will join Martin Beanz Warde of The HazBeanz Show, Fur Coat No Nickers’ Sophie La Touche and HeadStuff’s Conor Reid to discuss all things Podcasting. This panel is moderated by Diarmuid McIntyre.

The conference will come to a close with two really special events. Well-known funny man Owen Colgan (Hardy Bucks/RTE’s Around the Fire) will be the focus of a Questions and Answer’s session where students can pick his brain about the fantastic range of projects he has been involved in over the years, from stand-up to acting, from guerrilla film-making to working for RTE, and larger, big budget productions.

The inspirational musician and film maker Nick Kelly will present an hour long workshop on directing. Nick has been a prolific short film maker for several years, and has been shortlisted for the Oscars. He released his full length feature ‘The Drummer and the Keeper’ in 2017, and he has had a rewarding career directing adverts for fifteen years. We feel incredibly lucky to have Nick on board, as his SEE:HEAR Stage show was a massive influence and motivator for the team here at Wired FM.

This event is organised by students for students.

We put it together to revitalise and invigorate those involved in college media - after what has been a very challenging 18 months. We did so in a bid to look ahead to the future year with enthusiasm and optimism.