The List Festival Awards 2025 will return to Edinburgh this August, with celebrated poet Michael Pedersen and broadcaster Gemma Cairney announced as hosts.
The ceremony will take place on Friday 22nd August 2025 from 3pm to 6pm at the stunning Johnnie Walker Princes Street’s Label Studio.
Following a successful inaugural event in 2024, the awards aim to spotlight the rich cultural offerings across Edinburgh’s summer festivals, including art, books, film, and the Fringe.
Michael Pedersen, Edinburgh’s Makar and Writer in Residence at the University of Edinburgh, brings a wealth of literary acclaim to the role. His debut prose Boy Friends was a Sunday Times Critics’ Choice and shortlisted for Best Non-Fiction Book at Scotland’s National Book Awards.
Gemma Cairney, known for her work with BBC Radio 6 Music, is a writer and producer currently based in Scotland. She serves on the board of the Jupiter Artland Foundation and has chaired the Edinburgh Art Festival since 2022.
The awards are hosted in partnership with Johnnie Walker Princes Street, with additional support from Set! Productions, Edinburgh Marriott Hotel, LNER, Ghost Light Theatre, Pure Life Plus, The Pitt, Data Thistle, Adelaide Fringe, SoHo Playhouse, and the Sit-Up Awards.
Twelve awards will be presented, each with a minimum cash prize of £500. Two winners will also be invited to perform at the SoHo Playhouse in New York as part of the International Fringe Encore Series.
New for 2025 are four additional award categories, expanding the celebration of talent at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Brian Donaldson, Editor of The List, said:
“We struck gold last year with Zara Janjua and Mark Nelson as our inaugural awards-hosting double act, and the challenge was in trying to follow that. We feel very fortunate to have secured another dream team in Gemma Cairney and Michael Pedersen, both erudite, enthusiastic, informed and witty commentators and practitioners in their own fields and beyond. Getting the perfect hosts is half the battle in producing a successful awards ceremony and we can’t wait to see Gemma and Michael helping us celebrate all our winners and nominees.”
The List celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, continuing its mission to support Scottish and international arts through its print and digital platforms.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
