The 2018 New York Festivals Radio Awards celebrated the World’s Best Radio Programs on June 19th in New York City. Prominent award-winning, producers, directors, presenters and content creators from around the globe took to the stage to accept their trophies and celebrate their success. NYF’s Radio Awards shines the spotlight on exceptional radio content in all lengths and formats and across all platforms from radio stations, networks and independent producers.
“Soundtracking with Edith Bowman” earned two Gold trophies in the 2018 New York Festivals Radio Awards for Best Digital Music Program and Music podcast for creator Edith Bowman.
Trophy-winning broadcaster and writer, Bowman has been working in TV and radio for nearly 20 years. She has a diverse body of work – from fronting music festival coverage and hosting The BAFTA Scotland Awards, to traveling to Cambodia to make a BBC documentary on endangered Crocodiles. Her knowledge and passion for music and film, which stem from being a genuine fan, have seen her incorporate both extensively into all that she does.
In her unique weekly podcast, Edith Bowman sits down with a variety of film directors, actors, producers and composers to talk about the music that inspired them and how they use music in their films, from their current release to key moments in their career.
New York Festivals: What sparked the idea for “Soundtracking with Edith Bowman”?
Edith Bowman: Soundtracking came out of my love of Film and Music, no one at the time seemed to be celebrating the marriage of the two art forms. I have built up quite a good relationship with the film companies, having worked with them for a number of years so I took the plunge, once we had the first one under our belt it’s been a lovey journey of discovery really.
New York Festivals: What creative challenges did you encounter when producing and how did you solve those challenges?
Edith Bowman: The main problem we have is getting more women on the show but also, a number of the people we really want to get on are based in the states and we much prefer doing the interviews face to face so we either have to wait for them to come over to the UK or make a trip to the states. Which we are making plans for.
New York Festivals: To what do you attribute the success of this program?
Edith Bowman: Our amazing listeners. We are such a small outfit, its just me and a mate so we don’t have the massive marketing and promotion vehicle of a big organisation behind us so it really relies on people hearing us and liking what they hear, then spreading the word. And everyone loves films, we just take the music for granted and I think when we remind them of moments it’s a very emotional experience.
New York Festivals: What was your ultimate goal for the program?
Edith Bowman: To connect really, to provide something that people enjoyed listening to as much as we enjoy making it. And personally I just want to learn something from every show, and a I really do.
New York Festivals: Who or what would you consider to be your primary influence as a content creator for radio?
Edith Bowman: John Peel was a huge influence to me, especially when I was at Radio 1. He was doing his evening show and it felt like it really came from the heart, he was booking guest and playing songs that he had a connection with. That is the dream really, to make a show that feels genuine and true. Also I’ve had the pleasure of working with some amazing programme makers who have produced shows I’ve worked on and I am eternally grateful for everything I’ve learnt from them.
New York Festivals: Where do you see focusing your creative talents next…what’s on the horizon?
Edith Bowman: We have just signed up with the BFI to do a bi-monthly live event for Soundtracking, the first one is coming in September with Lenny Abrahamson and his creative team. I’d love for it to be picked up for a TV show, I think we could do something very special with it. I’ve just done an episode of a music series for Netflix which was so much fun to film, I’m hoping to do more of them. Then I’ve got a few ideas with a few TV channels that I’d love to see go further.
New York Festivals: Do you have any advice for people just starting out in radio? What’s the best advice some shared with you?
Edith Bowman: The best advice I can give you from my own experience is to not take no for an answer, if you believe in yourself and know you have the conviction, anything is possible. The tools you need to get something out there are there, nothing is stopping you. Gone are the days you need to rely on a traditional broadcaster to make programmes, the world is your oyster. And my other piece of advice is be yourself, don’t be someone you think someone else wants you to be.
For more information on New York Festivals International Radio Program Awards, please visit: http://www.newyorkfestivals.com/radio/ and to view the 2018 winners visit: HERE.