Festival News – Edition 2
Dear AV Enthusiast
Welcome to the Second Edition of Festival News
We are now able to update you on arrangements for the 26th Royal Photographic Society International Audio Visual Festival (IAVF) will take place in November 2025.
Since we circulated the First Edition of Festival News, we have been busy with our preparations for what we anticipate will be another wonderful festival of audio visual excellence. In this edition you will be able to read about the following:
The key IAVF dates you need to be aware of
The various medals, awards and ribbons we will be awarding
Arrangements for the on-line show of IAVF Entries
Details of the IAVF Gala Show
The new graphics for the IAVF and what they mean
To read the rst edition, visit https://rps.org/media/ds5ikkwx/iavf-2025-festival-news-1-v2.pdf
Key IAVF Dates
15th September 2025
6th October 2025
17th -20th November 2025
22nd November 2025
23rd November 2025
1st December 2025
Earliest date entries can be submitted.
Latest date entries can be submitted.
On-line Projection of AV productions.
Gala Event is an in person event announcing the results and showing the award winning entries
Results emailed.
Catalogue posted on website and can be downloaded.
8th December 2025 Awards posted.
IAVF Awards and Ribbons
With this being a Royal Photographic Society led event, there will be various RPS Medals and Ribbons. The George and Doreen Pollock Medal will be awarded in line with the RPS AV Group's requirements, that is to a rst time entrant who has not won any other award in any previous Festival/Competition.
The IAVF has been award FIAP patronage and with that comes the usual Gold, Silver and Bronze FIAP medals as well as ribbons for Honourable Mentions. For those entrants seeking FIAP Acceptances, the Judges will agree which AV productions have reached the standard for acceptance. There will be various other ribbons and awards for different aspects of AV production.
The details of these awards and ribbons can be found in the Information for Entrants at https://rps.org/groups/audio-visual/iavf/
Royal Photographic Society Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals
FIAP Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals
On - line show of IAVF Entries
During week commencing 17 November, on four consecutive evenings, Monday to Thursday, there will be an on-line show of all IAVF Entries. The precise timings will be announced once the number of entries and their duration is known. We anticipate a show from 1900 to 2200 (latest) with a suitable comfort break mid-way through the evening.
This approach will allow the audience, who might be anywhere in the world, to see all IAVF entries and make their own minds up on the main runners and riders. There will of course be an audience vote for each evening session. We know that some participants will want to watch all four evening so there will be an overall audience vote open to those who attend the whole of the on-line show.
Entrants will get to watch the Zoom shows as part of their entrance fee with a modest charge for others. We will let you know how to book in a later edition of Festival News.
The IAVF Gala Show
The results of the Festival will not be made known until the the Gala Show which will include the showing of all the award winners plus a selection of accepted entrants. We hope to show as many of these as possible during the day which will be from 1000 to 1700 on Saturday 22 November 2025.
With the help and support of Andrew Gagg and Martin Addison, a new venue has been chosen for the Gala Show at the Drama Studio at Worcester University. The studio comprises of a dark space with comfortable tiered seating. The sound and projection is of a superb standard with sound absorbing curtains on three walls of the studio. We will be using the AV Groups screen which measures 16 by 9 feet.
Refreshments and car parking will be included in the price. The whole day will be £15 per person, so we hope to see great turnout for what will be an enjoyable day. We acknowledge that some people will want to stay over on the Friday evening prior to the Gala Show. There is a Premier Inn nearby and Worcester City Centre boasts a good variety of eating places.
We will let you know plans and how to book in a later edition of Festival News.
IAVF Graphics
You will recall from previous festivals that the various graphics used seek to celebrate the location used for the IAVF. It is no different this time and we are grateful to Andrew Gagg for taking on this challenge. And it is Andrew’s home city!
To quote Andrew
"The black pears on Worcester’s coat of arms are steeped in local legend and historical symbolism. They represent the Black Worcester pear , a hardy cooking variety with deep roots in the region’s identity.
One of the most enduring stories dates back to 1415 , when Worcestershire bowmen are said to have carried banners depicting a pear tree laden with fruit at the Battle of Agincourt . The poet Michael Drayton even referenced this in his poem about the battle: “Wor’ster a pear tree laden with its fruit”.
Another key moment came in 1575 , during a visit by Queen Elizabeth I to Worcester. The city authorities reportedly transplanted a pear tree heavy with fruit to the Foregate in her honour. So impressed was the Queen by the tree’s abundance and the fact that the fruit had not been picked, she is said to have granted Worcester the right to add three black pears to its coat of arms.
Today, the black pear remains a proud emblem across Worcestershire from the city’s crest to the county cricket club’s badge. It’s a symbol of resilience, heritage, and a touch of royal favour."
Finally
Please visit the IAVF Website at https://rps.org/groups/audio-visual/iavf/ for further updates and to down load the various forms.
Alastair Taylor ARPS DPAGB/AV AFIAP/AV Festival Director avtreasurer@rps.org