The annual Edinburgh Internet Festival was founded in 1999 as the first online resource for artists and performers attending the Edinburgh Festival. Additional aims of the event have always been to encourage and promote the digital arts within Scotland and to explore the benefits of digital technology within local communities at a grass-roots level. 

For almost 10 years the event has been refused all requests for funding or support from Edinburgh Council - The Scottish Arts Council - The Scottish Government.

The forthcoming launch of the Festivals Edinburgh ‘Digital Hub’ project is so similar in aims and objectives to those of the Internet festival that the future of the entire event will have to be reconsidered. 

It is ironic that the very body set up to assist and promote Edinburgh’s festivals has in effect killed off the Internet festival - As is also the fact that 'Festivals Edinburgh' is funded by Edinburgh Council - The Scottish Arts Council - The Scottish Government

PoL Steele
Edinburgh Internet Festival 1999 - 2008