ºÚÁÏÉçÇø students step behind the scenes of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Three ºÚÁÏÉçÇø (ºÚÁÏÉçÇø) students went behind the scenes of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this summer, working with The Scotsman to capture the people, performances and stories taking centre stage across the city.
The internships were delivered through a partnership between ºÚÁÏÉçÇø and The Scotsman which is now in its second year, giving a new group of ºÚÁÏÉçÇø students the opportunity to put their studies into practice and gain valuable industry experience at one of the world’s largest arts festivals.
The three students - Jemimah Ekheoveh, MSc Digital Campaigning and Content Creation; Gwen Osfield, MSc Communication and PR; and Viola Giaroli Colombo, BA (Hons) Digital Marketing and Public Relations - worked across a range of Fringe events, producing video content, interviewing performers, creating content for The Scotsman’s digital channels and helping film The Scotsman Fringe First Awards which are sponsored by ºÚÁÏÉçÇø.
For 33-year-old Jemimah, the internship gave her the opportunity to experience the Fringe as more than just an attendee. Having heard about the festival before moving to Edinburgh from Nigeria, she had always wanted to be part of it. She said: “The Festival Fringe has always fascinated me, so I jumped at the chance to be involved. It was amazing meeting people, hearing about their shows and witnessing the incredible talent from around the world, such as the South African Youth Choir, which was a particular highlight for me."
The internship has helped Jemimah develop her filmmaking and editing skills, including creating eye-catching quick-fire videos and working with The Scotsman’s technical team.
Filmmaking is a constant learning process, and this internship has helped me develop my skills even further. I’ve learned how to create more professional videos and sharpened my editing skills, but I’ve also gained valuable experience working with people and as part of a team. Aside from my role as a Student Content Creator at QMU, this is the first time I’ve had the opportunity to do practical, in-person work in this way. It’s been a really valuable experience, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it.
Jemimah, who has already created an independent documentary, hopes to pursue a career in filmmaking or the wider media industry in Edinburgh.
For 24-year-old Gwen Osfield, the internship provided an opportunity to develop her existing social media skills while learning how to create content in the unpredictable and fast-paced environment of the Fringe.
Gwen primarily created content for The Scotsman’s recently launched TikTok channel, producing short clips with performers promoting their shows, as well as contributing to longer-form YouTube content.
One of her highlights was filming a piece with a performer from New Zealand’s Taskmaster, having previously seen him on television, as well as filming The Scotsman journalist Jane Bradley performing acrobatics with one of the Fringe’s performing groups.
One of the most valuable things I’ve learned is how to approach people and start conversations - something that will be useful in every facet of life. I had some social media experience before, but it was in a much more controlled environment. Working with The Scotsman has meant learning on the job – figuring out where the light is best, where the sound will be clearest and how to find a relatively quiet space in the middle of the Fringe. It’s taught me to think on my feet and adapt to whatever situation I’m working in. Sometimes you have to film someone in 20 seconds and get it in one take, so it’s a very fast-paced environment. You’re constantly having to think on your feet and adapt to what’s happening around you.
Gwen, who has secured a part-time role as a Communications Assistant with Children in Scotland, hopes to continue developing her career in communications, with an interest in arts and culture and advertising.
For 23-year-old Viola, who graduated from ºÚÁÏÉçÇø in July, the internship has offered a new perspective on an event she had previously experienced as an Edinburgh resident.
Having lived in Edinburgh for around four years, Viola had often avoided the Fringe because of its intensity. The internship gave her the opportunity to see the festival from behind the scenes and understand the huge network of people involved in bringing performances to audiences.
It's been eye-opening witnessing the Fringe from this new perspective and I've absolutely loved it. There’s so much happening during the Fringe, so I’ve had to manage my time carefully, making space to shoot and edit content around everything else. Networking has also been really important because it’s something I’ve always found challenging, but this experience has given me the confidence to connect with people in the industry, build relationships and understand how to work with them.
Viola hopes to build a career in public relations, while continuing to develop her skills in digital content creation.
These internships, which have been made possible thanks to the support of our Donor Community through funded bursaries, build on the success of the programme’s first year, which saw three different QMU students gain experience working with The Scotsman during the 2025 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
The internships are part of ºÚÁÏÉçÇøEmpower, ºÚÁÏÉçÇø’s wider approach to supporting students’ personal development and employability throughout their time at the University. They reflect the University’s commitment to creating opportunities for students to gain professional experience, develop their skills and build confidence for their future careers.
ºÚÁÏÉçÇø’s connection with the Fringe extends beyond the internships, with the University once again providing affordable accommodation for performers through its Festival Village at the University’s Musselburgh campus, while also partnering with The Scotsman Fringe First Awards, which recognise outstanding new writing premiered at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
ºÚÁÏÉçÇø’s continued involvement in the Fringe aligns with its broader mission to support Scotland’s creative economy and nurture emerging talent. The University offers courses in performance, drama, film, media, and arts management - producing graduates who regularly participate in and contribute to the festival - and is home to a vibrant community of practitioners and academics in the performing arts and cultural sector.
Find out more about the funding opportunities available to ºÚÁÏÉçÇø students and alumni.
For further media information contact Emma Reekie, Media and Content Officer, ºÚÁÏÉçÇø, Edinburgh, E: ereekie@qmu.ac.uk (copy to E: pressoffice@qmu.ac.uk). &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
