Louis Theroux joins Edinburgh line-up

Louis Theroux is to return to Edinburgh TV Festival for the first time in almost 20 years for a session reflecting on his career.

In conversation with writer and journalist Dawn O’Porter, the BBC documentary-maker will discuss highlights such as Weird Weekends, When Louis Met… and recent docs such his Bafta-winning Altered States trio of US-set films.

Theroux will also look at the broader genre of authored documentaries, including the work of his early mentor Michael Moore, plus Nick Broomfield, Ruby Wax and the new breed of film-makers such as Stacey Dooley, Reggie Yates and self-publishers on YouTube.

O’Porter described him as “the master of factual TV”, while Festival director Lisa Campbell said that Theroux is consistently cited as an inspiration by members of the festival’s talent schemes.

“His name is synonymous with high quality, globally-renowned and ground-breaking documentary-making,” she added. “With Dawn’s journalistic questioning and good humour, When Dawn Met Louis promises to be both enlightening and entertaining.”

Theroux said: “It’s been 18 years since I was at Edinburgh TV Festival! I’m thrilled to be coming back and talking to Dawn about my favourite films and shows and opening up about my own process.”

This year’s festival also includes MP Jess Phillips in conversation with comedian Joe Lycett, plus keynotes from Hugh Laurie, Jerry Springer and Hollywood director Paul Feig.

Alaska TV creative director Ian Lamarra booked both O’Porter and Theroux.