This is what the organisers of Sheffield's Sensoria festival have planned for this year's event

Covid-19 restrictions and concerns about the impact of potential new variants mean it is an extraordinarily difficult time to plan any sort of event, let alone a festival.

As a result, Jo Wingate, the director of Sensoria – the UK’s festival of music and film – is hoping that by making the 2021 offering a “hybrid” event it will put them in good stead should there be any further Covid-19 shutdowns.

"Just because of the general feel we’re going to make a couple of the events outdoors, because it’s better for public health,” said Jo.

Discussions around which locations specifically will be used are ongoing, but Jo says her “ideal” would be for an outdoor event to be held in the city centre, as well as something in one of Sheffield’s green spaces.

Each year, the organisers of Sensoria select themes that run through all of its events and this year’s will be “better together” and “super nature,” the latter of which was chosen because of the way people have reconnected with nature during lockdown, says Jo.

In previous years, Sensoria has hosted events in outdoors locations such as Hathersage Swimming Pool, for a “dive in” event, as well as the city’s South Street amphitheatre and the Magna Science Adventure Centre, located at the site of a disused steel mill in Rotherham.

Jo is one of the festival’s founders and says it was created in the “intersection” between music and film, and showcases the symbiotic relationship between the two.

She has previously worked as a deputy director at Sheffield Doc Fest and Head of Communications at the Showroom and Workstation; and says that while Sensoria is a national festival it is still “very grounded in Sheffield.”

"There’s a big wealth of talent here in the city,” said Jo.

Since its inception in 2008, Sensoria has attracted big names including Christopher Eccleston, Bill Drummond, Richard Hawley, Forgemasters, Chris and Cosey, Laurie Anderson, Jlin, DJ Stingray as well as Sheffield icons Jarvis Cocker and Richard Hawley.

Jo says Richard has continued to support the festival since first becoming involved with it more than a decade ago.

The “pro” part of the festival brings together composers, filmmakers, music publishers, music supervisors, games developers to discuss developments in the industry.

Sensoria also seeks to champion “young talent.”

"We try to make space for the next generation of promoters and artists,” said Jo, adding that they are given opportunities to put on events.

As preparations continue, Sensoria is accepting submissions from artists in the “realms of music, video and digital,” and Jo says they have already had a lot of interest.

It costs nothing to submit, and those interested in entering work should email [email protected]

Jo encourages those with questions to get in touch, and says Sensoria can help anyone hoping to submit work – irrespective of what stage they are at.

The deadline is April 23.

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In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.