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BANFF 2003 Wraps Up with Pay Day Presentations

The 24th Banff Television Festival came to a successful close today with Pay Day and the presentation of prizes to winners of the week's pitching competitions. Delegates numbering 1,692 from around the world took part in the Festival which featured a spectacular line-up of seminars, workshops and networking opportunities.

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George, from Athens to Beijing Takes Top Prize
in CTV Canadian Documart at BANFF 2003

For the third year in a row at the Banff Television Festival, the CTV Canadian Documart today awarded prizes totaling $100,000. The three winners presented documentary projects to a packed house of Festival delegates and 33 commissioning editors from around the world. The winners were chosen from among eight finalists. The world's richest pitch was established in partnership with CTV Inc. and the Banff Television Festival to encourage mainstream popular documentary production.

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George, from Athens to Beijing remporte le premier prix
du CTV Documart canadien, ? BANFF 2003

Pour la troisi?me ann?e cons?cutive, le CTV Documart canadien a d?cern? aujourd'hui des prix totalisant la somme de 100 000$. Les trois gagnants avaient pr?sent? des projets de documentaires ? une salle comble de festivaliers et ? 33 'commissioning editors' venus des quatre coins du monde. Les gagnants ont ?t? choisis parmi huit finalistes.

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Brilliant Journalist Thriller Wins
$50,000 Global Television Grand Prize

A journalistic thriller, charting the overthrow of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and his dramatic return to power 48 hours later, is the winner of the $50,000 Global Television Grand Prize at the 2003 Banff Rockie Awards. Chavez - Inside the Coup is a production from the Republic of Ireland, in association with broadcasters and funding agencies in the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland. It was named best in its category, Information and Current Affairs, and was the International Jury's unanimous choice for the Grand Prize, from a field of 83 programs across 14 categories.

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Un brillant 'thriller' journalistique remporte
le Grand Prix Global Television de 50 000 $

Une ?mission ? suspense, ? saveur journalistique, d?crivant le renversement du pr?sident v?n?zuelien Hugo Chavez et son retour au pouvoir 48 heures plus tard, a remport? le Grand Prix Global Television de 50 000 $, lors du Gala des Prix Rockie 2003. Chavez - Inside the Coup est une production de la R?publique d'Irlande, en association avec les t?l?diffuseurs et agences de financement du Royaume-Uni, de l'Allemagne, des Pays-Bas et de la Finlande. Elle a ?t? nomm?e meilleure ?mission de sa cat?gorie (Informations et Actualit?s) et a ?t? choisie ? l'unanimit? par le Jury international pour le Grand Prix, et ce, parmi 83 ?missions couvrant 14 cat?gories diff?rentes.

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Major Policy Focus at BANFF 2003

The 24th Banff Television Festival is featuring a week-long examination of "The State of Television". Several key reports on the future of the industry will be analyzed, discussed and debated by key industry stakeholders at specific sessions throughout the week.

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BANFF 2003 Pays Tribute to ACTRA's 60th Anniversary

In honour of the 60th Anniversary of ACTRA, The Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists, the 24th Banff Television Festival will pay special tribute to the organization throughout the week including a special presentation at Tribute night on Tuesday, June 10. BANFF 2003 will also feature an array of seminars with participation from ACTRA.

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WIFT-T's new Warner Bros. Entertainment Banff Mentorship Award to be presented at the 2003 Banff Television Festival

Women in Film and Television - Toronto (WIFT-T), Warner Bros. Canada Inc., and the Banff Television Foundation announce that the winner of this year's Warner Bros. Entertainment Banff Mentorship Award is Marike Emery of Little Dog Productions. The new annual award will be presented at Tribute! on Tuesday, June 10, as part of BANFF 2003.

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Violinist Lara St. John to Play
the 24th Banff Rockie Awards Show

Sony Classical recording artist, violinist Lara St. John will be participating in the 24th Banff Television Festival, performing at the Banff Rockie Awards Show, presented by CBC/Radio-Canada and co-hosted by Rick Mercer and Michaelle Jean. Lara St. John is one of the most adventurous performers in classical music today. She takes the music of Johann Sebastian Bach in a bold new direction on her Sony Classical debut recording Re: Bach.

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BANFF 2003 Announces Finalists for Pitching Opportunities

The Banff Television Foundation is pleased to announce the finalists in five pitching opportunities to be held at the 24th Banff Television Festival; the CTV Canadian Documart, Telefilm Canada presents The Banff Centre New Media CyberPitch, HDTV Pitch, the 19th Annual Banff International Market Simulation and the New Players Pitch.

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Showcase of Excellence Strand Returns to BANFF 2003
Featuring the Best Creative Talent in the Business

Back by popular demand, the 24th Banff Television Festival will feature the successful Showcase of Excellence strand Monday, June 9 through Thursday, June 12. Sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, this year's Showcase of Excellence features unparalleled creative talent throughout the week.

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Canadian Screenwriter Karen Walton
Awarded CTV Fellowship Prize at BANFF 2003

Karen Walton, award-winning Canadian screen and television writer, is this year's recipient of the CTV Fellowship Prize to be presented on Tuesday, June 10, during the evening's Tribute celebration, as part of the 24th annual Banff Television Festival.

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Canadian Comic Genius, Rick Mercer
to Receive Sir Peter Ustinov Award at BANFF 2003

Entertaining television audiences for over a decade with his brilliant comic talents, Gemini Award-winning actor and writer Rick Mercer is this year's recipient of the prestigious Sir Peter Ustinov Award, presented annually at the Banff Television Festival. The Award recognizes outstanding achievement in a body of work. Mercer, star of the hit shows Made in Canada and This Hour Has 22 Minutes, will accept the Award at the international Festival's 24th Banff Rockie Awards Show, presented by CBC/Radio-Canada, on Monday, June 9.

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Le g?nie canadien de la com?die, Rick Mercer,
recevra le Prix Sir Peter Ustinov ? BANFF 2003

Depuis plus d'une d?cennie, Rick Mercer divertit et fait r?fl?chir des milliers de t?l?spectateurs, s?duits par son immense talent de com?dien. Acteur et ?crivain ? succ?s, il est cette ann?e le r?cipiendaire du Prix Sir Peter Ustinov, remis annuellement au Festival de t?l?vision de Banff. Ce prix rend hommage ? l'excellence de l'ensemble d'une oeuvre. Rick Mercer, vedette des ?missions Made in Canada et This Hour Has 22 Minutes, sera pr?sent pour accepter ce prix, au 24e Gala des Prix Rockie du Festival international de t?l?vision de Banff, pr?sent? par CBC/Radio-Canada, le lundi 9 juin.

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Grand Patrons and Official Sponsors
Make Key Contributions to BANFF 2003

The Banff Television Foundation is pleased to announce the Grand Patrons and Official Sponsors of the 24th Banff Television Festival. An impressive list of six Grand Patrons and 11 Official Sponsors have made for a strong 2003 sponsorship campaign by all sectors of the media industry.

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BANFF 2003 to Address the "State of Television"
in Week-long Session Strand

Exploring the "State of Television" will be a major theme at this year's Banff Television Festival as the conference agenda introduces a week-long session strand. The sessions will take place Monday, June 9 through to Thursday, June 12, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Tuesday to Thursday) (Mountain Time) in the Theatre of the Fairmont Banff Springs Conference Centre. Each session will examine key issues related to specific genres and current and future trends in the television industry.

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Jim Murray Named 2003 Recipient of ACTRA'S
John Drainie Award to be presented at BANFF 2003

ACTRA, (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists), and the Banff Television Foundation are pleased to announce that Jim Murray has been chosen as the 2003 recipient of ACTRA's John Drainie Award. The award will be presented during the Banff Rockie Awards Show, presented by CBC/Radio-Canada, on Monday, June 9 as part of the 24th annual Banff Television Festival, June 8 to 13, 2003 in Banff, Alberta.

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"Convergence, Consolidation and Crisis"
Best-selling Canadian Author, Gordon Pitts to Deliver
CBC/Radio-Canada Keynote Address at BANFF 2003

Best-selling Canadian author, journalist, and features writer for the Globe and Mail's Report on Business, Gordon Pitts will present this year's CBC/Radio-Canada Keynote Address at the 24th Banff Television Festival. Mr. Pitts' speech, entitled "Convergence, Consolidation and Crisis," will be delivered on Monday, June 9, CBC/Radio-Canada Awards Day, as part of the Festival's Opening Ceremonies.

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"Convergence, consolidation et crise"
Gordon Pitts, auteur canadien ? succ?s, prononcera l'allocution d'ouverture de CBC/Radio-Canada ? BANFF 2003

C?l?bre auteur canadien, journaliste et r?dacteur pour la Section Affaires du Globe and Mail, "Report on Business", Gordon Pitts pr?sentera cette ann?e l'allocution d'ouverture de CBC/Radio-Canada, lors du 24e Festival de t?l?vision de Banff. Le discours de M. Pitts, intitul? "Convergence, consolidation et crise", sera donn? le lundi 9 juin, Jour des Prix CBC/Radio-Canada, dans le cadre des C?r?monies d'ouverture du Festival.

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Jamie Brown of Frantic Films Wins Lions Gate Innovative Producer Award for BANFF 2003

Independent film and documentary producer, Jamie Brown is the recipient of the 2003 Lions Gate Innovative Producer Award for the 24th Banff Television Festival. The Award celebrates innovation and entrepreneurial excellence in the Canadian television industry. A special presentation, where Lions Gate Television Inc. will award $5,000 in prize money to Mr. Brown, will take place Wednesday, June 11 (10:20 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Mountain Time) in the Van Horne Ballroom of the Fairmont Banff Springs during the CTV Canadian Documart at BANFF 2003.

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Peter Mansbridge and Cynthia Dale to Co-host Tribute Night;
A Salute to the U.S. Television Industry, Outstanding Achievement Awards and ACTRA's 60th Anniversary

CBC's award-winning news anchor Peter Mansbridge and acclaimed Canadian actress Cynthia Dale will co-host an evening of celebration on Tuesday, June 10 at the 24th Banff Television Festival's Tribute night. The evening will honour the outstanding contributions of the U.S. television industry, present BANFF 2003's awards for outstanding achievement and salute the the 60th Anniversary of ACTRA -the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists. Tribute takes place in the Van Horne Ballroom of the Fairmont Banff Springs beginning at 6:00 p.m. (Mountain Time).
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Academy of Television Arts & Sciences to be
Honoured at BANFF 2003 with Special Rockie Award

As part of the 24th Banff Television Festival's Tribute to U.S. Television, a special presentation will be made to the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in honour of its outstanding contributions to the American television industry. The presentation of a special Banff Rockie Award will take place on Tuesday, June 10 during the evening's Tribute! celebrations. Accepting the award on behalf of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences will be the organization's chairman, Bryce Zabel. The award will be presented by Colin Robertson, Canada's Consul General in Los Angeles.
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For More Information:

Heidi Bobiak
Communications Manager
Banff Television Foundation

Sarah Pearson
Communications Assistant
Banff Television Foundation

Canadian Television Fund CTV Inc. CBC / Radio-Canada Global Television Network Alberta Foundation for the Arts Telefilm Canada

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