Media Coverage

TV 'responsible' for Rwandan genocide

BANFF NEWS: During a moving keynote speech, former UN Force Commander Roméo Dallaire held the international media accountable for the atrocities in Rwanda, telling a packed room of TV execs: “You cannot abdicate the potential power you have in the world. That instrument is responsible for nurturing the slaughter of hundreds of thousands of human beings.” Dallaire spoke Monday during the opening ceremonies of the Banff World Television Festival. He is the best-selling author and highly-decorated Canadian Forces lieutenant-general who served as the Force Commander of the United Nations spearheading a small mission to Rwanda in 1994. His pleas for international military support and media coverage were virtually ignored as over 800k people were savagely slaughtered within 100 days.  (Subscription Required) Read the Full Article

Telefilm, CBC put up $2m for feature docs

BANFF NEWS: Here in the Rockies, federal funder Telefilm Canada has teamed up with pubcaster CBC to roll out a funding initiative to boost the development, production and completion of theatrical feature-length documentaries. Telefilm is committing C$1.5m (US$1.1m) and the CBC will contribute C$500k (US$399k) toward English-language production projects. One third of the funding will be for French-language docs and two thirds is ear-marked for English-language fare. This is the first time the two entities have teamed on such a venture, and it will launch as a one-year pilot programme for 2005/06. A statement from Telefilm said that staffers from both agencies will evaluate production projects jointly, based on eligibility and assessment criteria currently under discussion.  (Subscription Required) Read the Full Article

More than FourDocs for Channel 4?

Launching first sight of the new FourDocs portal at this week's nextMEDIA festival in Banff, executive editor Patrick Uden said the format for the new broadcaster-funded internet site provides a template for development of other IP-delivered channels, most likely comedy hitting first. The FourDocs pre-launch site went live yesterday, the first stage designed to attract four-minute film submissions from the general public, which will contribute to the full channel launch in late summer.  (Subscription Required) Read the Full Article

BBC scales Banff TV fest with six Rockie awards

By Etan Vlessing BANFF, Alberta -- The BBC was the big winner at the 26th Banff Rockie Awards on Monday night, when its programming captured six trophies, including the grand prize for "Blackpool," a miniseries about a gambling hall in a seaside resort. U.S. producers took home three Rockie awards, including nods for "Desperate Housewives," named the best continuing series, and PBS' "Frontline: Ghosts of Rwanda," which earned the best political documentary award. But the traditional Banff Rockie award shootout between U.S. and British producers never materialized this year. Instead, British independent producers dominated — earning trophies for best information and current affairs for "Panorama: The New Killing Fields" and the best lifestyle program award for "What Not to Wear: Teenage Daughters."  (Subscription Required) Read the Full Article

Focus on business at '05 Banff

By Etan Vlessing BANFF, Canada -- With spirits buoyed by the return of the Americans to a rebranded Banff World Television Festival, the annual TV talk shop this week spawned a bustling market for TV shows co-produced with international partners for the U.S. market. Bill Kurtis ("American Justice"), A&E host and head of Kurtis Prods., is in Banff looking for a Canadian independent producer to shoot a documentary that follows Kurtis on a return to Vietnam with a young woman he helped airlift to freedom as a baby in 1975 during the dramatic fall of Saigon. "She's 30 years old now, I've followed her as she's grown up, and now we're going back to possibly find her mother who gave her up for adoption," the former Vietnam newsman said.  (Subscription Required) Read the Full Article

Canadian pay nets up drama strategy

BANFF NEWS: Canadian pay movie channels TMN and Movie Central are on the hunt for franchise, scripted series as the two nets position themselves as Canada's answer to HBO. The two Canuck channels now want to be the first port of call for producers looking to develop "strong drama concepts that push the envelope." Eastern Canada’s The Movie Network (owned by Astral Media) and Corus Entertainment’s Western Canadian channel Movie Central are strengthening their mandate to work together to commission independent productions. “By working closely with producers on projects that feature the strong creative and high-calibre talent that our audiences have come to expect, we have established a model that works on many levels - for viewers, producers and our networks,” said Andrew Eddy, vp and gm for Movie Central.  (Subscription Required) Read the Full Article

BBC picks up six Rockies

BANFF NEWS: The BBC has cleaned up at the 26th Banff Rockie Awards, winning the C$50,000 Global Television Grand Prize as well as six category awards for shows including drama Blackpool and fact-ent effort What Not to Wear. Blackpool picked up best miniseries for the corporation as well as voted best-of-festival by an international jury. Banff’s founding chairman, Fil Fraser, said the drama "stood out… by virtue of its highly creative and innovative synthesis of music and drama in the exploration of human relationships." Fraser even went to on say the drama defined "nothing less than a new genre of television programming." The BBC also took home Rockies for Panorama: The New Killing Fields (Best Information & Current Affairs); What Not to Wear (Best Lifestyle); Flashmob: The Opera (Best Performance); Dragon's Den (Best Unscripted Entertainment) and Storyville: House of Saud, a copro with Arte France (Best History & Biography).  (Subscription Required) Read the Full Article

Canuck unions demand more drama cash

BANFF NEWS: Despite strong evidence that the market for indigenous Canadian TV drama is ramping up after a multi-year slump, the country's actors, writers and directors unions say fat-cat broadcasters should still pony up more money for homegrown programming. A report released here at the Banff TV Festival by the Coalition of Canadian Audio-Visual Unions (CCAU) says spending on Canadian television drama has plummeted since 1999, with 2004 recording the lowest level in seven years. The report says that spending by Canada’s English-language private broadcasters bottomed out at C$53.6m (US$43m) in 2004, from a high of C$73m (US$58m) in 1998, and that’s unacceptable according to Peter Murdoch, co-chair of the CCAU.  (Subscription Required) Read the Full Article

History and Science Congresses unite

BANFF NEWS: Last November the World Congress of Science Producers made a controversial decision to step into The World Congress of History Producer’s corner of the market. Now a new deal between the once rival events has been ironed out. Here in Banff, The World Congress of Science Producers (WCSP) and the World Congress of History Producers (WCHP) announced a joint strategy that involves teaming up on the planning, marketing, promotion and administration of both events. The organizers of both confabs are now agreeing to cross-promote their events in 2005, and further collaborate in 2006.  (Subscription Required) Read the Full Article

BBC and Finland Win Banff Rockie Awards

It was a record-shattering night for the British Broadcasting Corporation at the 26th Banff Rockie Awards: Its programs won the $50,000 Global Television Grand Prize and half-a-dozen category awards at the world's most inclusive and prestigious international program competition. The BBC's Blackpool was named best-of-festival by a blue-ribbon international jury led by Banff's founding chairman, Fil Fraser. "Blackpool stood out in an excellent competitive field by virtue of its highly creative and innovative synthesis of music and drama in the exploration of human relationships," said Fraser. "What emerges in this production is nothing less than a new genre of television programming, a major step forward in advancing the kind of quality television that this festival was born to celebrate." Blackpool also won the Banff Rockie for Best Mini-Series.  Read the Full Article

Canada urges one TV fund overseer

By Etan Vlessing TORONTO -- The federal government on Sunday recommended that control of the Canadian Television Fund, the main source of public subsidies for independent TV producers here, be removed from the hands of Canadian cablecasters and satellite operators and be placed solely with Telefilm Canada. Liz Frulla, the federal heritage minister, told the Banff World Television Festival that the CTF should have one administrative body with one set of directors, rather than two administrations with two boards of directors, as at present.  (Subscription Required) Read the Full Article

CTF overhaul bodes well for Canuck industry

BANFF NEWS: The Banff World Television Festival kicked off Sunday with a major announcement regarding the Canadian Television Fund, the country's largest television production subsidy. After renewing the C$100m (US$80m) commitment to the CTF for another year, extending support to 2006/07, Canada’s Heritage Minister Liza Frulla used the Banff fest as a platform to pledge that she would work with her cabinet colleagues toward attaining long-term federal government funding in the upcoming 2006 federal budget. Naturally, this was met with applause from the Canadian production industry; however the good news did not stop there. The Minister also announced that there would be changes regarding the governance of the CTF.  (Subscription Required) Read the Full Article

Big American turnout augurs spirited Banff

By Etan Vlessing TORONTO -- The Americans are set to make their biggest-ever showing at the Banff World Television Festival, which kicks off Sunday, and organizers anticipate a lively TV development market with their presence. "We've never had as many Americans as we have coming this year," Robert Montgomery, festival CEO, said Thursday of the annual Canadian TV bazaar devoted to selling ideas for new TV content rather than finished product as at NATPE or the two MIPs. "There's a premium on ideas for television and the Americans are seeking us out to find them," he added.  (Subscription Required) Read the Full Article

Banff TV Fest Reborn

Think of it as speed dating for budding TV executives. The Banff World Television Festival has undergone a major makeover after staving off bankruptcy and has opted for a bold new image as matchmaker. "We kind of think of ourselves as Lavalife for the television industry," said festival CEO Robert Montgomery of Achilles Media, which took over the festival in April 2004 — just weeks before its 25th anniversary.  Read the Full Article

Michael Geddes of Lone Eagle Entertainment Awarded Innovative Producer Award

Reality-television visionary Michael Geddes of Lone Eagle Entertainment has won the 2005 Lions Gate/Maple Pictures Innovative Producer Award. The Award, to be presented at the Banff World Television Festival June 12 - 15, celebrates innovation and entrepreneurial excellence in the Canadian television industry. Kevin Beggs, President, Lions Gate Television and Brad Pelman, Co-President, Maple Pictures Corp. will award $5,000 in prize money to Geddes at a special Awards Luncheon to be held on Monday, June 13th.  Read the Full Article

BANFF 2005 Announces Finalists for Pitching Opportunities

The Banff World Television Festival is pleased to announce the finalists in five pitching opportunities taking place throughout the Festival June 12 – 15, 2005: the CTV Canadian Documart, iPitch, HDTV Pitch, Pitchers Paradise and New Players Pitch. Pitching opportunities provide valuable exposure to a wide audience of programming decision-makers, producers, financial executives and other industry representatives, as well as various development funding awards. These finalists will have the rare opportunity to try to make their ideas become reality in a one-of-a-kind, career-making moment. More than $125,000 worth of prizes will be awarded. Read the Full Article

Banff Festival to Present Deluxe Technical Achievement Award to Panasonic Canada

Recognized as an industry leader for its development of cutting-edge HD technology, Panasonic is this year's distinguished recipient of the Deluxe Outstanding Technical Achievement Award. Panasonic will be honoured at a special awards luncheon scheduled for June 13, 2005, during the Banff World Television Festival, June 12 – 15.  Read the Full Article

C21 rolls out Schedule Watch 'live at Banff'

C21 will get inside the minds of the world's top programmers and commissioning editors at this year's Banff World Television Festival through a series of exclusive C21 Schedule Watch Broadcaster Briefing sessions taking place throughout the four-day event. With roughly a month to go before the fest in the Rockies kicks off on June 12, 110 programming decision-makers representing broadcasters from 15 countries have confirmed their participation at this year's event, including 30 attendees from US channels.  (Subscription Required) Read the Full Article

CSI's Zuiker to attend Banff

The Banff World Television Festival, kicking of June 12, is boasting a line-up of industry heavy-hitters, including the creator of the uber-successful crime investigation series CSI. Monday, organizers of the Banff World Television Festival announced that Anthony E Zuiker, creator and executive producer of CBS’ CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, will join the line-up of ‘Masters’ attending the festival. A special hour-long session with Zuiker will take place on Monday, June 13. In addition, Zuiker will present a tribute to Alliance Atlantis, co-producer and worldwide distributor (excluding the US) of the CSI franchise and winner of this year’s Global Television Outstanding Achievement Award.  (Subscription Required) Read the Full Article

CSI Creator to Present at BANFF 2005

Continuing its longstanding tradition of hosting television's hottest creative talent, the Banff World Television Festival has announced Anthony E. Zuiker, creator and executive producer of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, will join the stellar line-up of Masters attending the Festival this June. A special "60 Minutes with Anthony E. Zuiker" will take place on Monday, June 13. In addition, Zuiker will present a tribute to Alliance Atlantis, co-producer and worldwide distributor (excluding the US) of the CSI franchise and winner of this year's Global Television Outstanding Achievement Award at a special awards luncheon also scheduled for June 13.  Read the Full Article

U.S. turnout widens Banff market value

By Etan Vlessing TORONTO -- The Banff World Television Festival is on its way to becoming more of a commercial TV market, with the organizers successfully recruiting leading American programmers to the event. Robert Montgomery, CEO of the festival, said the U.S. contingent set to attend the annual TV industry gathering will be the largest ever as Europeans look to do deals there.  (Subscription Required) Read the Full Article

Documentary on Rwandan genocide among 19 Cdn nominations for Rockie awards

CALGARY (CP) - The powerful documentary Shake Hands With the Devil: The Journey of Romeo Dallaire is one of a record 19 Canadian productions nominated for Rockie awards at the Banff Television Festival. The 91-minute film chronicles the Rwanda genocide through the eyes of the retired Canadian general who tried in vain to get the world's attention and halt the slaughter of hundreds of thousands of people. It won the audience award for best documentary at the Sundance Film Festival in January.  Read the Full Article

U.K. fare rules Rockie noms

By TAMSEN TILLSON TORONTO -- The nominees for the 26th Banff Rockie Awards were unannounced Tuesday, with TV programming from 17 countries competing for C$75,000 ($61,000) in prize money. U.K. fare led the field with 35 nods, and took all the noms in the new reality category. Two U.K. reality nominees, "Colonial House" and "Regency House Party," are co-productions with the U.S., which bagged 19 noms. In the continuing series category, "Six Feet Under," "Desperate Housewives" and "Deadwood" will duke it out with the U.K.'s "Spooks" (known as "MI-5" Stateside) and Canada's "Da Vinci's Inquest." Canuck fare received 19 nods, dominating in the animated and comedy categories. Other multiple nominees include France, with nine noms, including in arts documentaries and information and current affairs; and Japan, which received six noms, three vying for the family & youth Rockie. The 97 nominees for 17 statuettes were selected from close to 900 programs submitted. The winners will be announced June 13. The Banff World Television Festival runs June 12-15.  (Subscription Required) Read the Full Article

Dallaire film up for Rockie award

The powerful documentary Shake Hands With the Devil: The Journey of Romeo Dallaire is one of a record 19 Canadian productions nominated for Rockie awards at the Banff Television Festival. The 91-minute film chronicles the Rwanda genocide through the eyes of the retired Canadian general who tried in vain to get the world's attention. It won the audience award for best documentary at the Sundance Film Festival in January. Recently released on video, the documentary by Toronto filmmaker Peter Raymont is among 97 nominees from 17 countries competing for the Rockies. Canada is in the running for 19 Rockies as sole producer or in co-productions, including four entries from the National Film Board.  (Subscription Required) Read the Full Article

U.S. Shows in Running for Rockies

Home Box Office's Desperate Housewives, Deadwood and Curb Your Enthusiasm and PBS' Frontline were among the 19 U.S. produced or co-produced TV shows nominated for the Banff (Canada) World Television Festival's Rockie Awards for outstanding programs in a variety of categories. Almost nine hundred shows from 17 countries were submitted, and 97 nominated, for the prizes, which will be handed out June 13 during the annual Banff TV festival June 12-15. The shows are competing for individual category awards, plus a $50,000 Global TV grand prize. In addition, HDTV programs are eligible for a $25,000 President's Prize, sponsored by NHK  (Subscription Required) Read the Full Article

Nominees for the 26th annual Banff World Television Festival's Banff Rockie Awards Announced

The nominees for the 26th annual Banff World Television Festival's Banff Rockie Awards were announced yesterday. The international competition features a range of categories, a full list of categories and nominees can be found at, http://www.banff2005.com/programs.php?s=nom . This year the Banff World Television Festival will be held June 12-15, 2005 as always in the Canadian Rockies, with the winners being announced at the Banff Rockie Awards Show on June 13. Banff Rockie Awards Nominees in some of the kid relevant categories: Family & Youth Programs: Title (country) broadcaster Asia In A Child's Eye (Japan), NHK; Brat Camp (UK), Channel 4; Extracurricular Lesson: Tell Us About Your Life: Conquer the World with Smile Power! (Japan), NHK; A Grass-Roots Teacher (Japan) Hokuriku Broadcasting Co. Ltd.; I Sit Where I Want: The Legacy of Brown V. Board of Education (US), The N; Passionate Eye: Hana's Suitcase: An Odyssey of Hope (Canada), CBC TV Children's Programs: Title (country) broadcaster The Magic Tree: Wooden Dog (Poland), TVP1; My Life as a Popat: Health is Wealth (UK), ITV; Noah & Saskia: Ep 1&2-Tomorrow Never Knows/The Very Real and Excellent Adventures of Max Hammer (Australia & UK), ABC, BBC; Pride (US/UK), A&E Network; Unfabulous: The 66th Day (US), Nickelodeon.  (Subscription Required) Read the Full Article

BANFF WORLD TELEVISION FESTIVAL'S MASTER SESSION PRESENTERS AND CASE STUDIES TO INCLUDE ENCLAVE OF WORLD RENOWNED DIRECTORS, WRITERS, PRODUCERS

A global hub for those hoping to network with television's hottest commodities, the Banff World Television Festival has announced a stellar lineup of presenters for its famed master sessions and case studies. The Festival—which takes place June 12 – 15—will welcome directors Jon Cassar and Jeremy Podeswa among its growing list of noteworthy participants. Though Cassar's credits include La Femme Nikita and Mutant X, he is perhaps best known for his work as Director/Co-Executive Producer of FOX's Emmy and Golden Globe-winning drama, 24. Podeswa's credits include Showtime's wildly popular series, The L Word, and HBO hits, Carnivàle and Six Feet Under.  Read the Full Article

Banff Lines Up 24, L Word Directors for Master Sessions

The Banff World Television Festival has lined up, among others, Jon Cassar, director and co-executive producer of 24; and Jeremy Podeswa, director of Showtime’s The L Word, to participate in its master sessions. Also slated to participate in the Q&A sessions are Academy Award and Emmy-nominated filmmaker Lionel Chetwynd; FOX Reality Channel COO and general manager David Lyle; director, producer and writer Patricia Rozema; and producer Peter Raymont, among others.  Read the Full Article

Banff TV festival slates Q&As

The Banff World Television Festival lineup of presenters for its master sessions and case studies will include "24" director/co-exec producer Jon Cassar and "Six Feet Under" and "Carnivale" helmer Jeremy Podeswa. Attendees at the fest, to be held June 12-15, also will have the chance to question filmmaker Lionel Chetwynd; Fox Reality Channel chief operating officer-G.M. David Lyle; director, producer and writer Patricia Rozema; and producer Peter Raymont, among others. The fest's goal is "to get attendees face to face with executives whose experience can provide a compelling, timely and relevant insight into the world's television climate," said Banff CEO Robert Montgomery. Banff's master sessions and case studies consist of hourlong programs in which VIP guests engage in moderated Q&A sessions. Go to Banff2005.com for the full breakdown of master sessions and case studies.  (Subscription Required) Read the Full Article

BANFF WORLD TELEVISION FESTIVAL TO HONOUR ALLIANCE ATLANTIS

The Banff World Television Festival has announced that it will present its prestigious Global Television Outstanding Achievement Award to Alliance Atlantis, one of Canada’s leading specialty broadcasters. Alliance Atlantis has more than earned its glowing reputation as a dynamic and innovative media conglomerate. Over the past 27 years, Alliance Atlantis and its predecessor companies have made an important contribution to Canadian culture. The company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Michael MacMillan, will attend the Festival——which takes place June 12-15 — to accept the honour during a very special awards luncheon.  Read the Full Article

Alliance Atlantis Honored at Banff

Alliance Atlantis will receive the Global Television Outstanding Achievement Award at this year's Banff World Television Festival, which takes place from June 12 to 15. The company's chairman and CEO, Michael MacMillan, will accept the award at a special luncheon.  Read the Full Article

Alliance Atlantis awarded Global Television Outstanding Achievement Award

BANFF – The Banff World Television Festival has announced that it will present its prestigious Global Television Outstanding Achievement Award to Alliance Atlantis, one of Canada's leading specialty broadcasters. Over the past 27 years, Alliance Atlantis and its predecessor companies have made an important contribution to Canadian culture. The company's chairman and chief executive officer, Michael MacMillan, will attend the Festival — which takes place June 12-15 — to accept the honour during a very special awards luncheon.  Read the Full Article

sharper picture

By Steve Brennan Banff is on steroids. The Banff World Television Festival, which has been held amid the snowy Rocky Mountains in the picturesque Canadian town of Banff for past quarter of a century, has muscled up for its 26th edition in June. Once a fairly sleepy affair, the festival, under new CEO Robert Montgomery, is likely to see some serious deal-making this year. Montgomery, who took over as head of the festival last year amid a financial crisis that threatened its future, has orchestrated a core shift in the nature of the conference, with hundreds of key broadcast executives and producers from all over the world getting a chance to meet and set deals in one-on-one sessions.  (Subscription Required) Read the Full Article

Banff shakes hands with the Devil

This year, the Banff World Television Festival will examine the far-reaching scope of news and factual programming with keynote speaker Roméo Dallaire, author of Shake Hands With The Devil. Dallaire is the best-selling author and highly-decorated Canadian Forces lieutenant-general who was the catalyst behind an award-winning documentary on the atrocities committed in Rwanda.  (Subscription Required) Read the Full Article

Banff Announces Speakers Dallaire, Raymont

BANFF, March 16: The Banff World Television Festival has announced that author and soldier Romeo Dallaire will be keynote speaker at the event. In addition, documentary maker and writer Peter Raymont, who featured Dallaire in one of his films, will talk about his work as a filmmaker. Dallaire is a decorated Canadian Forces lieutenant-general who served as the force commander of the United Nations Assistance Mission to Rwanda. He wrote an account of his experiences during the Rwandan genocide in Shake Hands With The Devil, The Failure of Humanity in Rwanda. That book, in turn, inspired Raymont's documentary about Dallaire, Shake Hands with the Devil: The Journey of Roméo Dallaire.  Read the Full Article

Banff Fest keys up ex-UN official

Former Canadian Forces Lieutenant-General Romeo Dallaire will be the keynote speaker June 13 at this year's Banff World Television Festival, it was announced Tuesday.  (Subscription Required) Read the Full Article

CTV to award 30 fellowships for the Banff World Television Festival

BANFF, AB – CTV along with the Banff World Television Festival announced today that CTV will continue its long-standing sponsorship of 30 fellowships for the Banff World Television Festival this year. The CTV Fellowships provide professional development, networking and mentorship opportunities for up-and-coming talent in support of television projects from across Canada by enabling winners to attend the 2005 Banff World Television Festival from June 12-15.  Read the Full Article

International markets eyed by renamed Banff World TV Festival, says Montgomery

The annual television festival is putting more of a focus on international players, and is expanding into new program areas such as reality television, news and lifestyle programming, according to Achilles Media principal Robert Montgomery. With its new name the Banff World Television Festival, he says that the June 12-15 event will also offer more opportunities for peer-to-peer and face-to-face sessions whereby creators and broadcasters can network. "There was a view that Banff was an international event and that the name should reflect that to reaffirm its status with non-Canadians who attend, and frankly to let Canadians know that they have the important international event that happens in their backyard," states Montgomery. "The sessions this year will cover a lot of topics around funding and how producers and indeed broadcasters can look at other options to fill the void or gaps in the production funding," he noted. "And we’ll be looking at high definition in detail, and there is a tag line for the event, which is ‘Where great television is born,’ but this year’s event is focusing on ‘Tuning in the world, turning on the future.’ So we will definitely be talking about international co-production and where Canada fits in the world in that regard."  (Subscription Required) Read the Full Article

Jumping on the BANFF wagon, Topper Montgomery gives old event new lease of life

By TAMSEN TILLSON - Banff TV Festival's new helmer, Robert Montgomery, has been busily reinventing the event since galloping in to save it after last year's brush with bankruptcy. Now, he says, Banff is just about ready for the big reveal.  (Subscription Required) Read the Full Article

Banff boasts programming prizes

Just one week until the deadline for entries into this year's Banff Rockie Awards, and the fest in the Canadian West is touting its cash prizes, with development money up for grabs through several awards and pitching competitions. Read the Full Article

Banff rebrands

The Banff Television Festival is putting on a fresh face, following an extensive rebranding exercise that has changed the event.s name and focus. Read the Full Article

The Banff World Television Festival (new name, new projects)

The Banff Television Festival Foundation announced today a new name for its annual event: The Banff World Television Festival, accompanied by a new theme line: Where great television is born. This revitalization complements new Festival initiatives designed to increase opportunities for broadcasters and producers alike, including a comprehensive forum on international collaboration and co-production, and the facilitation of extensive one-on-one meetings between and amongst producers and broadcasters.  Read the Full Article

Banff Mentorship Award Program open to applications

Women in Film and Television . Toronto (WIFT-T) has announced a call for applications for the third annual Warner Bros. Canada Banff Mentorship Award, presented in partnership with Warner Bros. Canada Inc. and in association with the Banff Television Festival. Read the Full Article

Be nice, we have an award now

The Banff Television Festival and Playback have joined up to salute the best in Canadian television, and in June will hand out a new Best Canadian prize as part of the fest's annual Rockie Awards. (Subscription Required) 

Banff boosts co-pro agenda

The Banff Television Festival will feature a revitalized focus on international collaboration and co-production, as well as a new slate of sessions and professional development streams. Read the Full Article

Achilles revamps Banff fest

Canada's premier television event is getting a facelift. Robert Montgomery, CEO of the Banff Television Festival, says producers and broadcasters can expect a more integrated business focus, with increased pitching opportunities, one-on-one sessions, greater participation from emerging talent, and additional screenings for Banff 2005. (Subscription Required) 

Banff TV fest to focus on co-prods

The future of the TV biz and international collaboration and co-production will be the key themes of the 2005 Banff TV Festival, skedded for June 12-15. (Subscription Required) Read the Full Article

Banff kicks off Rockie drive

The campaign for entries to the 26th Banff Rockie Awards is officially on, with this year.s competition featuring three new categories . Feature Length Documentaries, Lifestyle Programmes and Unscripted Entertainment Programmes. Read the Full Article