CSI Mastermind Anthony E. Zuiker Imparts Experience at BANFF 2005
BANFF confirms 110+ global programming decision makers and counting
Attendance running ahead of 2004; Mountain Wrap event announced
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| 2005-05-16 - Banff, Canada |
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.
“The phenomenal success of the CSI franchise is the stuff of legend in the global TV industry,” said Robert Montgomery, CEO of the Banff World Television Festival. “There’s no doubt we all have a lot to learn from Anthony Zuiker. His presence at the Banff World Television Festival will inspire the creation of great television for the future.”
Few have experienced the overnight success that Anthony Zuiker has encountered in Hollywood. Creator of the mega-hit television series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Zuiker has become one of the most coveted screen and television writers in the business. Just eight years ago, the aspiring writer worked as a tram driver at the famed Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas while developing his first feature script The Runner, a look at the underground world of Las Vegas sports betting. Distributed by First Look Pictures in 1998, The Runner starred Ron Eldard, Courteney Cox, John Goodman and Joe Mantegna and put Anthony Zuiker on the map. Today, Zuiker is credited as creator of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and, along with fellow producers Carol Mendelsohn and Anne Donahue, co-creator of CSI: Miami and CSI: NY. Zuiker currently serves as showrunner for CSI: NY as well as executive producer for all three programs in the CSI franchise. The block-buster success of the CSI franchise has helped earned CBS the coveted spot as the number one rated network in the US. Alliance Atlantis has successfully sold the CSI franchise to over 170 countries worldwide.
The Banff World Television Festival also announced today that 110 programming decision-makers representing broadcasters from 15 countries have confirmed their participation in this year’s event, including 30 from the United States. This unprecedented gathering will play a central role in this year’s Festival offering all delegates an excellent opportunity to make deals in an environment akin to a hotbed of production ideas.
The organizers have cast a wide net, reaching out to more broadcasters and programming decision makers than ever before. Their attendance provides a unique chance for producers and fellow broadcasters to pitch projects and discuss collaboration. Representing a broad range of interests and genres, these broadcasters are responsible for hundreds of millions of dollars of original programming on an annual basis. A growing list of programming decision-makers scheduled to attend the Festival this June is available at http://www.banff2005.com/broadcasters.php.
These broadcasters will be accessible to all delegates via the all new broadcaster briefings from the world’s key players, and a plethora of facilitated meeting opportunities between and amongst these broadcasters and producers, including scheduled one-on-one meetings and mealtime networking. The presence of the broadcasters and their participation in the one-on-one sessions is an initiative is generously supported by Canadian Heritage Trade Routes, Foreign Affairs Canada, the Ontario Media Development Corporation and International Trade.
The organizers furthermore announced that confirmed attendance for the Banff World Television Festival running at a pace exceeding that of the 2004 event, which saw attendance of 1,300 industry participants from around the world. Registration includes a packed schedule of conference sessions, networking opportunities and complementary access to the nextMEDIA: The International Interactive Media Festival scheduled for June 11 - 13.
Finally, the rebirth of BANFF’s world famous closing event was also announced today. The “That’s a Wrap” mountain celebration will take place at the spectacular Mount Norquay after conference sessions draw to a close on the afternoon of Wednesday, June 15. This closing celebration will feature the high-energy sounds of Souls in Rhythm as well as a great Canadian barbeque.
For complete details and to register for the Banff World Television Festival, go to www.banff2005.com.
For complete details and to register for nextMEDIA, go to www.nextmedia2005.com.
About The Banff World Television Festival The Banff World Television Festival is owned by the Banff Television Festival Foundation and is produced by Achilles Media Ltd. on behalf of the Foundation's Board of Directors. The Festival's Board of Governors is international in scope and represents the crème de la crème of producers and broadcasters. Achilles Media is a management organization for some of the world's leading television and new media industry events including the Banff World Television Festival, the World Congress of History Producers and nextMEDIA - The International Interactive Media Festival. |
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| For Information: |
Sarah Pearson
Communications Manager
1- ext. 103
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