Archived Announcements

Banff World Television Festival Announces 2008 Special Jury Nominees

Award-wining actor Colm Feore to Chair International Jury
Toronto, Canada - May 21, 2008 - Colm Feore will preside over the International Jury at the 29th Banff World Television Festival.
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Brent Butt to receive The Comedy Network Sir Peter Ustinov Award at the 2008 Banff World Television Festival

Corner Gas Star to Accept the Honour at the Festival on June 9, 2008
Toronto, Canada, May 15, 2008- The Banff World Television Festival will present The Comedy Network Sir Peter Ustinov Award to CTV star Brent Butt on June 9th, 2008 at the 29th edition of the Banff World Television Festival.
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ABC Studios Wins The Banff World Television Festival's 2008 Outstanding Achievement Award

Studio President Mark Pedowitz to Accept the Honor at the Festival on June 9, 2008
Toronto, Canada, May 6, 2008– The Banff World Television Festival will present its 2008 Outstanding Achievement Award to ABC Studios on June 9th, 2008 at the 29th edition of the Banff World Television Festival.
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Kim Cattrall to Receive NBC Universal Award of Distinction at 2008 Banff World Television Festival

Toronto, ON (Canada), April 29, 2008 – Kim Cattrall will receive the NBC Universal Award of Distinction at the 29th edition of the Banff World Television Festival, which takes place at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Alberta, Canada, June 8 – 11, 2008.
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Banff World Television Festival announces new Discovery Channel-NFB Award for Feature Documentary

Toronto, April 23, 2008 – The Banff World Television Festival announced today the Discovery Channel/NFB Feature Documentary Pitch. A jury will award $15,000 to a producer/filmmaker that will present their project at Pitch It! at this year’s event, which takes place at the Banff Fairmont Springs, in Banff, Canada, from June 8-11, 2008.
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Banff World Television Festival Announces Nominees for the 29th Annual Awards

London, England -- The Banff World Television Festival, announced today the nominees for the 29th annual Banff World Television Awards, at an event held in partnership with the Alberta U.K. office at the High Commission of Canada in London, England. International award-winning Producer Jon Plowman, (also the recipient of the 2008 Banff World Television Lifetime Achievement Award) announced the 100 nominees selected from the more than 900 entries received this year in 22 program categories. Read Full Story

Banff World Television Festival Announces Additions to the 2008 Master Class Lineup - Jason Katims, Executive Producer/Showrunner Friday Night Lights, and Alan Poul, Executive Producer, Swingtown Will Join Previously Announced Roster

The Banff World Television Festival announced today that Jason Katims, Executive Producer and Showrunner of the hit show "Friday Night Lights" and Alan Poul, Executive Producer of "Swingtown" will join the roster of high profile industry executives who will be taking part in the 2008 Master Class sessions at the 29th edition of the Banff World Television Festival, which takes place at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Alberta, Canada, June 8-11, 2008.
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Banff World Television Festival Announces 2008 Master Class Lineup to include: Doug Ellin, Creator/Executive Producer, Entourage; Hart Hanson, Creator/Showrunner, Bones; Michael Poryes, Creator/Executive Producer Hannah Montana; Stephanie Savage, Executive Producer/Co-Showrunner, Gossip Girl; Craig Wright, Creator/Showrunner, Dirty Sexy Money

Adding to its growing list of celebrated, high-profile speakers, the Banff World Television Festival confirms Doug Ellin, Creator/Executive Producer, "Entourage"; Stephanie Savage, Executive Producer/Co-Showrunner, "Gossip Girl"; Hart Hanson, Creator/Showrunner, "Bones"; Michael Poryes, Creator/Executive Producer Hannah Montana; and Craig Wright, Creator/Showrunner, "Dirty Sexy Money", for its 2008 Master Class sessions at the 29th edition of the Banff World Television Festival, which takes place at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Alberta, Canada, June 8 - 11, 2008. Read Full Story

Banff World Television Festival announces renowned social and economic theorist, Professor Richard Florida, will deliver CBC/Radio Canada Opening Keynote speech

The Banff World Television Festival announced today that renowned social theorist Richard Florida will be the CBC/Radio Canada Opening Keynote Speaker at this year's Banff World Television Festival which takes place at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Alberta, Canada, June 8-11, 2008. Read Full Story

The Banff World Television Festival and Canwest partner to support the Canadian television industry with the launch of two ground-breaking programs

The Banff World Television Festival and Canwest announced today two programs that aim to build a solid foundation for the development and future success of innovative home-grown television series.The Canwest Emerging Writers Program and the Canwest Showrunner Training Program has been developed to enhance, nurture and encourage writers and producers to grow the television series business in Canada. Read Full Story

Malcolm Wall, Chief Executive Officer, Content Division for Virgin Media will deliver the Banff/nextMEDIA Crossover Keynote Address

Malcolm Wall, Chief Executive Officer, Content Division for Virgin Media will deliver the Banff/nextMEDIA Crossover Keynote address to Banff and nextMEDIA delegates attending this year's events. Mr. Wall's Keynote address will be delivered to delegates on Sunday June 8, 2008. Malcolm Wall is responsible for the day to day running of the Company's content business. Read Full Story

CRTC Chair Konrad von Finckenstein

The 29th annual Banff World Television Festival is honoured to welcome back Mr. Konrad von Finckenstein, Q.C., Chairperson of the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission. Mr. von Finckenstein will be our honoured guest speaker at the Breakfast with the CRTC in partnership with TELUS Communications Inc. on Monday, June 9th from 7:45-8:45 am.

Banff World Television Festival Announces Launch of the Telefilm Canada Content Creators Fellowship Program

The Telefilm Canada Content Creators Fellowship Program at BANFF is aimed at new and emerging multi-platform content creators who wish to develop their knowledge, increase their contacts and have the opportunity to meet some of the most important international players in the digital and television content business in a facilitated environment. The Fellowship includes free registration for BANFF and nextMEDIA 2008, as well as a travel stipend and pre-arranged accommodation. Read Full Story

CTV National Fellowship Program

Intended to encourage professional development in the television industry by enabling emerging creative talent including producers, writers and directors to attend the Banff World Television Festival, the Fellowship offers free registration and airfare. Deadline for applications: April 11th, 2008. Apply Now

What's New for 2008

BANFF is keeping it fresh with new program strands for our delegates, guaranteed to keep you on top.

The Craft
The Craft series is a workshop-style, hour-long session that brings writers, directors and producers together to break down the creative process of making great television. This is a new strand of programming inspired by our delegates who craved a more interactive learning experience with the top-level creators we bring out to the festival.

The Biz
If you're a producer, this new programming strand is for you. The Biz examines various legal and business affairs issues relating to the production of television and new and emerging media projects. We'll go in-depth to help you learn the tools of the trade. Hear from our panel of experts how to protect yourself and your project.

Banff World Television Festival and Japan's NHK Partner On New Award Program Worth $20,000

The Banff World Television Festival (BANFF 2008) and NHK, Japan's public broadcaster, have joined forces to establish the "NHK Best Asian Program Prize", a new award highlighting TV programs both from Asia and about Asia. NHK has committed $20,000 (CDN) as title sponsor of the award with the winner being announced at the Banff World Television Awards Ceremony in June.

Banff World Television Festival Redesigns Banff Rockie Categories for its 2008 International Program Competition

Four New Prizes to be Awarded By Grand Jury

"BANFF 2008's program competition continues to recognize changes in international Television programming and the larger social and humanitarian issues that are reflected therein," says Jennifer Harkness, newly appointed Executive Director of the Festival. "We are very excited about these new prizes and categories, which are just the beginning of a number of new initiatives we plan for this year's event".

The Fairmont Banff Springs
Book yourself into the festival’s inimitable host hotel, the Fairmont Banff Springs. Reserve before March 31, 2008 to take advantage of the Early Bird Rate, starting at $257. Book early; the Springs always sells out. Plus, your reservation automatically qualifies you to win prizes. Stay at the heart of the festival. Click here for more.

Deals Abound at 28th Edition of Banff World Television Festival

A slew of new deals were brokered at the 2007 Banff World Television Festival, which wrapped today. “The market for deal making has reached new heights in BANFF this year,” enthused David Fox, of New York-based David Fox & Associates. “I wouldn’t be surprised if a record number of ideas got the green light.” Jon Plowman, Head of Comedy for the BBC in London, added: “I don’t know of anywhere else in the world where the meeting of program makers and commissioners yields such a rich mix of talent and opportunity.