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Pat Ferns Hosts First-ever SUPER PITCH at Asia Television Forum

(Banff, Alberta, Canada, December 3, 2001) On December 7, 2001, Pat Ferns, president and CEO of the Banff Television Foundation, in partnership with Television Asia, will present the first-ever pitch session at the Asia Television Forum (ATF) in Singapore. Modeled after the popular pitch format from the Banff Television Festival, now played around the world, SUPER PITCH 2001 will provide an opportunity for producers to pitch their projects to a panel of industry experts, practitioners and an audience of possible investors and funders.

"I am delighted to have been invited to bring this pitching format to the Asia Television Forum for the first time," said Mr. Ferns. "When I attended the conference last year I was very impressed with the content and organization. The quality of submissions we received for this year's SUPER PITCH were very high and I look forward to hearing six strong pitches at Friday morning's session."

SUPER PITCH is being presented at ATF through the combined efforts of the Banff Television Foundation and Television Asia, a major sponsor of the event. Publication director, Jonathan Hallett was first attracted to the idea of taking this pitch format to Asia following his visit to Banff last year. "For me, the highlights of BANFF 2001 were the pitching sessions and market simulations. The combination of presenting original programming ideas in a "courtroom style" provided high drama and was absolutely riveting. I am delighted that Pat Ferns is able to come and launch the concept in Asia. His pivotal role as our moderator will ensure that the Banff format will be as successful in Asia as it has been in Canada and around the world, and that the sessions will become a key attraction at the annual Asia Television Forum."

The call for submissions for SUPER PITCH drew over 150 responses and from those, six finalists have been awarded the opportunity to pitch their projects. Representing Hong Kong, India, Malaysia and Singapore the projects are a mix of documentary and entertainment genres and include: The Dragon Fish - Arowana, Skywalker TV Facility House; Hira Mandi, In House Productions Private Limited; King of the Titans, Reel Loco Productions; Laugh, Biscuit, Flower, The Immaculate Conception with Rosebud Film Consultants; The Price of English, Asia Pacific Vision; and Young Chinese Ballerinas, Yellowstone Productions.

Pitching opportunities have been a part of the annual Banff Television Festival since 1985 when Mr. Ferns first presented his Market Simulation session during the event. He has now taken his pitch format to industry events around the world touching on five continents including Europe, North America, Africa, Australia and now Asia. Traditionally there has been strong representation from Asia at the Banff Television Festival specifically this past year with the presentation of a special Focus on Asia. Banff also fosters a close relationship with Singapore having representation on its Board of Governors from Lim Hock Chuan, CEO of the Singapore Broadcasting Authority. Independent Producer Khim Loh of the Moving Visuals Company also served as a member of the Festival's International Jury last year. This year's ATF will include representation from Telefilm Canada along with other Canadian exhibitors.

The Banff Television Foundation is a management organization for some of the world's leading television and new media events including the Banff Television Festival (June 9 - 14, 2002), the World Congress of History Producers (October 20 - 23, 2002), the World Congress of Science Producers (October 24 - 27, 2002) and the Alliance Atlantis Banff Television Executive Program (January 11 - 18 and November 8 -15, 2002).