Lifetime Achievement Award to be presented to Jon Plowman
Producer Jon Plowman is to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 29th edition of the Banff World Television Festival. The Lifetime Achievement acknowledges outstanding and unique contributions to the broadcasting industry throughout the scope of an individual's career. The award will be presented to Plowman at the Canwest Banff World Television Awards on Monday June 9, 2008. Read Full Story
Award of Excellence to be given to THE BORDER and CSI:Miami's Sofia Milos at 2008 Banff World Television Festival
Actor Sofia Milos of THE BORDER and CSI: MIAMI is to receive the 2008 Award of Excellence, which acknowledges exceptional achievement through a body of work. Ms. Milos has gone up against some of the toughest men and women in television in her roles as Homeland Security Agent Blanca LaGarda on The Border, and as detective Yelina Salas on the Emmy-winning, international hit show CSI: Miami. Further credits include The Sopranos and Curb Your Enthusiasm. The award will be presented at the Alberta Film Awards Lunch on Monday June 9, 2008. Ms. Milos will also participate in our popular In Conversation series. Read More
The Craft
Martin Wood, in Partnership with DGC-BC
Martin Wood, writer/producer/director of Sanctuary, the first broadcast-quality online sci-fi series, will discuss the creation, evolution and production of this unique online series. Having recently sealed a deal with the Sci-Fi Channel, it will be the first TV show to feature live-action actors with CGI sets. In the new strand of programming “The Craft”, Martin will discuss how they made the leap from internet to television and how they managed incredible production values on a web budget.
Andy Harries
Award-winning producer, Andy Harries (THE QUEEN, PRIME SUSPECT) will discuss the business and art of producing. This new 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. Read More
Appointment TV
Timothy Kuryak
As part of this year's green strand of programming, Timothy Kuryak, VP of West Coast Production & Development for Discovery Channel's Planet Green, will discuss the upcoming launch of this global, cross-platform initiative that includes the first-ever 24-hour television network dedicated solely to green lifestyle programming. If you've been wanting to learn how to reduce your environmental footprint in life and on set, you won't want to miss this session.
Marc Berman
Wondering how the writers strike will affect the fall season? Don't miss Marc Berman, senior television writer for Mediaweek and creator/editor of The Programming Insider, as he presents an exclusive preview of the fall 2008 television lineup. Read More
In Conversation
Jana Bennett, Director of BBC Vision, heads the largest multi-media production, commissioning and broadcast group of its kind in the world. Hear her speak about BBC's 360 Commissioning this June as part of this not to be missed In Conversation series in which high profile and visionary television executives are interviewed by equally engaging media personalities. Read More
CTV Western Canada Fellowships
Ten Western Fellowships will be awarded in 2008. Intended to encourage professional development in the television industry by enabling emerging creative talent including producers, writers and directors to attend BANFF, these fellowships cover registration and airfare. New Fellowship programs to be announced soon! Apply Now (PDF 120kb).
Green is Beautiful
Once again we're working to make your BANFF experience a greener one, through online publications, state-of-the-art recycling stations, free shuttles, and more. You can also calculate and offset your trip with Banff partner Zero Footprint. And who says posh can't be green? Host hotel Fairmont Banff Springs also offers free overnight parking for hybrid car-driving guests, paper-free services for meetings and more. Check out Fairmont Eco-meet at www.fairmont.com/ecomeet.
Save on Airfare with Goliger's Travel
In our attempts to bring our delegates the best deals, The Banff World Television Festival has once again partnered with Goliger's Travelplus and West Jet to offer discounted airfare to attend the festival. Delegates can purchase their airfare for 10 per cent below the lowest fare at the time of booking. In addition, all delegates who book their travel through Goliger's Travelplus are eligible to win a round-trip airfare prizes on West Jet within Canada. To book now visit www.gotravelplus.com
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. Read More
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. Read More
Also new this year... Bowling with a Commissioning Editor
Who knew the Banff Springs Hotel has a bowling alley? Flex your fingers and sign up for your chance to go bowling with an International Commissioning Editor. Four lucky delegates and one Commissioning Editor will spend an hour competing for the most strikes in this fun new way to network while at BANFF. Sign up details will be online in May. Read More
nextMEDIA Digital Media Stream
This year BANFF will be introducing a series of digital media panels and workshops that highlight some of the key areas of growth affecting the television industry. These panels will take some of the main ideas that came out BANFF's sister conference nextMEDIA - The Future of Digital Content and tailor them for the television community. Read More
Submission Deadline For "NHK Best Asian Program Prize"
is January 31, 2008
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.
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. More Information
