Gervais, Shatner Honored at Banff

BANFF: Ricky Gervais and William Shatner were among those to receive an award at the Banff World Television Festival and nextMEDIA.

Gervais took home the Sir Peter Ustinov Award for comedy, while Shatner was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Eric McCormack was presented with the NBC Universal Canada Award of Distinction.

Winners were also selected for the best of show in all festival genres. The best drama was London River, from 3B Productions in association with ARTE France. The best in kids and animation was Le Printemps de Melie (Molly in Springtime), from the National Film Board of Canada in association with Folimage, PIWI and Divertissement Subsequence. Aveux, from Productions Pixcom won the award for best Francophone program. The best green program went to Bang Goes the Theory: The Human Power Station, from Dragonfly Film and Television Productions. The winner for best Canadian program was 65 Red Roses, from Force Four Entertainment in association with CBC News Network. Bill Bailey’s Remarkable Guide to the Orchestra, a Glassbox production, won for best entertainment program. The BBC’s Life, produced in association with Discovery, SKAI, Open University and RTI S.p.A., won for best documentary. The Grand Jury Prize went to London River.

The Green Jury Prize was awarded to Louie Psihoyos, the director of The Cove. The prize recognizes outstanding achievement in creating public awareness and understanding of environmental issues through the use of visual media.

“Tonight’s award winners represent the best in television and film, and epitomize innovation, talent and dedication,” said Georges Leclere, executive producer of the Banff World Television Awards. “We’re delighted to celebrate and honor their outstanding achievements.”