Banff Festival, NHK to Launch New Award

BANFF, January 7: The Banff World Television Festival and
Japanese pubcaster NHK have teamed up to establish the NHK Best Asian Program
Prize, a new award showcasing TV programs from or about Asia.

NHK has pledged C$20,000 as the title sponsor of the award,
and the winner will be announced during an award ceremony at the Banff World
Television Festival, which takes place June 8-11 at the Fairmont Banff Springs
in Banff, Canada.

The deadline for submissions to the NHK Best Asian Program
Prize is January 31. Eligible entries include all programs produced in Asia, as
well as programs produced anywhere in the world with the primary content being
about Asia or having Asian subject matter.

“NHK is a leader in public broadcasting and an advocate for
Asian program-making around the world,” says Jennifer Harkness, the executive
director for Banff World Television Festival. “We couldn’t ask for a better
partner in launching this new program.”

“Asia is full of stories waiting to be discovered,” says
Fumio Narashima, NHK’s head of international program development. “It’s a very
diverse region of countries, each with their own distinct language, culture and
religion. These differences mean that program-making in and about Asia can be
extremely challenging and, at the same time, extremely interesting. That’s why
we want to celebrate these programs.”

The Banff World Television Awards recognizes excellence in
international television and covers all major genres over 23 categories. The
deadline for entries is January 31.

—By Kristin Brzoznowski