Event Preview: Banff

Banff World Television Festival
June 7-10, Fairmont Banff Springs, Banff,
Alberta, Canada

For 30 years, the Banff World Television Festival has been luring attendees to the Canadian Rockies for several days of networking and creative inspiration. With workshops, panels and keynote speakers, Banff has enabled television executives to meet with and hear from the people behind North America’s most successful and innovative shows. And this year is no different, with a lineup that includes Battlestar Galactica‘s Ron Moore, Lost‘s Jack Bender, Law & Order: Criminal Intent‘s Rene Balcer and The New Adventures of Old Christine‘s Kari Lizer.

What is different this year, however, is reflected in the event’s tag line: Turning Ideas into Business. "We want the show runners from the top shows, that has always been the crux of what we do," says Peter Vamos, the executive director of the Banff World Television Festival, "but we’re really trying to spin things into a more business-oriented focus this year."

That business-oriented focus includes a top-notch slate of buyers for producers to meet with; executives will be on hand from CBS, FOX, HBO, CTV, BBC, The CW, A&E, Hallmark Channel, UKTV, ZDF, Nickelodeon and more. In addition, Vamos notes, the event will enable up-and-coming producers to network with established producers and meet with agents. For companies looking for creative ways to cope with these challenging times and come out even stronger, Vamos says, "We think we can give them some leadership and point them in the right direction. How are you going to evolve your business?"

Expanding the attendee base beyond the core North American and Western European markets is also a priority for Banff this year. "We are focused on casting a wider net, in terms of who we’re attracting. We’ve got a contingent from Brazil. We’re trying to get some Argentines to come out. We’re reaching out to Eastern Europe.

"Like so many companies, we’re looking at the economy as a chance for us to refocus what we do," Vamos continues. "We are about Canada. We are about Canadian production, but if Canadian producers need to find partners, we’re going to try and bring in as many people from around the world. Every year you’re going to see Banff become more and more international."

Beyond the networking and pitching opportunities and the panels, there are several other highlights for Banff attendees, including the Telefilm Canada TV 360 program, aimed at providing cross-platform development opportunities for Canadian producers, writers and directors; and the Banff World Television Awards. Other notable events include the inaugural Kids & Animation Day, which will be keynoted by Brown Johnson, the president of animation at Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group. In the area of new media, Ron Berryman, the senior VP and general manager of the digital publishing group at Fox Interactive Media, will deliver the Banff/nextMEDIA Crossover Keynote. Banff will also present the Cineflix Award of Excellence to Canadian-born actor Victor Garber.

For Vamos, a former journalist who is directing Banff for the first time this year, the festival continues to offer up a wealth of resources and opportunities for television executives. He quips: "You can work in this industry for two years and learn as much as you possibly can; or you can go to Banff and spend a week there."