Lost Director Joins Banff Lineup

TORONTO: Jack Bender, the Emmy Award-winning director and executive producer of Lost, has signed on as a speaker for the Master Class series at the 30th edition of the Banff World Television Festival.

The Master Class series provides the opportunity for the “master” to reveal their unique creative processes and trade secrets to making a hit TV series. Bender has been at the helm of hit ABC drama for last five seasons. He will discuss the "making of" Lost and his experience of making a successful TV network series in the Banff Master Class series. 

“The addition of Jack Bender to the Master Class series demonstrates that Banff congregates the best TV executives in the industry,” said Peter Vamos, Banff’s executive director. “Mr. Bender seamlessly merges creativity with business; as a director of Lost, he captures dramatic intrigue while keeping viewers anticipating the next episode and as an executive producer he knows how to capitalize a gripping storyline into an active and engaged digital audience.”      

Also taking part in the Master Class series are Kari Lizer, the creator and executive producer of The New Adventures of Old Christine; René Balcer, the writer and executive producer of Law & Order: Criminal Intent; and Ronald D. Moore, the writer and executive producer of Battlestar Galatica.

Banff has also announced the addition of two new Grand Prizes in the Interactive and Kids & Animation genres to be awarded at this year’s Grand Prize show.  The first new Grand Prize, Best of Interactive Programs, will be awarded on Saturday night during nextMEDIA Banff, and the second Grand Prize, Best of Kids and Animation, will be awarded on June 8.

"Demonstrating the ability to master many different television genres, the Banff World Television Awards allow the best producers around the world to compete for the prestigious ‘Rockies,’” commented Georges Leclere, the director of program competition for the Banff World Television Awards. “With our 23 categories, we offer our great nominees top recognition in the ever-changing international television landscape.”