Call for Entries

BANFF provides various pitching opportunities, fellowships and professional development programs. Below is a list of the opportunities provided at our 2008 event.

2008 Pitch Categories
Bell Broadcast and New Media Fund iPitch
Discovery Channel-NFB Feature Documentary Pitch
UKTV STYLE Lifestyle Pitch
The N Youth Drama Pitch

2008 Professional Development Programs
The Canwest Showrunner Training Program
The Canwest Emerging Writer Program

2008 Fellowship Programs
Quebecor Banff Convergence Fellowship 2008
CTV National Fellowship Program

2008 Pitch Categories

		Bell Broadcast and New Media Fund iPitch In this digital era, television programs can't compete without an associated interactive component. Television and digital media producers submitted their interactive cross-platform project ideas for the opportunity to pitch and win up to $10,000 for the development of their project. The winner of the iPitch also won a scholarship covering tuition, registration fee, meals and accommodation, airfare within Canada, and airport shuttle to attend The Banff Centre's New Media Institute's Interactive Screen Program. 2008 Winner: Jarrett Sherman / OVERRULEDTV.COM
		Discovery Channel-NFB Feature Documentary Pitch A prize of $15,000 in development was awarded to the winning pitch for a factual or cinematic experience exploring scenes of science and/or the natural world, with a Canadian audience target and conceived for theatrical release. 2008 Winner: Anne Pick / BEAR CAVE MOUNTAIN<
		UKTV STYLE Lifestyle Pitch Part of the UKTV network, UKTV Style is the leading lifestyle channel targeting young, up market women in Britain and one of the most important and successful multi-channel providers in the UK. Formed in 1997, it is an independent commercial joint venture between Virgin Media TV and BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC. The finalists pitched their lifestyle series ideas for a chance at the £5000 Development prize. 2008 Winner: Larry Day / LOSE THE BABY FAT
		The N Youth Drama Pitch The N, the nighttime network for teens, is a programming arm of MTV Networks whose mission is to be the authentic voice of teens. Sharp, thoughtful, funny and tuned in to teen life, The N's programming is designed to create a buzz, giving the audience something to talk about and a voice to help them figure out their lives. The winning series pitch received a $10,000 Development prize. The winner of the Audience Choice Award at the Youth Drama pitch also received a $5,000 motion picture film product grant provided by returning partner Kodak Canada - Entertainment Imaging. 2008 Winner: Tricia Lee / WAITING IN THE WINGS

2008 Professional Development Programs

The Canwest Showrunner Training Program

The goal of the Canwest Showrunner Training Program is to better position seasoned series writers for the role of showrunner. Up to ten experienced series writers were chosen to participate in this program which provides further insight into the demands of producing series television from some of the best in the business, both in Canada and abroad. Successful applicants were invited to attend the Banff World Television Festival on a full-access pass where they had the opportunity to attend master classes, pitch Canadian broadcast executives and be part of individual sessions with renowned showrunners attending the Festival.

The Canwest Emerging Writer Program

The Canwest Emerging Writer Progam offers an unprecedented opportunity for screenwriters to gain significant insight into the demands of writing for series television. Five writers participated in a professional development program that helped them hone their creative skills and introduced them to a wide range of industry professionals working in series television. Successful applicants were invited to attend the Banff World Television Festival on a full-access pass where they had access to program events as well as seminars, pitch sessions and master classes designed especially for them.

2008 Fellowship Programs

Quebecor Banff Convergence Fellowship 2008

The 2008 Quebecor Banff Convergence Fellowship brought six industry professionals to nextMEDIA - The Future of Digital Content, and the Banff World Television Festival (BANFF) to support their role in creating culturally diverse cross-platform content. The successful applicants were Toronto-based intermediate or senior level industry professionals from Aboriginal or visible minority communities, with market-ready TV and interactive projects. The Quebecor Fellows had their nextMEDIA and BANFF registrations, accommodation, air and ground travel expenses covered.

CTV National Fellowship Program

CTV National Canada Fellowships encourage professional development in the television industry by enabling emerging creative talent including producers, writers and directors to attend the Banff World Television Festival. The Fellowships cover full festival registration and air transportation. Accommodation and all other costs of attending the festival are the responsibility of the fellowship recipient. To provide a more enriching experience and an enhanced professional development experience for selected fellows, CTV, through the Banff World Television Festival, also provided a limited mentorship program prior to Festival opening.

For more information, contact:
Priya Rao | Head of Content, Banff World Television Festival | Achilles Media Ltd.
Tel: +1.416.921.3171 ext. 233
Email: prao@achillesmedia.com