Banff hails increased attendance

Banff World Media Festival saw its attendance rise by about 5% this year, with more than 1,500 delegates present at the 36th edition of the annual event.

Delegates from over 40 countries participated in this year’s festival held in the Canadian Rockies, which came to an end yesterday and saw an increase in both participation and global representation.

A+E Networks president and CEO Nancy Dubuc was the opening keynote speaker on Sunday, with the festival honouring the broadcaster as its company of distinction.

Participating companies this year included CBC, Maker Studios, Zodiak Media, Hit Entertainment, Discovery, Disney, Corus Entertainment, Bell Media, Shaw Media, ITV and National Geographic.

Netflix hosted a reception for attendees while Entertainment One hosted its annual private reception after the Rockies Gala, which was held last night, hosted by Jane The Virgin star Jaime Camil.

Dutch stop-motion animated short Munya in Me took home the Jury Grand Prize, while Joe Lewis, head of comedy at Amazon Studios, collected Banff’s Award of Innovation on behalf of Amazon.

Jill Soloway, creator and writer of Amazon’s multi-Golden-Globe-winning series Transparent, was honoured with Banff’s Showrunner of the Year Award for her work on the series.

Barbara Williams, exec VP and president at Shaw Media and chair of the Banff World Media Festival, said: “We’ve had an inspiring week and we’ve witnessed deals getting made as well as new relationships being forged, all because of this important annual gathering.”

“As the landscape continues to evolve with digital we want to continue to be the leading destination for the brightest minds to collect, share ideas on how to monetise their properties, companies and platforms.”

Next year’s event will take place between June 12 and 15 at the Fairmont Banff Springs.