Winners of the 29th Banff World Television Awards, presented in partnership with E! Everything Entertainment, were announced tonight at the 29th edition of the Banff World Television Festival, which took place at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Alberta, Canada, June 8 – 11, 2008.

Kim Cattrall was on hand to receive the NBC Universal Award of Distinction, and producer Jon Plowman accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Grand Prize was given to:
“White Light/Black Rain: The destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki”.

Children's Programs – In partnership with DECODE/halifaxfilm/Studio B – DHX Media Companies:
"How the Gimquat Found Her Song"
Producer: Trace Pictures/Oz Media
Country: Canada

Animation Programs – In partnership with: KBS (Korean Broadcasting System):
"Charlie and Lola Series 3: I can dance like a dancer"
Producer: Tiger Aspect Productions Ltd.
For: Cbeebies
Country: UK

Youth Programs – In partnership with Shaftesbury:
"The Baby Borrowers on Holiday"
Producer: Love Productions
Country: UK

Lifestyle Programs and Light Information– In partnership with Searchlight:
"How to Look Good Naked"
Producer: Maverick
For: Channel 4
Country: UK

Reality Format Programs – In partnership with CBC/Radio-Canada:
"Intervention"
Producer: GRB Entertainment in association with A&E Television Network
For: A&E Television Network
Country: USA

Arts Documentaries – In partnership with The Banff Centre:
"What Remains: Life and Work of Sally Mann" (Cinemax Reel Life):
Producer: HBO Documentary Films in association with Stick Figure Productions, BBC, and Cactus Three
Country: USA

Performance Programs – In partnership with CTV Television Inc.:
"Car Men"
Producer: NPS/ARTE/ESKá Televize
For: NPS
Country: Netherlands, Czech Republic, Germany

Interactive Program Enhancements – In partnership with Hewlett-Packard (Canada) Co.:
"Odd Job Jack"
Producer: Smiley Guy Studios
Country: Canada

Internet Only Programs - In partnership with: Alberta Film, Calgary Economic Development, Edmonton Tourism - Edmonton Film Commission:
NFB Filmmaker in residence
Producer: The National Film Board of Canada (NFB)
Country: Canada

Mobile Programs & Enhancements – In partnership with Penguin Films:
"The Border: Interactive"
Producer: White Pine Pictures with Stitch Media
For: CBC
Country: Canada

Comedies – In partnership with Just for Laughs:
"Extras: Episode 9 - Daniel Radcliffe"
Producer: BBC and HBO Entertainment
Country: UK, US

Lifetime Achievement:
Jon Plowman, Producer

Social & Humanitarian Programs - In partnership with: History Makers: Summit of International History and Current Affairs Producers:
"Jerusalem is Proud to Present"
Producer: Bador Productions in association with Yona Production
For: Chennel 8-Noga Communications & Channel 2- Keshet
Country: Israel

Political Documentaries – In partnership with Documentary Organization of Canada:
"Iron Ladies of Liberia"
Producer: Just Media in association with Gabriel Films and Independent Television Service (ITUS) and Steps International.
For: ARTE
Country: Liberia, USA, South Africa, Denmark

History & Biography Programs – In partnership with Rogers Communications Inc.:
"White Light/Black Rain: The destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki"
Producer: HBO Documentary Films in association with Farallon Films
Country: USA

Investigative & Current Affairs Programs - In partnership with: A&E Television Networks:
"Dispatches: Meeting the Taliban"
Producer: October Films
For: Channel 4
Country: UK

NHK Best Asian Program – In partnership with NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation):
"White Light/Black Rain: The destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki"
Producer: HBO Documentary Films in association with Farallon Films
Country: USA

Popular Science & Technology Programs – In partnership with SAIT Polytechnic:
"My Brilliant Brain"
Producer: Windfall Films In association with FIVE
For: National Geographic Channels International
Country: UK/USA

Environmental Programs – In partnership with Canwest:
"The Human Foot Print"
Producer: Touch Prods
For: E4 (Channel 4)
Country: UK

Wildlife & Natural History Programs – In partnership with WGBH:
"Four Wings and a Prayer"
Producer: Primitive Entertainment Inc. in association with Filmes a Trois,
The National Film Board of Canada, and NHK
For: The Documentary Channel
Country: Canada, France, Japan

Best Canadian Program – In partnership with Playback:
"Ghosts of the Yangtze" (Up the Yangtze)
Producer: EyeSteelFilms in association with National Film Board of Canada
For: National Geographic Channels International
Country: China, USA, Canada

Best Canadian Program – In partnership with Playback:
"The Real Superhumans and the Quest for the Future Fantastic"
Producer: Bird Plane Productions Inc. in association with Proper Television Inc.
For: Discovery Channel
Country: Canada

Telenovela & Serial Programs – In partnership with Shure Incorporated:
"Turkish for Beginners: Season 2"
Producer: Hofmann &Voges Entertaiment GmbH
For: ARD / BR
Country: Germany

Made-for-TV Movies – In partnership with Sony of Canada Ltd.:
"Stuart, A Life Backwards"
Producer: Neal Street Productions
For: BBC/HBO
Country: UK

Mini-Series – In partnership with Deluxe Vancouver | Toronto:
"Cranford"
Producer: BBC Drama Production / WGBH Boston in association with Chestermead Ltd.
Country: UK, US

Continuing Series – In partnership with the Independent Production Fund:
"Skins"
Producer: Company Pictures
For: E4 (Channel 4)
Country: UK

Special Jury – Best Documentary:
"Iron Ladies of Liberia"
Producer: Just Media in association with Gabriel Films and Independent Television Service (ITUS) and Steps International.
For ARTE
Country: Liberia, USA, South Africa, Denmark

Special Jury – Feature Length Documentary:
"What Remains: Life and Work of Sally Mann" (Cinemax Reel Life)
Producer: HBO Documentary Films in association with Stick Figure Productions, BBC, and Cactus Three
Country: USA

Special Jury – Best Drama:
"Stuart, A Life Backwards"
Producer: Neal Street Productions
For: BBC/HBO
Country: UK

Special Jury – Best Entertainment:
"Extras: Episode 9 - Daniel Radcliffe"
Producer: BBC and HBO Entertainment
Country: UK, US

Special Jury – Best Overall:
"Top Gear"
Producer: BBC
Country: UK

Special Jury – Best Overall
"51st Birch St."
Producer: Copacetic Pictures New York in Association with HBO, ZDF, and ARTE
Country: US, Germany

NBC Universal Canada Award of Distinction:
Kim Cattrall

Grand Prize:
"White Light/Black Rain: The destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki"
Producer: HBO Documentary Films in association with Farallon Films
Country: USA

The Banff World Television Festival is a not-for-profit event produced by Achilles Media Ltd., an international events management company serving the television and digital media industries. Achilles Media Ltd. events include: History Makers: International Summit of History & Current Affairs Producers, nextMEDIA events, Canadian Innovation Exchange (CIX) and NATPE Mobile++.

Kim Cattrall will receive the NBC Universal Award of Distinction at the 29th edition of the Banff World Television Festival, which takes place at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Alberta, Canada, June 8 – 11, 2008.

The NBC Universal Award of Distinction acknowledges an individual's outstanding career in the broadcast industry. The award will be presented to Ms. Cattrall on Monday June 9th at the Banff World Television Awards. On Tuesday June 10th, Ms. Cattrall will sit down with Bill Carter of the New York Times to discuss her life and career.

Cattrall was a leading force in turning the ground-breaking HBO series Sex and the City into a global phenomenon. Portraying femme fatale Samantha, Cattrall won over the hearts of every woman, by playing it honest and impulsive, bringing out the inner vamp in us all. Cattrall has been highly praised by the critics and recognized with a Golden Globe and 2 Screen Actors Guild awards, plus 5 additional Golden Globe, 4 Emmy and 3 Screen Actors' Guild nominations. With the worldwide syndication of Sex and the City, her portrayal of Samantha is known around the globe.

Cattrall will be seen this summer in John Boorman's The Tiger's Tail with Brenden Gleeson for Sony Classics. Most recently Kim starred in My Boy Jack, opposite Daniel Radcliffe and David Haig. The film, which aired in the U.K. on ITV, was highly praised by critics and will be airing in the U.S. on April 20th on PBS Masterpiece Theater. She is currently reprising her role as the infamous Samantha Jones, in Sex and the City: The Movie, which will be released by New Line in May.

"It is with great pleasure that we bestow the NBC Universal Award of Distinction on Kim Cattrall," says Ron Suter, Senior Vice President and General Manager, NBC Universal Television Distribution, Canada. "Having grown up in Vancouver and starred in many films and television programs that have originated in Canada, Kim's distinguished acting career is a prime example of what this award was meant to stand for."

“Ms. Cattrall has an incredibly prolific and successful career in both films and television,” says Jennifer Harkness, Executive Director, BANFF. “It’s a thrill to welcome her to this festival that celebrates the best in the industry.”

The Banff World Television Festival will present its 2008 Outstanding Achievement Award to ABC Studios on June 9th, 2008 at the 29th edition of the Banff World Television Festival, which takes place at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Alberta, Canada, June 8 – 11, 2008. ABC Studios will be honoured for its high-quality programming and overall contribution to the television industry. Mr. Pedowitz, President of ABC Studios will attend BANFF to accept the award, and will also present a keynote interview the following day- June 10th at 9:00am.

“It’s an honor for the studio to receive this award,” said Mark Pedowitz, president, ABC Studios, “made even more special by the fact that we’re the only American studio ever to be recognized this way. It is incredibly rewarding to be acknowledged for our programming that transcends borders and resonates with audiences worldwide. ABC Studios programming reflects a lot of hard work by a lot of great people, and I’m delighted to accept the award on their behalf.”

The award recognizes the enormous impact that ABC Studios has had on the television industry. ABC Studios is responsible for bringing innovate programming to audiences with breakthrough shows like LOST, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, CRIMINAL MINDS, and GREY’S ANATOMY.

"The Banff World Television Festival salutes the many outstanding achievements of ABC Studios,” says Jennifer Harkness, Executive Director, BANFF. “They continue to create milestones in their programming and are one of the cornerstones of the industry. It will be a highlight of the event to acknowledge them in front of their many peers at the Festival.”

Since being named president, ABC Studios, in April 2004 (then Touchstone Television), Mark Pedowitz has overseen the creative and business operations for the studio's most successful seasons, shepherding an impressive slate of programming for network, cable, mobile and broadband outlets. Mr. Pedowitz's role also includes oversight of Music for the Disney-ABC Television Group. He was instrumental in expanding the studio's brand identity as a haven for filmmakers for both broadcast and cable networks with an impressive slate of series, including international hit franchises "Grey's Anatomy," "Desperate Housewives" and "Lost," as well as breakout successes "Ugly Betty" and "Brothers & Sisters."

Mr. Pedowitz joined ABC in August 1991 as senior vice president, Business Affairs and Contracts, where he negotiated deals to acquire programming for Primetime, Daytime, Late-Night and the Saturday Morning Children's block. He was promoted to head of the department in 1996. He was promoted to executive vice president, ABC Entertainment Television Group, in 1999 wherein he oversaw all business, legal and financial affairs for ABC

Book Early and Save with our Early Bird Deadline
For the first time, BANFF is offering you a chance to register for both BANFF 2008 and nextMEDIA - The Future of Digital Content 2008 at the same time – and at a discounted price! Take advantage of the Early Bird COMBO Rate. Save. Learn. Network. What are you waiting for? Register Now: http://www.banff2008.com/registration.php

Goliger's TravelPlus
In our attempts to bring our delegates the best deals, The Banff World Television Festival has once again partnered with Goliger's TravelPlus and WestJet to offer discounted airfare to attend the festival. Delegates can purchase their airfare for 10 per cent below the lowest fare at the time of booking. To book now visit www.gotravelplus.com.

The Telefilm Content Creators Fellowship Program:

Meet some of the most important international players in the digital content and television industries in a facilitated setting. The Telefilm Canada Content Creators Fellowship Program allows new and emerging multi-platform content creators to have the opportunity to turn their ideas into successful projects. Fellowships include complimentary registrations to both nextMEDIA and BANFF 2008, a travel stipend and pre-arranged accommodation. Application deadline is April 10th, 2008. More Details Here: http://www.banff2008.com/telefilmfellowship.php

CTV National Fellowship Program:
These Fellowships are intended to encourage professional development in the television industry by enabling emerging creative talent including producers, writers and directors to attend the Banff World Television Festival. Applicants must have a minimum of one significant production credit. The Fellowship offers free registration and airfare. Deadline for applications: April 11th, 2008 Apply Here: http://www.banff2008.com/ctv_nat_fellow.php

Back for a 2nd year: UKTV STYLE Lifestyle Pitch - £5000 Development prize
Are you an independent producer who’s worked on a lifestyle series not yet in development? Submit your pitch to the UKTV Style Lifestyle category. UKTV Style is the leading lifestyle channel targeting young, upmarket women in Britain. Deadline for entry is April 14th, 2008. Apply Here: http://www.banff2008.com/pitching.uktv.php

A who’s who of international Commissioning Editors and broadcasters continue to confirm their attendance at BANFF. Don’t miss your chance to pitch them in our Face-to-Face meetings or Take a Decision Maker sessions, plus many other networking events.
CEs new to the list include:

* Kate Juergens, SVP, Original Series Programming & Development, ABC Family Channel
* Mette Hoffman-Meyer, Head of Documentaries and Factual Programming, DR Medier
* Olaf Grunert, Head of Topical Evenings, ARTE/Strasbourg
* Richard Life, Head of Factual, Granada International
* Roma Khanna, President, Global Networks and Digital Initiatives, NBC Universal

Grand Prize: “When The Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts”
Directed by: Spike Lee

International Jury awarded three Special Jury Prizes:
“You Are My Destiny"
Produced By: Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation
Broadcaster: MBC
Production Countries: South Korea

“37 Uses For Dead Sheep”
Produced By: Tigerlily Films
Broadcaster: Doc Channel
Production Countries: UK

“Hercules Ventures Into the World”
Produced By: TVP SA - Channel 2
Broadcaster: TVP2
Production Countries: Poland

Category: Animation Programs
In partnership with FatKat
“The Wrong Trainers”
Produced By: BBC, UK

Category: Arts Documentaries
In partnership with The Banff Centre
“Knowledge is the Beginning”
Produced By: EuroArts Music International in association with ZDF, Germany

Category: Children's Programs
In partnership with Shaw Rocket Fund
“Jackanory: The Magician of Samarkand”
Produced By: BBC in association with BBC Worldwide, UK

Category: Comedy
In partnership with Just for Laughs
“The Vicar of Dibley: The Handsome Stranger”
Produced By: Tiger Aspect Productions, UK

Category: Continuing Series
In partnership with the Independent Production Fund
“Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip: Pilot”
Produced By: Shoe Money Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television, USA

Category: Family & Youth Programs
In partnership in Astral Media
“Heartlines: The Good Provider”
Produced By: Curious Pictures, South Africa

Category: Feature Length Documentaries
In partnership with Deluxe Toronto Ltd.
“Welcome Europa”
Produced By: Son et Lumière in association with ARTE France, France

Category: History & Biography Programs
In partnership with Rogers Communications Inc.
“Battle of Chernobyl”
Produced By: Discovery Networks International in association with France 3 and Play Film, USA

Category: Information & Current Affair Programs
In partnership with Hewlett-Packard (Canada) Co.
“die story: It's time ... to die in Huntsville”
Produced By: Convoi-Film for Westdeutscher Rundfunk, Germany

Category: Interactive Program Enhancement
In partnership with Yahoo! Canada
“Fallen Alternate Reality Game”
Produced By: ABC Family in association with Xenophile Media and Double Twenty Productions, USA

Category: Internet Only Production Program
In partnership with Xerox Canada Ltd.
“Darfur is Dying”
Produced By: mtvU in association with interFUEL, LLC, USA

Category: Mobile Program Enhancement
In partnership with ContentRevolution
“Shorts in Motion: The Art of Seduction”
Produced By: marblemedia/The National Film Board of Canada in association with Bravo!FACT, Canada

Category: Lifestyle Programs
In partnership with Shure Incorporated
“Gourmet's Diary of a Foodie: China”Produced By: WGBH Educational Foundation in association with Discovery International, Gourmet Magazine, USA

Category: Made for TV Movies
In partnership with Shaftesbury Films
“Death of a President”
Produced By: Borough Films for Channel 4, UK

Category: Mini-Series
In partnership with SAIT Polytechnic
“See No Evil: The Moors Murders”
Produced By: ITV Productions, UK

Category: Performance Programs
In partnership with Citytv and CHUM Television
“False Waltz”
Produced By: Orkater in association with Avro TV for NPB (Netherland Public Broadcasting), The Netherlands

Category: Popular Science & Natural History Programs
In partnership with Barna-Alper Productions Inc.
“Animals in the Womb”
Produced By: Pioneer Productions, the Incubator and Fox Television Studios for Channel 4 in association with National Geographic

Category: Reality Format Programs
In partnership with Sony of Canada Ltd.
“The Prison Choir”
Produced By: TVE in association with 3Koma, Spain

Category: Social & Political Documentaries
In partnership with National Film Board of Canada
“When The Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts”
Produced By: HBO Documentary Films in association with 40 Acres & A Mule, USA

Category: Telenovela & Drama Serial Programs
In partnership with Searchlight – Partners in Executive Search
“Eastenders”
Produced By: BBC Drama Productions, UK

Banff, Alberta (CANADA), June 13, 2007 - A slew of new deals was brokered at the 2007 Banff World Television Festival, which wrapped today. “The market for deal making has reached new heights in BANFF this year,” enthused David Fox, of New York-based David Fox & Associates. “I wouldn’t be surprised if a record number of ideas got the green light.” Jon Plowman, Head of Comedy for the BBC in London, added: “I don’t know of anywhere else in the world where the meeting of program makers and commissioners yields such a rich mix of talent and opportunity.

Some of the deals done this year included Canadian producers Breakthrough Films & Television and Buffalo Gal Pictures, who inked a deal to partner on 13 half-hours of Less Than Kind, a teen sitcom for CHUM Television. As part of an expanded drama slate, Breakthrough and Silver Tip Pictures agreed to shoot a pilot for Easton Meets West, a light-hearted drama for the CBC. Breakthrough also signed a deal with Canadian premium pay TV networks The Movie Network and Movie Central to produce Confessions of a Porn Addict – A Love Story, a comic mockumentary. In addition, Movie Central and The Movie Network are to partner on a new, eight-part drama, The Weight, a portrait of two corrupt cops from screenwriters George F. Walker and Dani Romain, who are executive producing with Debbie Nightingale.

BWTVF also saw Vancouver-based producer Crescent Entertainment sign an agreement with Channel Four International in which the British partner will get the first option to develop and distribute Crescent TV shows. Also busy in Banff were Thunderbird Films and Los Angeles-based Program Partners, who sold Merv Griffin’s Crosswords to Rogers Media’s OMNI Television for its fall 2007 schedule, and to CHUM Television’s ACCESS and Canadian Learning Television cable channels.

HGTV Canada and UK-based Discovery Green Planet commissioned 13 half-hours of World’s Greenest Homes from Toronto-based producer Cineflix Productions at BWTVF this year. HGTV Canada also ordered a pilot for The Stagers, from Vancouver-based Paperny Films. VisionTV, Canada’s multi-faith channel, announced in Banff that it is to team up with APTN to produce Rabbit Fall a six-part drama, produced by Angel Entertainment of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Corus Entertainment’s YTV and Vancouver producer Nerd Corps Entertainment signed a deal to produce Storm Hawks, a 3D cartoon to launch on mobile, online and VOD before its September 2007 TV debut.

With attendance from leading broadcast executives and decision-makers from 25 countries around the world and, according to feedback from delegates, its strongest-ever lineup of speakers and panels, BWTVF was once again the place where delegates made their ideas a reality. Attendance held strong at the Festival, with close to 1,450 attendees. With the runaway success of its sister-event nextMEDIA – The Future of Digital Content, the combined attendance of the two events reached 1,800.

“It’s fantastic to see so many returning delegates attending BANFF,” commented Jennnifer Harkness, Executive Director, BWTVF. “This is testament to the quality of our content, the success of our marketplace for ideas and the business opportunities that BANFF represents.”

Over $100,000 in prizing was awarded at this year’s pitching sessions where winners have the opportunity to turn their ideas and concepts into real productions. This year’s winners include:

CTV CANADIAN DOCUMART ($60,000 in development funding)

First prize and $30,000 was presented to Boy Genius & Bobby Fisher by John Chris Tou.

Second prize and $20,000 was presented to Taqwacore by Omar Majeed.

Third prize and $10,000 was presented to Murder for Love by Larry Day.

PITCH IT!: THE N NETWORK YOUTH DRAMA PITCH

Days and Nights at Camp Kanata by Chris Carter and Adam Jack won a development prize of US $10,000 from The N Network. The winner of the Youth Drama pitch also received a $5,000 motion picture film product grant as prizing for this year’s Audience Choice Award, provided by returning sponsor Kodak Canada Inc.

PITCH IT!: UK TV STYLE LIFESTYLE PITCH

Property Protégé by Lyndsay Duthie won a development prize of £5,000 from UK TV STYLE.

PITCH IT!: THE COMEDY NETWORK COMEDY PITCH

Frankie Fats by Scott Feschuk and Scott Reid won a development prize of $10,000 from the Comedy Network.

PITCH IT!: FOX 21 REALITY PITCH

Man Camp by Josh Levy and Robi Levy won a development deal with Fox 21.

iPITCH

Kwad9 by Jean-Francois Grenier won a development prize of $10,000 from the Bell Broadcast and New Media Fund.

For more information of this year’s Festival please visit www.bwtvf.com. To view photos, please visit www.http://www.bwtvf.com/photos2007.php. Save the date! The 29th annual Banff World Television Festival will be held June 8-11, 2008 at the Fairmont Banff Springs in Banff, Canada.

About the Banff World Television Festival
The Banff World Television Festival takes place annually in June at the Fairmont Banff Springs in Banff, Alberta. BWTVF is a not-for-profit event produced by Achilles Media Ltd. Achilles Media Ltd. is an international events management company serving the television and digital media industries. Achilles Media Ltd. events include: History Makers: International Summit of History and Current Affairs Producers , nextMEDIA – Monetizing Digital Content, nextMEDIA - The Future of Digital Content and NATPE Mobile++. For more http://www.achillesmedia.com/