By Chrissy King, AIFF Industry Programs Manager
Banff World Media (formerly the Banff World Television Festival) began in 1980. The shift from “Television to Media” was palpable in this year’s edition of the event. Discussion of IP, VOD platforms, AI, and trends in both scripted and unscripted content buzzed throughout the dramatic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, where the festival is held.
My adventure in Banff began in the skies above Calgary as we flew into its hazy, remarkably flat landscape. Unfortunately, Alberta, like many other places in Canada this year, has been struggling with wildfires. We were lucky enough to have not been affected, and the beautiful landscapes that emerged on the drive from Calgary to Banff appeared unscathed.
The general tone of the market was open, friendly and even a touch festive, which I felt immediately as I boarded the ‘Banff Airporter’, a minibus that quickly filled with folks from across the country freshly landed in Alberta and ready to meet and greet one another. The ride was reminiscent of a journey to summer camp, with friends old and new swapping stories and plans for the exciting week ahead! Riding North, I was enchanted by the commanding cool gray Rockies as they emerged on the horizon. A baby mountain goat (kid) was spotted resting on a grand cliff as we cruised into Canmore, and I knew we were truly in the mountains.
With many delegates staying in the hotels and enjoying the restaurants on Banff Ave (including the recently minted “Canada’s 100 Best” LUPO), the “commute” to work took on a new flavor, as we strolled across a turquoise river, beneath fragrant pines, on our way up to the Fairmont.
Heidi Brander (CBC Writer), Myself, Meagan Brander (InnovatePEI), & Karen Bruce (WIFT-Toronto) at Lupo.
The Fairmont’s many nooks and crannies in addition to its large grand rooms peppered with stained glass windows make it a dramatic and yet cozy place to do business. I picked up my badge and admired the pink and purple light-scapes, and banners that thematically decorated every space. Panels were presented in several locations, but the best in my opinion was, ‘Mount Stephen Hall’, where illuminated letters spelled out Banff behind panelists, as delegates could sit and listen in the main audience or from a discreet balcony area. The panels were stacked with updates from folks at Hallmark, Bell, Roku, Fremantle, Amaze and many, many more. These panels were very well attended and complemented with approachable roundtables and exciting speed meetings - where blasts of Shania Twain’s “That Don’t Impress me Much” signaled your pitch was over and it was time to move on!
All of this business was complemented by 100s of meetings taking place in the Rundle Bar, the elegant restaurants of the Fairmont and the Crave Delegate Lounge. In the evenings we were treated to truly special networking events. Notably, the Paramount + Lodge Party was a scene straight out of Yellowstone with its ‘ride on bull’ for selfies, cowboy hats, and firepits. The event’s evening shifted the following night for the Rockies Awards- a more glamorous awards ceremony where the star to spot was Real Housewives’ Garcelle Beauvais who was the recipient of the Inclusion Award. The event was hosted by Craig Robinson- whose comedy is legendary and fresh.
I took full advantage of the event by meeting FIN Partners delegates old and new. It was a wonderful opportunity to encourage past participants to attend again and meet new potential delegates that would thrive at our market. The speed meetings and roundtables were especially helpful in connecting and pitching to broadcasters, financiers and distributors that would make great additions to our resource delegation and I hope to bring several of them to the 26th edition of FIN Partners.
I am so grateful I was able to attend Banff World Media, and tell everyone I met about Nova Scotia, our wonderful Film Community, Film Festival and FIN Partners. I hope to return to the Rockies again soon.
The Atlantic International Film Festival was pleased to welcome Chrissy King, a long time supporter of the festival, into the roll of Industry Programs Manager as of March 2023. Chrissy aims to present a one-of-a-kind co-production/co-financing market with a global reach, shining a spotlight on New Zealand for the 26th edition of FIN Partners this September. Learn more here.