Banff TV Festival: Expensively Rich.

Discussions on "Pushing the TV Envelope," the role of the Internet in television, the aggressive Canadian Immigration Services and the high cost of attending the Banff Television Festival permeated the 22nd annual event in the Canadian Rocky Mountain resort near Calgary this past June. This Banff TV Festival also distinguished itself by awarding the largest amount of monetary prizes, which totaled US$56,190, including $16,190 to the Canadian Rockies School Division.

On television, sex (like sports and violence) sells; the question is how far over-the-air (free) broadcasters can go, or as they say in the biz: "how far can the envelope be pushed?" Since talking about violence is boring and sports banter just wasn't in the cards, the Banff TV Fest decided to analyze sex instead. The outcome of the "Fiction Now" conference was that, if done properly, sex is fine, but not if gratuitous elements are included. Perhaps this is because nothing should be gratuitous or free, especially on TV.

The role of the Internet on the TV screen was also analyzed during four "Cyber Lunches," which took place on the first four of the Festival's five days. This topic also took center stage at the "Digital Futures" breakfast. In addition, there were five "New Media Focus" conferences and seminars about high-definition TV.

Many Americans and Europeans (Germans in particular) complained about the usual unpleasant experiences with Canadian immigration officials. The joke goes that no foreign bacteria can pass through Canada because it is stopped at the border by immigration. A VideoAge journalist was questioned because, since he was going to Banff to report on a story, "and would be therefore working," a permit was required. Fortunately, the matter was resolved favorably during a second series of questioning. Because of the border problems, a suggestion was put forth to the festival organizers: mail foreign registrants an immigration-approved card stating the purpose of the visit.

With a record number of over 1,800 participants, this Banff TV Festival was an unquestionable success, boasting plenty of interesting seminars, workshops, programs and top-level executives from 28 countries. Even though the innovative "Master Class" series was a main attraction, attendance was not optimal due to distance: it was held at The Banff Center in a nearby university campus which required a bus trip.

Two breakfasts were quite illuminating: one with Asia, the other with France. At Banff, anti-globalization voices rumbled, one in particular stated that "the world loses two languages a month and, with them, their cultures."

On the downside, keynote speaker Professor Thomas Homer-Dixon, author of The Ingenuity Gap, was uninspiring and used the Banff platform mainly to plug his book. Basically, the professor's contention was that "the communications revolution may be creating a psychological environment that hinders the organization of ideas."

In any case, "It was the most successful festival to date," announced president Pat Ferns, "not only in terms of the record-breaking attendance but also in the quality of our speakers and the diversity of content. We had more pitching opportunities than ever before. The CTV Canadian Documart was a huge success with C$100,000 in prizes, and the New Players' Pitches attracted many submissions from young, emerging producers. Highlights of this year's Banff Television Festival were the Showcase of Excellence with Kelsey Grammer and Norman Jewison; the Banff Rockie Awards gala presentation with hosts Ian Hanomansing and Julie Snyder; the special tribute hour to honor Discovery Communications Inc. and Royal Philips Electronics; the presentation of special Lifetime Achievement Awards to Rocks Demers and Bernard Pivot; master classes with the likes of Anne Wheeler, Darren Star, Norman Jewison and Michel Brault; the flagship market simulations and the Great Canadian Barbecue," Ferns reported.

However, success came attached to high costs. Considering travel expenses, accommodation at the Fairmont Banff Hotel (where most of the delegates stayed since it was adjacent to the festival headquarters), the expensive shipping costs, bin or booth space, registration fee and incidentals, Banff has now become one of the most expensive and lavish events in the TV industry.