2021 Agenda

Please note all times are in Eastern Time (ET)

More content to be announced!

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Panels + Keynote Conversations

Tuesday, May 25

2:00pm

Perfecting your Virtual Pitch (2:00pm - 2:45pm)

*Marketplace Pass exclusive

Get tips and tricks of the trade from industry experts on how to prepare your pitches ahead of BANFF 2021. 


Featuring:

Elaine Chin

Senior Vice President, Scripted TV/Film

Stage 13

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Elyse Delmore

VP, Unscripted Development

MGM Studios, Inc

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Rachel Reade Marcus

VP of Development

Guru Studio

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Monday, June 14

11:00am

In Conversation with: CRTC Chairperson and CEO Ian Scott (11:00am - 11:45am)

In Partnership With

Join Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Chairperson and CEO Ian Scott for a discussion on how Canada can unlock the full economic potential and cultural value of homegrown audiovisual content amidst the challenges of foreign streaming services, piracy and creating a sustainable funding ecosystem for Canadian content. Will a new legislative framework rebalance the system and provide the enforcement powers to support the production, distribution and discovery of Canadian content and stories?

Canadian Content

Moderating:


Jordan Pinto

n/a

Playback

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Featuring:

Ian Scott

Chairperson & CEO

CRTC Canadian Radio Television & Telecommunications Commissions

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12:30pm

Summit Series: Ted Sarandos, co-CEO and Chief Content Officer, Netflix (12:30pm - 1:15pm)

In Partnership With

Join us for a keynote conversation with Ted Sarandos, the co-CEO and Chief Content Officer of Netflix, celebrating 10 years since it debuted in Canada – a move which proved crucial for eventual expansion into 190 countries. Where does Sarandos see new opportunities amidst the current climate of change? Don’t miss this discussion on creating content that members from around the world love, including animation ambitions, the future of film, and Netflix’s goals to increase diversity in front of and behind the screen.

Moderating:


Kirstine Stewart

Chief Revenue Officer

World Economic Forum

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Featuring:

Ted Sarandos

Co-Chief Executive Officer

Netflix

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2:00pm

Systemic solutions: breaking barriers and rebuilding a better entertainment industry (2:00pm - 2:45pm)

In Partnership With

For years companies have been promising to ‘do better’ and publicly announcing metrics and mandates to improve diversity, equity and inclusion. This past year has shone a spotlight on just how much work there is still to do. Meet executives that are blazing new trails by creating organizational initiatives, empowering diverse creators, and challenging the status quo. Hear what they believe every company should be doing.

Moderating:


Kadon Douglas

Executive Director

BIPOC TV & Film

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Featuring:

Karen Gray

EVP, Human Resources

A+E Networks

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Dr. Tasmin Plater

Head of HR

Endeavor Content

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Tonya Williams

Founder & Executive Director

Access Reelworld

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Grace Wu

Executive Vice President, Entertainment Casting

NBCUniversal Television and Streaming

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4:00pm

Media leaders 2021: sharing strategies for the future (4:00pm - 4:45pm)

In Partnership With

The global pandemic pushed a giant fast-forward button on issues and business models: speeding up consumer trends, upending business as normal and shining a spotlight on societal issues like racism, democracy and the climate crisis. Executives need to be bold, visionary risk takers to succeed. Join this group of international media leaders as they discuss the responsibility of the media to hold itself accountable, managing teams in this moment and positioning their companies to maximize success.

Moderating:


Alison Brower

LA Bureau Chief

Insider Inc.

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Featuring:

Brenda Gilbert

Co-Founder and President

BRON Media Corporation

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Stephen MacDonald

President, Global Content Licensing & International

A+E Networks

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Cathy Payne

CEO

Banijay Rights

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Sandra Stern

Vice Chairman

Lionsgate Entertainment

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Tuesday, June 15

11:00am

Trend report: what’s hot with kids now (11:00am - 11:45am)

In Partnership With

With thousands of cross-platform touchpoints, it’s never been more difficult—or more important—to reach kids with entertaining and educational content that captures and holds their attention. Don’t miss this group of executives as they discuss what’s trending in the kids-content business and where it's going to go next.

Moderating:


Keith Dawkins

Founder & CEO

Rock Hill Media Ventures

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Featuring:

Frank Falcone

President & Executive Creative Director

Guru Studio

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Amy Friedman

Founder & President

Warner Bros

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Lauren Glaubach

Director, Head of Family Partnerships & Programming

Google/YouTube

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Nina Hahn

President

Nickelodeon UK

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Sarah Muller

Senior Head of Commissioning (7+)

BBC Children's

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In Conversation With: Canadian Media Leaders - APTN (11:00am - 11:15am)

In Partnership With

BANFF catches up with senior executives guiding the future of Canada's largest media companies, examining their vision for the future, hearing about the innovations they are working on, and addressing some of the industry's big questions.

Canadian Content

Featuring:

Monika Ille

CEO

APTN Aboriginal Peoples Television Network Inc.

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12:00pm

In Conversation with Danielle Brooks (12:00pm - 12:30pm)

Join moderator Loni Love as we take a deep dive into Danielle Brooks' latest role - both as Actor and Producer - in Lifetime's Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia. 

This session was presented at the private event: Women of Power 2021, presented in partnership with Corus Entertainment, A+E Networks and The Hollywood Reporter. 

12:30pm

An Opportunity for Change: Empowering Women in Entertainment (12:30pm - 1:30pm)

What a year it has been. The pandemic has had an outsized impact on women, creating a "she-cession" that might span decades to recovery. Add to that the ongoing drive to eliminate racism in our society and the need to address the gender gap in our industry through an intersectional lens. This panel will shine a light on personal stories from a cross-section of women working in entertainment and share inspiration on how we can come together to build an industry that creates more opportunity and a more positive future. 

This session was presented at the private event: Women of Power 2021, presented in partnership with Corus Entertainment, A+E Networks and The Hollywood Reporter. 

1:00pm

Summit Series: Maverick Carter, CEO, The SpringHill Company (1:00pm - 1:45pm)

Join us for a conversation with The SpringHill Company’s CEO Maverick Carter, who together with business partner LeBron James, has built a media conglomerate, inclusive of UNINTERRUPTED, SpringHill Entertainment and the Robot Company, that is dedicated to empowering communities and pushing culture forward. As one of BANFF’s featured Summit Series speakers, Carter brings his experience to BANFF’s virtual stage, sharing SpringHill’s mission to empower greatness in every individual and how that’s innovating the media landscape.

Moderating:


Mark Anthony Green

Special Projects Editor, GQ

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Featuring:

Maverick Carter

CEO

The SpringHill Company

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2:30pm

In Conversation With: Canadian Media Leaders - Bell Media (2:30pm - 2:45pm)

In Partnership With

BANFF catches up with senior executives guiding the future of Canada's largest media companies, examining their vision for the future, hearing about the innovations they are working on, and addressing some of the industry's big questions.

Canadian Content

Featuring:

Karine Moses

Senior Vice President, Content Development and News and Vice Chair, Québec

BCE Bell Canada Enterprises Inc

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Wednesday, June 16

10:30am

In Conversation With: Canadian Media Leaders - Blue Ant Media (10:30am - 10:45am)

In Partnership With

BANFF catches up with senior executives guiding the future of Canada's largest media companies, examining their vision for the future, hearing about the innovations they are working on, and addressing some of the industry's big questions.

Canadian Content

Featuring:

Jamie Schouela

President, Global Channels and Media

Blue Ant Media

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11:00am

CMF Partner Presentation: In Conversation with Simu Liu (11:00am - 11:45am)

In Partnership With

Don’t miss a conversation with Simu Liu, 2021 Canadian Award of Distinction honouree, MADE | NOUS ambassador, star of Marvel’s upcoming Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and CBC’s Kim's Convenience and broadcaster, musician and actor Sook-Yin Lee. The pair will discuss Simu’s path to becoming Marvel’s first Asian superhero and MADE’s Seek More campaign which champions the importance of inclusion and representation for Canadian audiences.

Moderating:


Sook-Yin Lee

Multimedia Artist and Broadcaster

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Featuring:

Simu Liu

Actor/Producer/Writer

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12:00pm

Tales from the hitmakers: strategies for the streaming era (12:00pm - 12:45pm)

In Partnership With

The content creation landscape has changed dramatically in the past 12 months, with new platforms launching and consumer habits shifting. Join our panel of superstar producers for a vibrant discussion on the new avenues storytelling is taking, and the impact the past year is having at all levels of the business. What does the world of creating hit content look like in our evolving world?

Moderating:


Michael Schneider

TV Editor

Variety

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Featuring:

Sarah Bremner

President

ARRAY Filmworks

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Andy Harries

Chief Executive

Left Bank Pictures

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Christina Jennings

Chairman & President

Shaftesbury

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Montrel McKay

President of Development & Production

Hoorae Film & TV

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Rishi Rajani

CEO

Hillman Grad Productions

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Cathy Schulman

President and CEO

Welle Entertainment

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3:00pm

In Conversation With: Kenan Thompson and Seth Meyers (3:00pm - 3:45pm)

In Partnership With

Join this year’s Sir Peter Ustinov Comedy Award honoree Kenan Thompson for a conversation on all things comedy. Thompson recently wrapped his 18th season of Saturday Night Live and is the show’s longest-running cast member. He also stars in and executive produces the NBC comedy Kenan, which will return in 2022. Meyers is the host of Late Night with Seth Meyers and previously worked alongside Thompson as a cast member and head writer on Saturday Night Live.

Moderating:


Seth Meyers

Host, Late Night with Seth Meyers

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Featuring:

Kenan Thompson

Actor (Saturday Night Live, Kenan)

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4:00pm

Meet the BANFF Board of Directors and Content Advisory Board (4:00pm - 5:00pm)

*Marketplace Pass exclusive

Join us for a virtual mixer with members of the BANFF Board of Directors and this year’s Content Advisory Board.

To enter the room, follow these simple steps:

  1. Be on a LAPTOP or a DESKTOP COMPUTER (the lounge platform does not offer all interactive features on a mobile device)

  2. Use GOOGLE CHROME Browser

  3. High Speed Internet connection offers the best experience

  4. Click on the Enter button below (this button appears on this page during the posted session times)

  5. Allow camera and microphone access on your computer  

  6. Provide your credentials/register with the Airmeet lounge platform.
    Be sure to use the same email address you used to register for the Banff World Media Festival event, so that the system recognizes you as an approved Marketplace passholder. 

Enter “the venue (and follow prompts from there)

Featuring:

Emily Andras

Creator, Showrunner and Executive Producer, Wynonna Earp

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Kevin Beggs

Chair and Chief Creative Officer, Television Group

Lionsgate Entertainment

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Colin Bohm

CEO

Corus Entertainment Inc

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Sylvia Bugg

Chief Programming Executive & General Manager

PBS

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Sally Catto

General Manager, Entertainment, Factual and Sports

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

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Sean Cohan

President

Nielsen Company

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Tom Cox

Executive Producer and Managing Director

SEVEN24 Films

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Valerie Creighton

President & CEO

Canada Media Fund

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Deniese Davis

Founder and CEO

Reform Media Group

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Sandra Dewey

Most recently President, Business Operations and Productions HBO Max, TNT, TBS & truTV

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Sara Geater

Chief Operating Officer

All3Media

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Athena Georgaklis

Vice President

Nelvana Ltd

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Brenda Gilbert

Co-Founder and President

BRON Media Corporation

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Michael Gordon

TV Global Scripted Agent

Creative Artists Agency

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Melanie Hadley

Executive Director, Equity and Inclusion-Canada

WarnerMedia

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Andy Harries

Chief Executive

Left Bank Pictures

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Scott Henderson

Board of Directors, BANFF Television Festival Foundation

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Monika Ille

CEO

APTN Aboriginal Peoples Television Network Inc.

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Angela Jain

Director, Unscripted, UK

Lifted Entertainment

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Jeniffer Kim

Most recently Senior Vice President, International Originals HBO Max

HBO Max

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Stephen MacDonald

President, Global Content Licensing & International

A+E Networks

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Marika Makaroff

Founder and CCO

Gutsy Animations

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Matt McGowan

Director and General Manager

Snap

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Lisa Meeches

Founder and Executive Producer

Eagle Vision

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Robin Mirsky

Executive Director, Rogers Group of Funds

Rogers Communications Inc

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Ivan Pehar

Country Manager

Spotify Canada

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Lucie Quenneville

Director General , Programming Strategies and Acquisitions

Bell Media

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Tamra Simmons

CEO and Executive Producer

The TSB Agency & Live Always Productions

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Emily Smith

VP, International Original Programming

WarnerMedia

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Vinay Virmani

Partner and Chief Content Officer

Uninterrupted Canada

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Thursday, June 17

9:30am

In Conversation With: Canadian Media Leaders - Corus Entertainment (9:30am - 9:45am)

In Partnership With

BANFF catches up with senior executives guiding the future of Canada's largest media companies, examining their vision for the future, hearing about the innovations they are working on, and addressing some of the industry's big questions.

Canadian Content

Featuring:

Doug Murphy

President and CEO

Corus Entertainment Inc

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11:00am

Visée internationale: Comment les contenus francophones réussissent à captiver les publics du monde entier? (11:00am - 11:45am)

In Partnership With

Les contenus francophones sont en plein essor; non seulement le rythme de production s'accélère, mais la demande du public aussi. Rejoignez-nous lors d'une discussion avec les producteurs de certaines des émissions francophones les plus en vue sur la scène mondiale. Ils nous expliqueront comment leurs productions résonnent auprès de publics de toutes langues à travers le monde et quelles tendances se dessinent pour l'avenir des contenus francophones.

Going global: how local French-language content is captivating international audiences

French-language content is booming; not only is the pace of production accelerating, so is audience demand. Join us to hear from the producers behind some of the French-language shows making a splash on the global stage as they discuss how their content is reaching and resonating with audiences of all languages worldwide, plus the trends they see emerging for the future of French-language content.

**Closed captioning translation will be available during this session



Moderating:


Mara Gourd-Mercado

Directrice Generale

Académie canadienne du cinéma et de la télévision - section Québec

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Featuring:

Jocelyn Deschênes

President, Chef Producteur Executif-Contenu Original Fiction-Internationale

Sphere Media International Inc.

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Charles Ohayon

Ventes internationales

Productions Casablanca

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Carlos Soldevila

Co-Founder, President & Executive Producer

Trio Orange

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Harold Valentin

Producer

Mother Production

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1:30pm

In Conversation With: Canadian Media Leaders - Quebecor (1:30pm - 1:45pm)

In Partnership With

BANFF catches up with senior executives guiding the future of Canada's largest media companies, examining their vision for the future, hearing about the innovations they are working on, and addressing some of the industry's big questions.

Canadian Content

Featuring:

Pierre Karl Peledeau

President & CEO

Quebecor Media Inc.

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2:00pm

Summit Series: Kevin Feige and Kari Skogland (2:00pm - 2:45pm)

In Partnership With

Join us for an exclusive conversation with Kevin Feige, President, Marvel Studios and Chief Creative Officer, Marvel and Kari Skogland, CEO of Mad Rabbit and the award-winning director of Marvel Studios’ The Falcon and the Winter Soldier streaming exclusively on Disney+. Don’t miss this discussion as Feige and Skogland dive deeper into the making of the Marvel Cinematic Universe series and share their thoughts on the future of storytelling.

Moderating:


Kelley Carter

Senior Entertainment Reporter, ESPN's The Undefeated

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Featuring:

Kevin Feige

President, Marvel Studios and Chief Creative Officer, Marvel

Marvel

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Kari Skogland

CEO

Mad Rabbit

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3:00pm

Showrunner Superpanel: making content for the new world (3:00pm - 3:45pm)

In Partnership With

Don’t miss this conversation with some of the industry’s top scripted showrunners as they discuss storytelling in 2021, addressing systemic racism on and off screen and adapting to creating content with continuously shifting guidelines.

Moderating:


Lorraine Ali

TV Critic

Los Angeles Times

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Featuring:

Loren Bouchard

Creator and Showrunner, Bob's Burgers (Fox) and Central Park (Apple TV+)

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Marta Kauffman

Creator, Friends and Grace & Frankie; Owner/Executive Producer, Okay Goodnight

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Nahnatchka Khan

Showrunner, Writer, and Director

Fierce Baby Productions

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Alena Smith

Creator, Showrunner and Executive Producer

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4:30pm

In Conversation With: Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault (4:30pm - 5:15pm)

In Partnership With

Join Minister of Canadian Heritage Steven Guilbeault as he sits down with Creative BC CEO Prem Gill for an exclusive conversation on pressing industry issues including the status of Bill C-10, COVID-19 recovery and Creative Export Canada.

Canadian Content

Moderating:


Prem Gill

CEO

Creative BC

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Featuring:

Steven Guilbeault

Minister of Canadian Heritage

Government of Canada

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Friday, June 18

9:30am

What it means to run a public broadcaster in 2021 (and beyond) (9:30am - 10:20am)

In Partnership With

Public media has never been so important, nor under so much threat. Constrained by past realities as governments work to update public broadcasting policy to level the playing field, what are their key strategies for pubcasters to not only survive but creatively and commercially thrive in today’s media universe? Join us as we regather executives leading some of the world’s most prominent public broadcasters to update the BANFF 2019 discussion on the utility and role of public service broadcasters in the era of disinformation, and how they aim to fulfill their mandate to provide cultural and educational fare across platforms.

Moderating:


Kate Bulkley

Award-winning business journalist and media commentator

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Featuring:

David Anderson

Managing Director

ABC Australia

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Sylvia Bugg

Chief Programming Executive & General Manager

PBS

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Tim Davie

Director-General

BBC

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Catherine Tait

President & CEO

CBC/Radio-Canada

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10:30am

In Conversation With: Canadian Media Leaders - Rogers Sports & Media (10:30am - 10:45am)

In Partnership With

BANFF catches up with senior executives guiding the future of Canada's largest media companies, examining their vision for the future, hearing about the innovations they are working on, and addressing some of the industry's big questions.

Canadian Content

Featuring:

Alfredo Tan

SVP, Managing Director

Rogers Sports & Media

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11:00am

Where does the future of Canadian content production lie? (11:00am - 11:45am)

In Partnership With

There's a lot happening in the Canadian production sector in 2021: sweeping changes at the broadcasters have created an unclear commissioning picture; global streamers are set to begin hiring Canadian commissioning execs; significant moves are underway to address and remove systemic barriers; Broadcasting Act revisions could alter the industry's underpinnings; and we're still dealing with the economic fallout of the pandemic. One minute, it seems the sky is falling the next, opportunities for domestic producers have never been greater. Here, production heads weigh in on how these pieces fit together, and what they mean for the future of the Canadian content sector.

Canadian Content

Moderating:


Jordan Pinto

n/a

Playback

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Featuring:

Jennifer Holness

President

Hungry Eyes Media Inc.

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Matt Hornburg

Co-President

marblemedia

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Kyle Irving

Co-Owner and Executive Producer

Eagle Vision

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Floyd Kane

President

Freddie Films Inc.

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Carrie Mudd

President

Peacock Alley Entertainment

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12:30pm

Summit Series: Channing Dungey, Greg Berlanti and Kaley Cuoco (12:30pm - 1:15pm)

In Partnership With

A flight attendant wakes up in the wrong hotel, in the wrong bed, with a dead man — and no idea what happened. That’s the beginning of the story of The Flight Attendant, the breakout hit HBO Max/Warner Bros. Television series from executive producer/star Kaley Cuoco and executive producer Greg Berlanti. Warner Bros. Television Group Chairman Channing Dungey joins Cuoco and Berlanti for an exclusive conversation about the critically acclaimed, globe-trotting dark comedy which took flight as HBO Max’s #1 series during its first season and was nominated for multiple Screen Actors Guild Awards, Critics Choice Awards and Golden Globe Awards, among many others. Dungey, Cuoco and Berlanti will also discuss plans for their next collaboration — a limited series based on the life of Doris Day, to be produced by Cuoco’s Yes, Norman Productions and Berlanti Productions — and more.

Featuring:

Greg Berlanti

Founder, Berlanti Productions and Executive Producer, The Flight Attendant

Berlanti Productions

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Kaley Cuoco

Star and Executive Producer, The Flight Attendant, Founder, Yes, Norman Productions

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Channing Dungey

Chairman

Warner Bros Television Group

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1:30pm

In Conversation With: Canadian Media Leaders - CBC (1:30pm - 1:45pm)

In Partnership With

BANFF catches up with senior executives guiding the future of Canada's largest media companies, examining their vision for the future, hearing about the innovations they are working on, and addressing some of the industry's big questions.

Canadian Content

Featuring:

Barbara Williams

Executive Vice-President

CBC Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

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2:00pm

Exclusive Q&A: BLINDSPOTTING (2:00pm - 3:00pm)

In Partnership With

From Co-Creators & Executive Producers Rafael Casal & Daveed Diggs, this hot new Comedy-Drama Series follows Ashley (Jasmine Cephas Jones), who is enjoying a peaceful life in Oakland until her partner of 12 years and father of their son is suddenly incarcerated, leaving her to navigate a chaotic and comedic existential crisis as she is forced to move in with his family.
Join the cast and co-creators for this exclusive post-screening Q&A, available below On Demand (screening not included.) 

Featuring:

Rafael Casal

Co-Creator, Executive Producer, Actor, Showrunner & Director

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Jasmine Cephas Jones

Actor & Producer

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Daveed Diggs

Co-Creator, Executive Producer & Writer

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Benjamin Earl Turner

Actor & Writer

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3:00pm

State of the Nation: Canadian industry at a crossroads (3:00pm - 3:45pm)

In Partnership With

The stakes are high. Never before has the Canadian industry been at such a crossroads. Join us for a frank conversation with key stakeholders from across the media landscape on the current outlook and the way forward. How can the Canadian industry position itself to be successful in the quickly changing global business ecosystem?

Canadian Content

Moderating:


Jenn Kuzmyk

Executive Director - BANFF, Publisher - Playback

Playback

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Featuring:

Valerie Creighton

President & CEO

Canada Media Fund

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Christa Dickenson

President & CEO

Telefilm Canada

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Joan Jenkinson

Executive Director

Black Screen Office

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Reynolds Mastin

President & CEO

Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA)

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Jesse Wente

Outgoing Co-Executive Director Indigenous Screen Office

Canada’s Indigenous Screen Office

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Monday, June 21

1:00pm

A cultural conversation: the future of Indigenous broadcasting and streaming (1:00pm - 2:00pm)

Indigenous broadcasting plays a growing role in the global media landscape, empowering and contributing to self-determination, narrative-sovereignty and the internationally recognized right of Indigenous peoples to establish their own media in their own languages. Join this gathering of international broadcasting executives – many representing channels that serve audiences in Indigenous languages – for a broad conversation on resources, systemic obstacles, the power of co-production and how they hope to harness new technology and emerging platforms to increase accessibility.

Moderating:


Monika Ille

CEO

APTN Aboriginal Peoples Television Network Inc.

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Featuring:

Tanya Denning-Orman

Director, Indigenous Content

SBS

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Alan Esslemont

Director General, TG4, Chair, The Celtic Media Festival

TG4

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Kim Larsen

Head of Television and Production

KNR Radio/TV, Greenland Broadcasting Corporation

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Maramena Roderick

Director of Content

Maori TV

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Lucy Tulugarjuk

Managing Director

Uvagut TV

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4:00pm

Nations to Nations: Canadian Indigenous stories on a global stage (4:00pm - 4:45pm)

This is an exciting time for Canadian Indigenous content. Join this gathering of creators for a conversation about how international and domestic markets are responding to their latest work, across all platforms. Where do they see opportunities? What are the new pathways of collaboration? How are changes in the global media ecosystem opening up possibilities? And what can Canada do to become a leader in the development of Indigenous content?

Moderating:


Adam Garnet Jones

Director of TV Content and Special Events

APTN

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Featuring:

Shane Belcourt

Director

Directors Guild of Canada

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Lisa Jackson

Director & Producer

Door Number 3 Productions Inc.

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JJ Neepin

Director

JJNEEPINFILMS INC.

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Loretta Sarah Todd

Producer, Director, Writer & Showrunner

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Tuesday, June 22

2:00pm

Director Superpanel: a vision for the future (2:00pm - 2:45pm)

In Partnership With

During a year of upheaval across all areas of the business, directors were key to keeping the industry alive. Join us for an exclusive chance to hear from some of the hottest directors as they discuss how the past year impacted them and their creative work, from what they are making to who they are collaborating with.

Moderating:


Molly McGlynn

Owner

Hail Mary Films

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Featuring:

Andrew Cividino

Writer/Director

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Matt Shakman

Director/Executive Producer

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Clement Virgo

Director

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Dawn Wilkinson

Writer & Director

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4:00pm

Exclusive Q&A: FAMILY LAW (4:00pm - 5:30pm)

In Partnership With

Set in Vancouver, Canada, Family Law follows lawyer and recovering alcoholic Abigail ‘Abby’ Bianchi (Jewel Staite) struggling to put her career and family back together after hitting rock bottom. As a condition of her probation, Abby is forced to work at her estranged father’s (Victor Garber) firm, Svensson and Associates, and practice in family law for the first time while forging new relationships with the half-brother (Zach Smadu) and half-sister (Genelle Williams) whom she’s never met. The result is a dysfunctional family law firm operating to help other families with their own dysfunctions.
Join the cast and crew for this exclusive post-screening Q&A, available below On Demand (screening not included.) 

Moderating:


Rachel Nelson

Vice President, Original Programming and Head of Corus Studios

Corus Entertainment Inc

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Featuring:

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Susin Nielsen

Creator and Showrunner/Executive Producer

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Jordy Randall

Executive Producer

SEVEN24 Films

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Zach Smadu

Actor

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Jewel Staite

Actor

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Wednesday, June 23

2:00pm

Reelworld Partner Presentation: Enriching the Production Landscape with Diversity and Inclusion Through Co-Productions and Partnerships (2:00pm - 2:45pm)

In Partnership With

As production companies scramble to meet the new demands of diversity and inclusion from linear and streaming platforms around the world, creating access to talent who are Black, Indigenous and People of Colour is crucial for tapping into a rich and diverse cast and crew. This international panel will discuss the important role that co-productions now play in fostering diversity in TV content production and offer critical resources, such as dedicated databases, that producers can use to connect to racially diverse talent and crew. The discussion will also examine systemic barriers of entry for Black, Indigenous and People of Colour and provide key takeaways for diverse producers on leveraging co-productions that will ultimately lead to the creation of diverse stories that audiences around the world are waiting to hear.


Moderating:


Manori Ravindran

Executive Editor, International & Senior Writer

Variety

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Featuring:

Aisling Chin-Yee

Writer, Director, Producer and Founder

Fluent Films

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Tammy Garnes

Vice President of Education & Understanding

ARRAY

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Derren Lawford

Founder

Woodcut Media

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Tonya Williams

Founder & Executive Director

Access Reelworld

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3:00pm

Window into the ‘Feature’: the new strategies for releasing films (3:00pm - 3:45pm)

In Partnership With

The past year has been a groundshaking one for the media business. Movie theatres and the theatrical windows have been impacted significantly. Join this panel of heavy-hitters as they dive into the future of film releasing and share insights into how producers can navigate and succeed in a world of competitive streamers and changed theatrical windows.

Moderating:


Kara Swisher

Sway and Pivot podcaster, NYT opinion writer and executive producer of the Code Conference

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Featuring:

Hussain Amarshi

President & Founder

Mongrel Media Inc

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Lynette Howell Taylor

Founder

51 Entertainment

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Franklin Leonard

Founder and CEO

Black List

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John Sloss

Founder

Cinetic Media

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Thursday, June 24

1:00pm

Streaming the future forward (1:00pm - 1:45pm)

In Partnership With

The streaming market matured rapidly. In this session, senior international media executives will address what’s new and next in the streaming space, how they are harnessing lessons from the lockdown and how they balance business affairs with making strides in addressing systemic inequities.

Moderating:


Nathalie Lethbridge

Founder and Managing Director

Atonik Digital

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Featuring:

Doug Craig

Senior Vice President, Content Strategy & Acquisitions, Streaming Division

ViacomCBS

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Rebecca Glashow

CEO, Global Distribution

BBC Studios - Americas

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Magda Grace

Head of Prime Video Canada, Australia and New Zealand

Amazon Canada

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Thai Randolph

Strategic Advisor

Laugh Out Loud

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Friday, June 25

3:00pm

Expanding your audience through the power of diverse storytelling (panel + mixer) (3:00pm - 4:30pm)

In Partnership With

Systemic racism continues to feed a lie - that racially diverse stories won’t sell internationally. We now know that is not true - the international market is hungry to see new stories told authentically. Reports show that the industry is sitting on this untapped market, which is worth billions. This panel, featuring some of the top writers and producers from underrepresented communities, is a lesson into the possibilities for creative disruption in the screen industry today to push back boundaries, and show how the power of their content can generate positive change—and dollars.

And don't miss the post-session mixer! Dive into the conversation as we close Week 2 with thoughtful, results-driven discussions about the new opportunities for members of Black, Indigenous, racialized and underrepresented communities to fill creative and executive roles, and how we can level the playing field for up-and-coming voices.

Audience members will be automatically redirected to the post session-mixer after the panel discussion concludes. A link to the mixer will also be added here once the panel begins.


Moderating:


Kristen Marston

Culture & Entertainment Advocacy Director

Color of Change

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Featuring:

Deniese Davis

Founder and CEO

Reform Media Group

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Poppy Hanks

Executive Vice President, Film Production & Development

MACRO

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Mauricio Mota

Founder and Co-President

Wise Entertainment

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Dayna Lynne North

Founder and CEO

Loud Sis Productions

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Tuesday, June 29

12:00pm

Booming doc market: what’s next for high-end factual features and limited series? (12:00pm - 12:45pm)

In Partnership With

Feature docs' and high-end limited doc series have moved out of the sidelines and into the mainstream in recent years, with streamers and broadcasters battling to be the home of top titles that will ignite cultural conversations. Hear from some of the industry’s top commissioners, producers and directors about how the influx of money and celebrity into the sector is impacting the business and the end product that makes it to the screen.

Moderating:


Barry Walsh

Editor-in-Chief & Content Director

Realscreen Magazine

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Featuring:

Michael Kot

Founder

Saloon Media

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Howard Swartz

EVP Development

Discovery Channel

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Tanya Talaga

Journalist and Filmmaker

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Ellen Windemuth

CEO

WaterBear Network

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Wednesday, July 7

12:00pm

Business as unusual: the future of co-production and distribution (12:00pm - 12:45pm)

In Partnership With

Join our panel of industry experts as they share the co-production and distribution trends that will shape the post-COVID landscape. What are the new global strategic partnerships and how are these deals driving business? How are the paused production schedules of 2020/21 impacting the value of catalogue content? Where are the new opportunities for producers? Hear from those sitting around the negotiating table about the future of co-production, distribution partnerships and innovative alliances.

Moderating:


John Elmes

International Editor

Broadcast

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Featuring:

Julie Chang

EVP, Business Strategy & Co-Productions, Global Media

Blue Ant Media

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Michela Di Mondo

EVP Distribution and Sales, Canada

FremantleMedia

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Sally Habbershaw

EVP, Americas

All3Media International

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Jane Rimer

Senior Vice President, Canada

Banijay Rights

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Patrick Vien

Group Managing Director, International

A+E Networks

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Alix Wiseman

SVP, Distribution & Acquisitions

9 Story Media Group

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Monday, July 12

3:00pm

Borderless production: exploring the latest technologies (3:00pm - 3:45pm)

In Partnership With

Innovation is both a driving force and necessity in the new production ecosystem. The workflow of the future requires new best-in-class tools that work for the at-home office, virtual studio and remote location shoot as well as archiving on the back end. Key industry players provide insight into how real-time tech introduced by the gaming industry is revolutionizing production, distribution and monetization.

Moderating:


Ana Serrano

President

OCAD University

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Featuring:

Brandon Bloch

Founding Partner + Executive Producer

Hometeam

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Christina Heller

CEO

Metastage

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Raja Khanna

Founder

Dark Slope Studios

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Miles Perkins

Industry Manager

Epic Games

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Rick Perotto

VP Business Development

William F. White International Inc.

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Tuesday, July 13

12:00pm

AVOD and FAST channels: executives weigh in on opportunities for growth (12:00pm - 12:45pm)

The ad-supported video on demand (AVOD) and free, ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channel ecosystem has been quietly but steadily building momentum amongst the streaming giants over the past year as many cord-cutting consumers increasingly turn to more cost-effective options. Join us for a conversation with some of the industry’s top players as they discuss the value of these seemingly old-school ad-supported channel models in the streaming landscape and the challenges and opportunities ahead for platforms, content creators and consumers.

Moderating:


Tim Peterson

Senior Media Editor

Digiday

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Featuring:

Adam Lewinson

Chief Content Officer

Tubi

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Jacinto Roca

CEO and Founder

Rakuten TV

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Nicholas Savage

SVP of Digital Distribution and Strategy

NBCUniversal

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Jamie Schouela

President, Global Channels and Media

Blue Ant Media

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Jennifer Vaux

VP, Content Acquisition & Programming

Roku

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Wednesday, July 14

3:00pm

TV for good: using the power of content to shift humanity (3:00pm - 3:45pm)

In Partnership With

What role and responsibility do TV creators have in changing the world? From systematic racism to gender and LGBTQ+ rights to climate change, creators, producers and academics dive into the proven power of content to generate real, social change. Learn what role the industry needs to play in creating the systemic change that comes when insights meet influence.

Moderating:


Elamin Abdelmahmoud

Host, CBC Popchat and Party Lines, Culture Writer, Buzzfeed News

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Featuring:

Steven Canals

Co-Creator and Executive Producer, Pose (FX)

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Leslye Headland

Emmy-nominated Writer, Producer, Director

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J.J. Johnson

Partner, Executive Producer

Sinking Ship Entertainment

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Sierra Teller Ornelas

Co-Creator, Showrunner, Writer and Executive Producer, Rutherford Falls

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Friday, July 16

12:00pm

In Conversation with Emily Mortimer (12:00pm - 1:45pm)

In Partnership With

Prime Video Canada and BANFF 2021 invite you to an exclusive conversation with THE PURSUIT OF LOVE writer & director Emily Mortimer. The three part series, which marks Ms. Mortimer's directorial debut, is based on the 1945 novel of the same name and stars Lily James (Baby Driver), Emily Beecham (Cruella), Dominic West (Tomb Raider), and Andrew Scott (His Dark Materials).

The Pursuit of Love arrives to Prime Video in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand on July 30.

Moderating:


Morgan Hoffman

ET Canada Digital Reporter

Corus Entertainment Inc

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Featuring:

Emily Mortimer

Actor, Writer, Director and Producer

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