BANFF World Television Festival and Japan’s NHK Announce $20,000 Award Program Prize
Submission Deadline for “NHK Best Asian Program Prize” is February 16, 2009
Banff – The Banff World Television Festival (BANFF) and NHK, Japan’s public broadcaster, are pleased to announce their second year of partnership on the “NHK Best Asian Program Prize” at the Banff World Television Awards. This distinguished award pays tribute to special TV programs about Asia from both Asia and around the world. As title sponsor of the award, NHK has committed $20,000 (CDN) to the prize winner announced at the 2009 Banff World Television Awards Ceremony. BANFF takes place June 7-10, 2009 at the Fairmont Banff Springs in Banff, Canada.
“NHK is a leader in public broadcasting and an advocate for Asian content and programs produced around the world,” says Peter Vamos, Executive Director of the Banff World Television Festival. “We are proud to partner with NHK once again to honour excellence in television programming and celebrate the diversity in Asian cultures.”
“Asia is full of stories waiting to be discovered,” says Fumio Narashima, NHK’s Head of International Program Development. “It’s a very diverse region of countries each with their own distinct language, culture, and religion. These differences mean that program-making in and about Asia can be extremely challenging and, at the same time, extremely interesting. That’s why we want to celebrate these programs.”
The 2008 NHK Best Asian Program Prize was awarded to the producers of “White Light/Black Rain: The Destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki” by HBO Documentary Films in association with Farallon Films, USA.
The deadline for submissions to the “NHK Best Asian Program Prize” is February 16, 2009. Every project entered in this year’s program competition, regardless of category entered, will be considered for the prize provided it meets the requirements specified. Eligible entries include all programs produced in Asia and programs produced anywhere in the world with the primary content being about Asia or Asian subject matter. For program guidelines and entry forms, go to the Festival’s official site.
The Banff World Television Awards is one of the world’s most prestigious program competitions. Also known as “The Rockies”, the awards honour excellence in international television, covering all major genres in over 23 categories. The Early Bird deadline for entries to the Awards programs is February 2, and the final deadline is February 16, 2009.
