Technology PEI, the Banff Television Foundation and the Atlantic Digital Media Festival Society announced today that the Banff Foundation will take over the ownership, organization, management and production of the annual International New Media Festival. The Festival was held last year for the first time in Brudenell.
Under the new agreement, Prince Edward Island will remain the home of the festival, which is held annually in October. Technology PEI will continue its role as title sponsor while the Atlantic Digital Media Festival Society will relinquish its control of the event.
The Banff Television Foundation is an internationally recognized event management group whose productions include the Banff Television Festival, a highly regarded annual event for the film and television industry.
"Having such a prestigious group involved in the Festival is a true indication of the event's importance in the industry," said Mike Currie, Minister of Development and Technology. "The Festival has already generated important connections for this province, such as Immersion Studios location in the Atlantic Technology Centre. It will continue to spotlight PEI's emerging and important new media industry."
The International New Media Festival is a three-day event attracting new media producers, industry visionaries, professionals artists and innovators from around the world. They take part in a number of interactive panels, sessions and new media screenings focusing on the creative process and elements necessary for the development of new media content. Other attendees include developers, buyers, broadcasters and investors who help identify current growth opportunities and future trends in the industry. As part of the Festival, the Awards competition recognizes creative achievement and innovative works by new media producers world-wide.
"This is a very exciting acquisition for the Foundation," said Pat Ferns, president and CEO of the Banff Television Foundation. "We have had a long association with the INMF through CyberPitch and professional development exchanges, so we already feel that we are family. The enthusiasm of Technology PEI gives us great confidence that we can build a world-class brand for this leading edge event."
"The New Media Festival is entering an exciting new phase in its development," said Richard Lorway, Co-Chair of the Atlantic Digital Media Festival Society. "The Board is extremely pleased that the event will continue to grow, and we're confident the collaboration between Banff and Technology PEI provides the Festival with a solid foundation for the future."
The International New Media Festival was first held in 1997 in Sydney, Nova Scotia. It then moved to Baddeck, Cape Breton for four years before locating in Brudenell.