The Banff World Media Festival (BANFF) announced the appointment of new members and a key executive to its prestigious Foundation Board of Directors. They are Prentiss Fraser, President of Television Distribution at Fifth Season; Andrew Peterson, Head of YouTube Canada; and Jane Rimer, Senior Vice President, Canada, at Banijay Rights. Additionally, Patrick Vien, Group Managing Director, International at A+E Networks, has been named Vice Chair of the Board, succeeding Brenda Gilbert, producer and Co-Founder of Bron Media, who will continue to serve as a member of the Board of Directors.
BANFF also extends its heartfelt gratitude to two retiring Board Members for their invaluable contributions: Sally Catto, General Manager of Entertainment, Factual and Sports at CBC, and Colin Bohm, Chief Executive Officer of Toon Boom Animation Inc. These leadership updates come in the wake of Sean Cohan, President of Bell Media, being recently appointed as Chair of BANFF’s Board of Directors.
Cohan stated that the changes aim to strengthen the festival's impact: “This is a pivotal moment for BANFF as we continue to grow our impact on and service to the global media industry. With the addition of such accomplished leaders to our Board, we are well-positioned to advance the Festival’s mission of facilitating major business partnerships and fostering creative collaboration on new film, TV, and digital projects. There is more to come as we lead up to the 2025 festival. Stay tuned;" noted.
Based in Banff, Alberta, Canada, BANFF is a premier marketplace and conference, offering an intimate space where creative inspiration, expert insights, and unparalleled access converge to launch innovative content and fresh business strategies. With over 45 years of history, the festival has become a must-attend annual event where media executives, producers, creatives, broadcasters, and digital media companies collaborate, address industry trends, and form partnerships—all set against one of the world’s most breathtaking landscapes.