Banff World Media Festival Unveils Board of Director Changes Amid Industry Contraction

With an eye on a contracting Hollywood and an increasingly global TV industry, the Banff World Media Festival has shaken up its board of directors.

Incoming board members include Prentiss Fraser, president, television distribution at Fifth Season, the financing and production company previously known as Endeavor Content; and Jane Rimer, senior vp, Canada at Banijay Rights, the distribution arm of the indie production conglomerate.

Also coming on board as a new Banff director is Andrew Peterson, head of YouTube Canada. To make way for the changes, Sally Catto, general manager of entertainment, factual and sports at Canadian pubcaster CBC, and Toon Boom Animation CEO Colin Bohm are stepping down.

And Brenda Gilbert, a producer at restructuring Bron Media, has been replaced as vice chair of the board of directors by Patrick Vien, group managing director, international at A+E Networks.

The leadership changes at Banff follows Sean Cohan, president of Bell Media, becoming chair of Banff’s board of directors just as the entertainment industry is contracting after the end of Peak TV and another round of industry consolidation, especially among streaming giants, appears likely.

Cohan said in a statement on Monday: “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.”