16 - Friday, June 25, 1999 — North Shore News The littl Katharine Hamer Contributing Writer WHEN the Banff Television Festival first opened its doors in 1977, only a handful of local filmmakers took part. Since then, the event has grown beyond anyone’s expecta- tions: it’s now the largest week in the annual calendar of the sleepy mountain town. NEWS photo Katharine Homer THE buzz at Banif: Martin Short, Aily McBeal and Canadian Mounties. This year, the festival celebrated its 20th anniversary with close to 2,000 delegates in attendance. It is the largest industry gather- ing of its kind in the world, and the place for the movers and groovers in broadcasting to broker deals and pick up tips on production, programming, and policy. Media types from across Canada, the ULS., Europe and Asia congregated in the shadow of the Rockies to listen to lectures, pitch ideas, and munch on smorgasbords of food from the Bantf Springs Hotel. In the warm sunshine of the conference centre patio, dele- festival gates swilled coffee and ate power breakfasts, while a gaggle of Asian television executives had group photos taken with the mountains as a backdrop. Amongst the more unusual advertising techniques was a giant walking condom hired by the producer of a tilm about sex. Rumour has it that the bipedal prophylactic was vrilled by festival security about its lack of a delegate badge. [he festival’s annual Banff Rockie Awards, with program entries from around the world, has become known as “the Olympics of Television.” his year, the Air Canada Grand Prize tor “the best television program in the world” went to the Irish drama Avuenase Women. Meanwhile, Awards of Excellence were presented to two television luminaries — diminutive comedian Martin Short, who posed tor pictures with his wite, kids and a Mountic in full regalia —- and Ally McBeal creator David E. Kellev. Joked Kelley: “Female lawyers come up ro me and say, *] am Ally McBeal — f never know whether to say congratulations — or get help!” * Bur it was the up-and-coming faces at the festival who seemed to provide what Vancouver comedian Jacques Lalonde referred to as “the buzz at Banff.” St. James? Gate, otherwise known as “the Trish pub,” became the evening stomping ground for young producers — many of whom were from Vancouver. Local filmmaker Erin Mussolum, whose large jar of glitter graced the faces of many pub-goers, attended the festival on a CTV fellowship, and was amongst those who came away from Banff with unexpectedly fruitful results. Mussolum and her partner David Johans won the “Two in A Room” competition, in which candidates are selected to pitch an idea to major international broadcasters, with the promise of $10,000 in development funding. The pair came up with Piano Lessons — a one hour documentary about those who love and loathe the instrument — from resentful tykes to renowned virtuosos. Mussolum says it was “very scary” pitch- ing to industry bigwi igs, but was thrilled to receive the commission. “It was really over- whelming,” she says. “I’m totaily grateful.” “] had a very different idea of what Banff was about,” said Vancouver producer Erik Paulsson, who was attending the festival for the first time. “I was expecting more of a car- porate event, but it rurned out that Banff was a place for people in the industry to go and “Five with Michael Dell’ B Listen as Michael Dell, CEO of Dell Computer, discusses his strategies for Dells” future @ Hear how this 34-year old envisions the Internet will fundamentally change business @ Call in to ask your questions on this live satellite broadcast. Wed, June 33 @ 3:00 pm This broadcast is free, but seating is limited. Call or stop by teday fer reservations. Nick Marchi Investment Representative Re-broadcasting Tues, July 6 @ 7:00pm 903 West 16th St., Unit B, North Vancouver 980-5991 Philip Kuzyk * Investnbent Reprventative Re-broadcasting Wed, July 7 @ 7:00pm 223 Mountain Hwy, Unit 112, North Vancouver 980-7433 dwardJones Serving Individual Investors Member CIPF that could relax and break down barriers. Everyone was very open — its a very Canadian thing, I think. T can’t imagine this happening in the Us.” Paulsson also appreciated the chance the festival gave delegates to forge international connections. “When you're living in Coming in y 1999 BC Games for Athletes with a Disability july 7-11 North Vancouver Official Souvenir Program Canada,” he says, “vou're so focused on get- ting funding from ‘Telefilm and so on that you forget there’s a whole other worid out there. If you can make a project that’s inter- national in scope, there’s a much better chance you'll get it finished.” “There was definitely a big Vancouver contingent there,” says Mussolum. “Ir was a neat thing to see Vancouver people doing so well. It shows that, despite the shortage of funding, there® S passion in what we're > doing out here.” TH 7 North Shore News! British Columbia Sport & Fitness Council for the Disabled LOOK AT HOW WE’VE GROWN! If you enjoy gardening or are interested in beautifying your yard or patio then you’re going to love this fabulous new 16,000 sq.ft. store in Park Royal South. Plants Galore is located beside the Eaton's Home store giving you easy access to over 600 covered parking spots You can enter through the parking jot right into the 7,000 sq.ft. Garden Centre and Nursery or into the store through our parking lot entrance... you'll find the Garden Centre well stocked with common and uncommon plant material. If you have any gardening questions just ask one of our friendly, krowledgeable a staff. Ba The 9,000 sq.ft. inside store is absolutely 4 everything you could ever think of for your garden, patio, yard, pool, or spa. If you need fe fencing, custom designed planters, B.C. Bj made gazebos, garden sheds, patio furni- ture, cedar furniture, umbrellas, lattices, spa and pool chemicals and FREE water testing on-site.we have it all! Plants Galore also offers a full service floral department availabie for all your flo- | needs such as Weddings, Graduations, Bereavements, and those special occasions. Our florists can design for you silk or dried arrangements for the home or office. Delivery service is also available. Have you been down to the Butterfly Patch? You can sit down and relax with a coffee or tea, enjoy one of our fresh pastries ka from ‘The Vailey Bakery’ and reada fae) book from our book store. It is _ open daily from llam until 5pm. Plants Galore - Garden and Patio Centre provides everything you can think of to make your home and Garden look wonder- ful. Summer has now begun, so stop in an experience it for yourself! Other Departments We Have . © Seeds ¢ Annuals ¢ Ceramics « Wooden Planters © Plastic Pots & Planters © Wind Chimes ¢ Fertilizers * Tropicals @ Books © Candles/Giftware « Henri Statuary & Fountains © Shrubs & Perennials * Pond Accessories & Plants ¢ Full Service Florist © Pool/Spa Cinemicals & Free Water Testing Patio Furniture & Accessories © Pesticides PLANTS GALORE Garden & & Patio Centre piv 1120 Park Royal South, West Vancouve Hours of Operation Mon.-Wed. Yam - 6pm Thurs.-Fri. Yam - 9pm Sat. Som - 7 gpm Sun. 9am - DUE SOR cee