Oda pledges funding for new media at Banff TV fest
Last Updated: Monday, June 11, 2007 | 11:20 AM ET
CBC Arts
Warning that Canada's new media creators are falling behind their counterparts around the globe, Heritage Minister Bev Oda pledged a $29-million renewal of the Canada New Media Fund on Sunday.
"The rate and speed in which Canadians are moving into the new era seems to be lagging behind those in some other countries," Oda said during her opening address for the Banff World Television Festival.
Oda stressed the importance of supporting domestic creators and offering Canadian new media choices in today's crowded digital media marketplace.
Administered by Telefilm Canada, the Canada New Media Fund was created in 2001 to support the development, production, marketing and distribution of original Canadian new media projects in both official languages.
Over the past six years, the fund has supported projects such as PC games and digital consoles, travel and tourism CD-ROMS, historical and educational websites, DVDs, and streaming audio and video online.
Jeff Bradshaw, head of Calgary-based online video production company Jetstream Digital Media, agrees that Canada has been slower to embrace new media technologies.
"We are lagging behind, but I think it's because there's a disconnect, in my opinion, between the new media developers and the content developers," he told CBC News.
The Banff World Television Festival continues through Wednesday with industry pitch sessions, panels and workshops with prominent writers and producers, and appearances by personalities such as environmentalist David Suzuki and actress Daryl Hannah.
Organizers will also present a series of honours, including the award of excellence to CSI: Crime Scene Investigation executive producer and co-creator Carol Mendelsohn, the Sir Peter Ustinov Comedy Award to Gilbert Rozen and his Just For Laughs festival and a number of prizes at the Banff World Television Awards.
With files from the Canadian PressShare Tools
Jedward on the MMVA red carpet by Laura Thompson Jun. 17, 2013 12:48 PM Cheerful pop duo Jedward had much to say to CBC News on the red carpet Sunday night at the Much Music Video Awards in Toronto. A lot of their excitement came from seeing Avril Lavigne, complete with spiky hairband. Check out the Irish twins in this video clip.
Top News Headlines
- Sopranos star James Gandolfini dies in Italy
- James Gandolfini, whose portrayal of a brutal, emotionally delicate mob boss in HBO's 'The Sopranos' helped create one of TV's greatest drama series and turned the mobster stereotype on its head, died Wednesday in Italy. He was 51. more »
- B.C. First Nation sets fires to save bison
- A First Nation band is reviving the age-old practice of controlled burning in order to improve the health of forests and restore the population of the wood bison in a corner of northeastern B.C. more »
- Canada buys rare War of 1812 collection for $573K
- The government of Canada was the winning bidder for a large collection of letters, maps and other papers that once belonged to Sir John Sherbrooke, the lieutenant-governor of Nova Scotia who conquered Maine for the British during the War of 1812. The collection sold for $573,000 at auction in London. more »
- Bob Rae quits as MP in 'very emotional' decision
- Bob Rae, who has represented the Toronto Centre riding for the Liberals since 2008, is stepping down as a Member of Parliament to devote more time to his work as a negotiator for First Nations in Northern Ontario. more »
Must Watch
Latest Arts & Entertainment News Headlines
- Monsters University's Billy Crystal, Dave Foley
- Pixar returns to the story of animated duo Mike and Sulley in this summer's Monsters University, with Billy Crystal and Dave Foley among the notable cast of actors lending their voices to the kids' film. more »
- Guillermo del Toro calls Pacific Rim a family movie
- Director Guillermo del Toro' monsters vs. machines movie Pacific Rim is a summer spectacle that sets out to be different from other movies of its kind. more »
- Laval's corrupt image scares off choral festival sponsors
- The founder and driving force behind Laval, Que.'s annual international choral festival says allegations of corruption at Laval city hall have driven away some of the festival's sponsors. more »
- Dolce and Gabbana convicted of tax evasion
- A Milan court has convicted fashion designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana of tax evasion, finding the pair guilty of failing to declare €1 billion ($1.37 billion Cdn) in income to authorities. more »
Q Blog
Guillermo Del Toro's Monsters Jun. 19, 2013 1:47 PM The award winning director stops by Studio Q to chat about his upcoming blockbuster Pacific Rim.
CBC Books
This summer's must-read mysteries Jun. 19, 2013 6:02 PM If you like a good thriller or whodunit to read while basking in the sun, then this roundup of books is for you!
- Bob Rae quits as MP in 'very emotional' decision
- Wearing a mask at a riot is now a crime
- 2 men jailed in Dominican wedding fight back in Canada
- B.C. teacher duct-taped students' mouths
- Sopranos star James Gandolfini dies in Italy
- Obesity now recognized as a disease
- Dozens of children seized from Manitoba Mennonite community
- Half of First Nations children live in poverty
- Huge ancient city at Angkor Wat revealed by lasers
