NHK changes Banff prize

The Banff World Television Festival and its partners at NHK have narrowed the criteria and lowered the cash prize for one of the fest’s top awards. The NHK Prize — formerly the NHK President’s Prize — will now go to the best HD international coproduction at the fest, and will come with a cheque for $20,000.

The ‘coproduction’ part is new, and the payout was previously $25,000.

A spokesperson for the fest says the Japanese broadcaster was keen to reposition its prize, which has been handed out at the Banff fest for the last six years. All international HD copros are eligible. The deadline for submissions is Feb. 23.