Sure, the mountains are beautiful and the festival – which is almost as inspirational as in the old days – attracts deal makers from across the globe. But those plane tickets, delegate badges and double scotches at the Rundle Lounge don’t come cheap, which, as always, made attending this month’s Banff World Television Festival a difficult decision for many. So, while there, we asked:

‘Was Banff worth the trip?’

The trip has been great. The producers doing regional programming – I really think they’re hitting their stride now that a lot of companies have been coming to Banff
for a few years. We’re seeing more sophisticated concepts.
Derek Luis, Commissioning editor, SunTV & Quebecor

What’s missing here is actual writers
and actual craft, not the usual suspects talking to the usual suspects. You’ve got so many people asking ‘What’s the web strategy?’ ‘What’s this? What’s that?’… We all get together at these industry confabs and everyone’s talking regional bonuses and educational elements. Fuck that. I want to watch Trailer Park Boys.
It’s all about the water cooler.
Denis McGrath, Writer, Blood Ties; blogger, Dead Things on Sticks

It’s been great. I had some meetings with foreign broadcasters – now what I need to do is meet some Canadians. People have been really receptive and the sessions have been very interesting.
Leslie Ann Coles, L.A. Coles Fine Art Productions

I would love to come back and take it all in when I don’t have to be 100% focused on a pitch. The entire experience – 99.9% – I’ve been working on it. But I’ve got a few people I’m talking to, and I feel like today’s the day.
Omar Majeed, Pitcher, Taqwacore; second-place winner at the CTV Documart