BANFF — The NextMedia conference ended on a high note Sunday with word that Ottawa has renewed its commitment to the Canada New Media Fund, putting in another $29 million over the next two years.

Minister of Heritage Bev Oda announced the renewal during a speech that marked the close of the two-day digital media meet-up and the start of its larger sister, the Banff World Television Festival.

Oda spoke of the need to keep up with the rapid technological changes in the industry. ‘Everyone agrees broadcasting is in a period of transition,’ she said, echoing sentiments uttered by TVmakers and digerati during NextMedia.

The renewal is ‘a wonderful stimulant to the industry,’ said Wayne Clarkson, exec director of Telefilm Canada, which runs the fund, adding it will ‘keep Canadian companies competitive at home and around the world.’

Clarkson said new guidelines for the CNMF should be released on June 15. The fund supports market research, prototyping and development of interactive products.

Oda was followed on stage by BBC director general Mark Thompson, who accepted the BWTVF’s outstanding achievement award on behalf of the British network.

Thompson, again in the spirit of many conversations heard during NextMedia, nodded to the ‘fantastic opportunities’ in broadcasting, but went on to warn that ‘some of the things we stand for — objectivity, quality — are under threat.’

Thompson called on his colleagues to protect public broadcasting, in particular, against lack of funding and a lack of political will.

‘It’s not something we can rely on, but something we have to fight for,’ he told the crowd.

Also on Sunday, festival organizers presented $10,000 in development funding to Vancouver’s Miz Kitty Productions for its sketch comedy project FemTV, which won the fest’s pitch session.

‘The pitchin’ was bitchin’ because we’re itchin’ for some richin’,’ said Miz Kitty principal Catherine Purdue upon accepting the prize.