nextMEDIA Invites the World’s Top Digital Practioners to Banff this June

nextMEDIA – The International Interactive Media Festival is set to return with invigorated energy June 10, 11 & 12, 2005, in the breathtaking Rocky Mountain setting of The Banff Centre located in Banff, Alberta, Canada.

nextMEDIA 2005 is moving forward recognizing that new media is now a fundamental component of daily life, integral to entertainment, government, academia and business. To reflect this, the core agenda will focus on the intersection of three key verticals: Research, Business, and Content/Production.

Achilles Media will produce the festival with the support of the international players in the interactive media industry. Starting on June 10th, nextMEDIA will run in advance of the Banff World Television Festival scheduled for June 12 – 15, 2005.

“The buzz about nextMEDIA returning is contagious,” said Robert Montgomery, CEO of Achilles Media. “With the new location and date in Banff, it’s a must-attend. The connection with the television festival is a natural but next goes beyond convergence. It’s going to be creative and provocative, but at the same time practical.” Montgomery has appointed interactive producer, Julia Walden, as Director of nextMEDIA.

“When Robert spoke of his vision of a grassroots event focusing on what’s really important, I knew I wanted to sign up,” said Julia. “We’re fortunate to have input from a strong and engaged Advisory Board who are in touch with what’s going on right now. At the same time, there’s room to experiment which makes the hard work more fun.”

nextMEDIA is an intimate, three-day event that connects the country's brightest and most promising leaders in media with each other. It is a unique opportunity for industry leaders to take part in panels, sessions and screenings focusing on the business and creative processes – the drivers behind content, government, learning and industry.

The impetus for nextMEDIA is to provide an annual creative retreat to help foster an innovative, vibrant and productive industry; to showcase the work of producers and professionals; and to deliver a unique and inspirational experience.

Starting with the opening event “Fast Talk/Slow Food,” the festival will integrate a parallel theme based on the Slow Food movement – one that promotes diversity and excellence in a return to the fundamentals of local and seasonal produce.