Banff 2019: Why the is sky falling, and wide open for new opportunities

By Bill Roberts

BANFF – New to the Banff World Media Fest this year was The Banff Debate.The inaugural topic was “Media, Creativity & Technology: Thriving Ecosystem or Future Monoculture?” and framing that debate was moderator Jesse Wente, who is director of Canada’s Indigenous Screen Office.Wente noted the conundrum of international and local players all competing for global audiences and asked:What does this all mean for creator opportunities and consumer choice?Will domestic screen cultures get hammered?Are local-only platforms and business models even viable in a globalize industry?Or are we all Chicken Littles here, where instead of a plummeting sky, the digital future truly...