The call for entries for the 2026 Banff World Media Festival Program Competition is now open.
The Banff World Media Awards is the largest international program competition in the content industry, attracting upwards of one-thousand entries from over 30 countries around the world to its annual program categories. This year's Awards will be announced during the Banff World Media Festival in Banff, Alberta, running June 10-13th, 2026.
New in the Documentary category, Environmental and Wildlife programs have joined forces to explore environmental themes and issues, as well as natural and wildlife phenomena within one category that explores our natural world. New in the Children and Youth category, Animation Programs will take a special focus on kids programming, while adult-targeted, "prime-time" animations will be eligible for applicable categories in entertainment, drama and interactive programming.
"The Banff World Media Awards are now, more than ever, a reflection of the new trends in international programming," said Georges Leclere, Director of the Banff World Media Awards Program Competition. "We are thrilled to reshape our categories this year, to better group the wonderful programs in all segments of the current traditional, cross-platform and digital entertainment genres."
2012 Banff World Media Festival Program Competition Categories:
ENTERTAINMENT
Comedy Programs
Lifestyle & Information Programs
Music and Variety Programs
Reality Programs
DOCUMENTARIES
Arts & Performing Arts Programs
Documentary-style Reality Programs
Environmental and Wildlife Programs
History & Biography Programs
Investigative & Current Affairs Programs
Popular Science & Technology Programs
Social & Humanitarian Documentaries
DRAMA
Continuing Series Programs
Made-for-TV-Movies
Mini-Series
Sitcoms
Soap Operas and Telenovelas
INTERACTIVE
Webseries - Fiction Programs
Webseries - Non-Fiction Programs
Cross-Platform Project - Fiction Programs
Cross-Platform Project - Non-Fiction Programs
Branded Entertainment
CHILDREN AND YOUTH
Animation Programs
Children's Programs - Fiction
Children's Programs - Non-Fiction
Youth Programs - Fiction
Youth Programs - Non-Fiction
The early bird deadline for submissions is February 3, 2026, (final deadline for submissions is February 24, 2026). For details visit www.banffmediafestival.com.