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Paris' Hotel Lutetia Will Welcome
Hundreds to SCIENCE 2003 in December

(Paris, France, March 18, 2003) SCIENCE 2003, the 11th annual forum of the World Congress of Science Producers, will take place at the Hotel Lutetia, in the heart of the St-Germain-des-Prés district in Paris, France, December 3 to 6. In speaking today at a special reception in the French capital, Pat Ferns, president and CEO of the Banff Television Foundation, along with Congress host broadcaster France Télévisions, officially announced the upcoming event that will attract hundreds of producers, creators, broadcasters, academics and journalists specializing in science programming from around the world.

ìFrance is a world leader in quality science television and we are delighted the Steering Committee selected Paris for SCIENCE 2003. The support from our French colleagues, both at France 5 and in the independent community has been fantastic,î said Pat Ferns, president and CEO of the Banff Television Foundation. ìThe Science Congress is a forum rich in content and it comes as no surprise to learn from some delegates that it is now at the top of their list of must-attend events.î

Ann Julienne, head of acquisitions at France 5, commented, ìFrance Télévisions Groupe is delighted to be the host broadcaster of the Science Congress this year. The French television community, both broadcasters and producers, are very hopeful that the 2003 Congress will be successful and, especially, stimulating. We will also do everything to make the City of Lights live up to participantsí expectations.î

SCIENCE 2003 will feature an array of plenary sessions, master classes, screening opportunities, a keynote address, lunches with commissioning editors, site visits and evening social events. This annual forum provides an opportunity for science programmers to share ideas, insights and issues of concern.

Last yearís Science Congress took place in Berlin, Germany where 366 delegates took part in the eventís 10th anniversary celebrations. Presenting the keynote address was distinguished German scientist Dr. Hubert Markl. Host broadcaster was ARD German TV  Das Erste.

The World Congress of Science Producers is a member driven organization dedicated to celebrating the best in science production. It is administered by a Board of Directors and a Steering Committee that deals primarily with editorial matters (see attached list). The community is an inclusive one embracing content creators, the scientific and research industry, academics and journalists all with an interest in science on television and in interactive media. SCIENCE 2003 co-chairs are Ann Julienne, head of acquisitions and international co-productions at France 5 (also the host for the event) and Uwe Kersken, managing director, Gruppe 5 Film Production GmbH. The Congress is managed by the Banff Television Foundation, an event management organization for some of the worldís leading television and new media industry conferences. Executive producer for SCIENCE 2003 is Jerry Ezekiel, senior vice president of the Banff Television Foundation. Coordinating producer of the conference program is Alison Leigh, independent producer, Leigh Brown Productions, Australia. For information on the World Congress of Science Producers, go to www.science2003.com.

Steering Committee World Congress of Science Producers

  • Simon Andreae, Head of Science, Education & Religion, Specialist Factual, Channel 4 Television, UK
  • Martin Durkin, Head of Programmes, WAG TV, UK
  • Pat Ferns (Non-voting), President & CEO, Banff Television Foundation, Canada
  • Beth Hoppe, Director of Science Programs, Thirteen/WNET, USA
  • Ann Julienne (Host Broadcaster and Co-chair), Head of Acquisitions & International Co-productions, France 5
  • Uwe Kersken (Co-chair), Managing Director, Gruppe 5 Film Production GmbH, Germany
  • Daryl Karp (Congress Director), Head TV Factual, Australian Broadcasting Corporation
  • Emmanuel Laurent, Independent Producer, Films à Trois;
    Association Science & Television (AST), France
  • Alison Leigh (Non-voting), Independent Producer, Leigh Brown Productions, Australia
  • Paul Lewis (Congress Director), President and General Manager, Discovery Channel Canada
  • Wally Longul (Congress Director), Director, Business Development & International Relations, TVOntario, Canada
  • Paula Mason (Non-voting), Director of Distribution & Acquisitions, Oregon Public Broadcasting, USA
  • Stéphane Millière, President, Gédéon Programmes, France
  • Judy Plavnick, Executive Producer, Discovery Channel, USA

(As of May 8, 2003)

For More Information:

Heidi Bobiak
Communications Manager
Banff Television Foundation

Sarah Pearson
Communications Assistant
Banff Television Foundation

 

Banff Media Enterprises Front Page - World Congress of Science Producers