Montreal: Japanese public broadcaster nhk and Discovery Digital Networks in association with the Banff Television Festival are offering a us$15,000 development prize for the best hdtv program proposal pitched to an expert commissioning panel at this year's festival, June 11-16.

The best new media proposal made to the festival's CyberPitch panel will receive a $5,000 development grant from Bell ExpressVu. Submissions for both competitions must be filed on official festival application forms no later than May 25.

This year's Banff Centre New Media Focus program includes the CyberPitch session on June 12 followed by three daily workshops on interactive storytelling, science and culture, and children. The program is presented by Telefilm Canada.

(www.banfftvfestival.com)