Suro Senen
The Canadian Rockies served as a spectacular backdrop this week for one of the most prestigious events in the international television industry: the Banff World Media Festival’s Rockie Awards. The gala, held at the historic Banff Springs Hotel, brought together an eclectic mix of showrunners, actors, and industry titans to celebrate the year’s most compelling content. From groundbreaking international dramas to the recognition of lifelong contributions to the arts, the ceremony reinforced the festival’s status as a vital bridge between North American storytelling and the global stage.
A Night of Sweeping Wins: The "Empathie" Triumph
The evening’s most significant accolade, the Grand Jury Prize, was awarded to the French-language series Empathie. The show, created by and starring screenwriter Lorence Longpré, proved to be an unstoppable force throughout the night. Produced by Trio Orange, Empathie explores the high-stakes environment of a Montreal hospital through the eyes of a criminologist-turned-psychiatrist, whose interactions with an array of complex patients form the show’s narrative core.
Beyond the Grand Jury Prize, the series secured a hat-trick of additional honors, including Best Non-English Language Drama, the Prix Francophone, and the Prize for Excellence in Canadian Content. In a pre-taped acceptance message, a visibly moved Longpré expressed her gratitude, noting, "I would like to thank the whole team for this Rockie Award; this recognition is a testament to the power of stories that transcend language barriers."
The English-Language Landscape
While international and French-language content saw significant success, the competition for English-language categories was fierce, pitting major U.S. studios against high-caliber Canadian and British productions.
In the highly competitive Best English-Language Drama category, HBO’s The Pitt emerged victorious. The series managed to edge out a formidable field of contenders, including the Canadian entries Heated Rivalry and Plan B, the critically acclaimed U.S. drama The Handmaid’s Tale, and the gripping British series Reckless. R. Scott Gemmill, the creator of The Pitt and a Canadian-born writer, accepted the award with a sentimental nod to his roots. "As a Canadian boy, it’s so good to be home, I have to say," Gemmill remarked to the gala audience, highlighting the festival’s unique ability to draw talent back to the Great White North.
Other major category winners included:
- Best English-Language Comedy: HBO’s The Chair Company.
- Best Drama Performance: Malin Akerman for her portrayal of Margo Banks in Netflix’s The Hunting Wives. Akerman, taking the stage at the Banff Springs conference center, enthusiastically described her character as "one spicy gal," adding, "This role is one of my favorite roles I’ve ever got to play."
- Best Animated Series: Fox’s perennial powerhouse, The Simpsons.
- Best Comedy Performance: Aimee Lou Wood, for her standout work in the British series Film Club.
- Best Comedy and Variety Series: BBC’s The Graham Norton Show.
- Best Competition and Game Show Series: Destination X, hosted by Jeffrey Dean Morgan.
Jesse Armstrong’s Directorial Debut
One of the most anticipated moments of the evening was the presentation of the Best Feature Film prize, handed out by The Hollywood Reporter’s executive VP and publisher Lori O’Connor and senior entertainment editor Mikey O’Connell. The honor went to Mountainhead, the directorial debut of Jesse Armstrong, the visionary creator behind the global phenomenon Succession.
Armstrong’s speech provided a moment of reflection on the current state of the global media landscape. "It’s really very touching to see British TV and American TV—I come from the U.K.—but we can sometimes be very inward-looking," Armstrong said. "To be reminded of some of the amazing work that’s made all around the world and to be considered amongst it and take home an award, I feel really very honored to be among everyone."
Honoring Legacies and Creative Voices
The Rockie Awards are not merely about the content of the past year; they serve as a platform to honor those who have shaped the industry. This year, the festival bestowed special awards upon several industry icons.
Tantoo Cardinal: A Lifetime of Truth
Canadian indigenous actor Tantoo Cardinal, whose storied career includes roles in Killers of the Flower Moon and Dances with Wolves, received the Career Achievement Award. Her acceptance speech was a poignant reflection on both her personal history and the evolution of Indigenous representation in media.
"First time I came here, I hitchhiked here, and they didn’t kick me out," Cardinal recounted, drawing laughter from the crowd before turning to a more somber reflection on her upbringing. She spoke candidly about a Canada that historically oppressed its Indigenous peoples, noting that in the past, their voices were suppressed. However, the rise of Indigenous storytelling has fundamentally changed that narrative. "A lot of work has gone into this powerful tapestry of strength and beauty," she noted, celebrating the current generation of Indigenous creators who are finally reclaiming their place in the industry.
Comedy and Distinction
The Sir Peter Ustinov Comedy Award was presented to Community star Ken Jeong. Jeong took a humble approach to his success, attributing his trajectory not to his own efforts, but to the opportunities he was afforded early on. "I don’t stand here because of me. I stand here because of Community, because the people who gave me opportunities when I was just a doctor at Kaiser Permanente in Woodland Hills," he said, paying homage to the creative team behind the Dan Harmon classic.
Meanwhile, Beverly Hills, 90210 alumnus Jason Priestley received the Canadian Award of Distinction. Having transitioned from a child actor on local sets to an international star and, most recently, a lead in the homegrown procedural Private Eyes, Priestley’s speech was a love letter to the Canadian film industry. "I owe my career and much of my life to the Canadian film and television industry. I thank you for this important recognition," he stated.
Finally, comic and Wayward creator Mae Martin received the Creative Voice Award. Martin used the moment to pivot away from self-deprecation, embracing her own ambition. "Now I’m sort of admitting I’m very ambitious, and I really love the process of making things and collaborating with other artists," she told the audience.
Supporting Data and Industry Context
The 2024 festival was characterized by a massive influx of international entries. Leading up to the event, the festival organizers noted that American productions dominated the nomination lists with 55 nods, followed closely by the United Kingdom with 39. Hosted by Allana Harkin, known for her sharp wit on Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, the ceremony moved at a brisk pace, reflecting the energetic nature of the global television market.
The statistics highlight a shifting trend: while U.S. and U.K. productions continue to have a significant footprint, the success of series like Empathie demonstrates that regional, non-English language content is increasingly capable of competing at the highest levels. The Banff World Media Festival continues to act as a vital incubator for this global exchange, proving that high-quality storytelling—whether it originates in a Montreal hospital or a Hollywood studio—remains the industry’s most valuable currency.
Implications for the Future
The 2024 Rockie Awards leave the industry with a clear message: the boundaries between national cinemas are thinning. As platforms like Netflix and HBO continue to distribute content globally, the "local" story is becoming the "global" hit. The success of creators like Lorence Longpré and Jesse Armstrong suggests that audiences are increasingly hungry for authentic, nuanced narratives that challenge traditional genre constraints.
As the industry looks toward the next festival cycle, the emphasis on cross-border collaboration and the elevation of marginalized voices—exemplified by Tantoo Cardinal’s moving address—will likely remain at the forefront. The Banff World Media Festival has once again proven its necessity, not just as an awards body, but as a critical forum where the future of global entertainment is written, debated, and celebrated.
Ammar Sabilarrohman
