From a media release:

The Banff World Media Festival (BANFF) proudly announces Korea as the first-ever Country of Honour at the 2025 festival, marking a historic milestone in the event’s esteemed history. This distinguished recognition highlights Korea’s global influence on the entertainment industry and its trailblazing producers, media companies, and content creators. The 46th annual event will take place June 8–11, 2025, at the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Banff, Alberta, Canada.

In partnership with the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA), a distinguished delegation of Korea’s top producers, industry leaders, and acclaimed talent will attend the festival to forge international partnerships and strengthen global collaboration. The festival will feature exclusive showcases, networking opportunities, and special programming spotlighting Korea’s excellence in storytelling and content production across television, digital media, and more.

As part of the celebration, K-Content will be a focal point throughout the festival, culminating in a grand tribute at the Rockie Awards on Monday, June 9. This celebration will honor Korea’s groundbreaking creativity and cultural impact on the global media landscape.

“We are thrilled to recognize Korea as our inaugural Country of Honour,” said Jenn Kuzmyk, Executive Director, BANFF. “Korea has emerged as a powerhouse in global entertainment, captivating audiences worldwide with its innovative storytelling and world-class productions. We look forward to welcoming Korean creators to BANFF and fostering new opportunities for international collaboration.”

“Korea’s presence at BANFF underscores the strength and appeal of K-Content on a global scale,” said Yoo-Hyun-seok, Acting President of KOCCA. “We are excited to showcase the depth and diversity of our creative industry while building meaningful partnerships that will shape the future of entertainment.”

BANFF extends its gratitude to Esther Song of Song Group and Banff Television Festival Foundation Board member Jeniffer Kim for their pivotal role in making this initiative a reality.

Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Canadian Rockies, the Banff World Media Festival is a premier destination for media industry professionals, offering over 1,200 networking sessions, unparalleled access to deal-making, and industry insights as well as 25,000+ meetings, connecting global media professionals to foster partnerships and spark new collaborations. This year’s festival promises to be a landmark gathering, featuring forward-thinking panels and high-profile keynotes with Tubi’s CEO Anjali Sud and Sony Pictures Television Chairman Keith Le Goy.

Image courtesy of Fairmont-Banff-Springs.

From a media release:

The Banff World Media Festival (BANFF) is thrilled to announce Keith Le Goy, Chairman of Sony Pictures Television, as a keynote speaker for its 2025 BANFF Summit Series. The 46th annual event will take place June 8–11, 2025, at the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Banff, Alberta, Canada.

The BANFF Summit Series, launched in 2019, has become the festival’s flagship program, spotlighting transformative thinkers and leaders shaping the future of media and entertainment.

“Keith is a force of nature, a clear-headed growth driver, and a veteran of the storytelling game,” said Sean Cohan, Chair of the Board of Directors, BANFF, and President of Bell Media. “Known for a direct, positive approach, Keith’s keynote will offer insights into where our industry is headed and where the opportunities are.”

Adding to its distinguished lineup, Anjali Sud, CEO of Tubi, has also confirmed participation in the 2025 event. Previous Summit Series speakers have included industry luminaries such as Rob Wade, Channing Dungey, Bela Bajaria, George Cheeks, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Paula Kerger, Pearlena Igbokwe, Ted Sarandos and Maverick Carter.

BANFF is renowned for its vibrant mix of thought leadership, networking, and deal-making opportunities that take attendees behind the scenes of the industry’s most talked-about appointments, projects and pivots as well as over 1,200 networking sessions and 25,000+ meetings, connecting global media professionals to foster partnerships and spark new collaborations.

A key highlight of the festival is the highly anticipated Rockie Awards International Program Competition, one of the world’s most prestigious screen industry competitions. With participation from more than 45 countries annually including an international jury of 150 industry professionals, the Rockie Awards celebrate excellence across a diverse range of content. Additionally, the industry-favourite Rockies Gala will return to honor the best content and most influential entertainment industry executives, talent and creators in the world.

About Keith Le Goy
Keith Le Goy is Chairman of Sony Pictures Television (SPT), responsible for all television production operations, including SPT’s legendary game shows, as well as all television and home entertainment distribution for Sony Pictures’ film and television content, and the studio’s cable networks, such as GSN (Game Show Network), across the US, Latin America and Europe.

Sony Pictures Television (SPT) is one of the television industry’s leading content providers, producing, distributing and carrying programming worldwide in every genre and for every platform. Sony Pictures Television (SPT) produces a wide array of premium programming worldwide, including the longtime #1 and #2-rated game shows, Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy!, as well as The Boys, Cobra Kai, The Last of Us, S.W.A.T., Outlander, For All Mankind, Shark Tank, 90-Day Fiancé, Twisted Metal, The Night Agent, Dark Matter, and many more.

Previously, Le Goy served as Chairman of Worldwide Distribution & Networks for Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE). In this role, he led the studio’s combined television and home entertainment distribution and marketing businesses. Le Goy also oversaw SPE’s Crunchyroll anime business, as well as its successful cable networks in Latin America and Europe. Prior to that, he held the role of President of Distribution for Sony Pictures Television (SPT) before expanding his role to include oversight of home entertainment and networks. Le Goy was President of International Distribution from 2008 and was SPT’s Executive Vice President of Distribution, since 2006. He was previously based at SPT’s Latin America headquarters in Miami, where he served as Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Latin America, for three years. He joined SPT in 1999 as Senior Vice President, European Distribution, based at SPT’s European headquarters in London.

Le Goy joined SPT from The Walt Disney Company, where he was Vice President, Sales, Europe, with oversight for all of Disney’s European television distribution business. Prior to the Walt Disney Company, Le Goy worked at The National Magazine Company, the U.K. subsidiary of the Hearst Corporation, where he served as Director of International Sales.

Le Goy started his professional career in advertising sales, working for media and advertising related publications in London. He was later promoted and became the publisher of Media Week magazine. He also launched and served as the publisher of Media & Marketing Europe, a title dedicated to covering pan European advertising and marketing trends.

He attended the European School in Brussels then went on to Cambridge University in England.