Village Gamer

Banff – “Beginning with the comedy troupe ‘Kids in the Hall’ Mark McKinney’s original characters and unconventional sketches have become a part of pop culture,” comments Peter Vamos, Executive Director of BANFF. “Whether as

Mark McKinney

creator, producer or actor in many memorable comedic productions, Mark has made an impressive contribution to the international film and television comedy landscape.”

Mark McKinney was first known for his work on the long-running sketch comedy troupe “The Kids in the Hall”, which ran from 1989 to 1995. Following that series’ success, Mark went on to star in “Saturday Night Live” from 1995 to 1997, and in 1998 wrote for Aaron Sorkin’s “Sports Night.” He later co-created the acclaimed mini-series “Slings and Arrows”, which he wrote and starred in for all three seasons. Mark then went on to both write and act on NBC’s “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.” As well, he directed and appeared on the CBC Radio post-apocalyptic comedy “Steve, The First” and its sequel, “Steve, The Second.”

Mark has also appeared in several films including the Kids in the Hall movie “Brain Candy” and the SNL spin-offs “Superstar,” “The Ladies Man” and “A Night at The Roxbury.” Mark had a leading role in the Spice Girls’ movie, “Spice World,” and also starred opposite Isabella Rossellini in Guy Maddin’s acclaimed tragic comedy “The Saddest Music in the World.”

Currently Mark is the Producer, Senior Story Editor and Showrunner for the Citytv series “Less Than Kind,” which is now in production on its second season. His upcoming project, “Death Comes to Town,” will both star and be written by him and his fellow KITH members.

“I am humbled to find myself in such great company with the previous Sir Peter Ustinov Award recipients – all comedians I have long admired. I am thrilled,” says Mark McKinney.

Mark McKinney joins a long list of prominent comedic actors who have received this prestigious award in the past including Brent Butt, Guy A. Lepage, Barry Humphries (a.k.a. Dame Edna), John Cleese, Bob Newhart, Martin Short, Tracy Ullman, Kelsey Grammer and Rick Mercer.

The 30th Banff World Television Festival takes place June 7-10, 2009 at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, Banff, Canada. International broadcasters, producers, writers, directors, distributors and industry executives from over 25 countries will be attending. A core feature of the festival is the prestigious Banff World Television Awards (“The Rockies”). This year, 130 programs from over 30 countries were chosen as finalists in 23 program categories. Winners in these categories will be announced on Sunday June 7th with the Grand Prizes winners awarded on Monday, June 8th.