Event Preview: MIPTV

Reflecting shifts in content-consumption habits worldwide, MIPTV is placing particular emphasis on new media this April. In partnership with GSMA, MIPTV is introducing Connected Creativity, a new global forum “bringing together technology, mobile media and entertainment professionals,” says Laurine Garaude, the director of Reed MIDEM’s television division.

The Connected Creativity Forum, “an exclusive and innovative conference experience” held at the Majestic Hotel from April 5 to 7, will feature keynotes, experiential labs, closed-door executive sessions, and targeted collaborative meetings, Garaude continues, all focused on the new opportunities created by connected devices. “It’s really meant for a lot of exchanges, so people get to know each other, find the right contacts and understand each other better. And, of course, get business going. I’d just like to remind those who are interested in signing up that capacity for this event is limited.”

The lineup includes Hans Vestberg, the president and CEO of Ericsson, who will present the inaugural Connected Creativity keynote, as well as Facebook’s Christian Hernandez Gallardo, FremantleMedia’s Claire Tavernier, BBC’s Luke Bradley-Jones and BitTorrent’s Eric Klinker, among many others.

There will also be an “experience hub,” Garaude notes, “where people can discover new technologies and new content for connected devices.”

Also part of MIPTV’s digital media focus is the Content 360 Creativity Festival, sponsored by FremantleMedia and Yahoo!, and the new competition CC Ventures, where start-ups can pitch their projects to potential investors.

In addition, the International Digital Emmys are returning to MIPTV, with 12 productions from eight countries—including Lebanon, Turkey and Brazil—up for awards in three categories. The event on April 4 will also present the Pioneer Prize to Jon M. Chu for creating The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers.

Another technological development that will be front and center at MIPTV is 3D TV. In partnership with Sony Corporation, the spotlight on 3D aims to help producers "understand the full potential of 3D content and facilitate meetings with buyers," Garaude notes. A key element will be the 3DTV Broadcast Content Experience on the exhibition floor. The spotlight will also include conference sessions on producing 3D content for television. In addition, buyers from 3net, the recently launched network from Sony, Discovery and IMAX, as well as other 3D networks, will be on site to screen content.

Beyond the latest developments in technology for content producers, another main focus at MIPTV is co-productions, via the returning Producers’ Forum on April 4 and 5. There will be an emphasis on fiction co-productions, Garaude explains, over the two days of conferences and networking sessions held around a new lounge area. On April 4, five case studies will spotlight the inside story of co-producing high-end drama, with presentations by BBC Worldwide, Zentropa, Windmill Lane Entertainment, Muse Distribution International and Atlantique Productions. On the same day, two interview sessions will explore global co-production strategies, with a focus on co-financing. Participants include ZDF Enterprises, Starz, CBC, Disney Channel EMEA and Fox Television Studios. Rodolphe Belmer, the COO of Canal+ and a MIPTV keynote speaker, will outline how co-production is key to international fiction for the French pay-TV channel, using as examples the upcoming series XIII and Borgia.

The Irish-Canadian co-pro Camelot will be showcased at the MIPTV World Premiere TV Screenings, followed by a Q&A with the project’s stars, Joseph Fiennes and Eva Green.

On April 5, workshops and networking sessions will focus on co-productions with Asia and Latin America. Rounding out the slate for Producers’ Forum is a keynote by Zodiak Media Group’s CEO, David Frank.

The third major theme at MIPTV is branded entertainment. Taking place April 5 and 6, the Branded Entertainment Summit will feature a keynote by Miles Young, the CEO of Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide, plus the presentation of an award to an international brand for its outstanding contribution to the development and production of brand-related content.

Rounding out the list of highlighted events at MIPTV this year is the Asian Animation Screenings, where companies from Japan, Korea, China, Malaysia and India will showcase their latest offerings to buyers and producers.

“It’s looking like a dynamic MIPTV,” Garaude says. “We’re over our number of buyers from last year. It’s very vibrant.”