Laurine Garaude Talks MIPCOM Highlights


More than 13,000 media executives are expected to descend onto Cannes from October 7 to 10 for MIPCOM. That number includes more than 4,500 buyers, of which over 800 are sourcing content for digital platforms, Garaude reports. “Also we have many new exhibitors from around the world and are on track for what promises to be a record MIPCOM.”

Over 70 companies are taking a stand for the first time at the event, prompting Reed MIDEM to set up a new space, Croisette Village opposite the Palais. This new location will feature Espacio Argentina, showcasing Argentine content, among other exhibitors.

As the country of honor, Argentina will be a key focus at MIPCOM with a full program of sessions and networking opportunities including Fresh TV from Argentina, co-production with Argentina and the opening party celebrating the content, diversity and passion of Argentina in partnership with the Argentine Film Board (INCAA).

In addition to the highlight on Argentina, sessions are planned on Turkey and Africa as well. Reflecting the ever-increasing international nature of MIPCOM, there’s also a new Nigerian pavilion and a wider representation from China.

The overarching theme at MIPCOM 2013 is the New Golden Age of Television, a subject that is very much a talking point these days. “There’s such extraordinary creativity, and [an increasing] quantity of quality content and talent literally from all around the world,” Garaude observes.

Also part of this theme, which will be explored during several sessions, is the way in which the TV and film industries are coming together. Indeed, two movie heavyweights are speaking at the market for this first time: DreamWorks Animation’s Jeffrey Katzenberg, the MIPCOM 2013 Personality of the Year, and Relativity Media’s Ryan Kavanaugh. Also slated for Media Mastermind keynotes are Bravo and Style Media’s Frances Berwick, Amazon Studios’ Roy Price, Zee’s Punit Goenka, Turner’s Michael Wright, Facebook’s Dan Rose and FremantleMedia’s Cecile Frot-Coutaz.

Another highlight of the schedule is the Acquisition Superpanel on Wednesday afternoon, exploring what key programmers are looking for. Starz’s Carmi Zlotnik, Foxtel’s Ross Crowley, DR’s Piv Bernth and Azteca’s Pedro Lascurain will offer their perspectives on building compelling schedules in a fragmented marketplace before being presented with the World Screen Content Trendsetter Awards in association with MIPCOM.

Content owners will also be using MIPCOM as a platform to host screenings of new product; the Monday night World Premiere Screening will be of Shine’s The Tunnel, the U.K.-French adaptation of Bron for Canal+ and Sky Atlantic HD. Other shows set to be screened for buyers for the first time include Starz’ Black Sails and ITV Studios’ Breathless.

For the second year in a row, MIPCOM will play host to the Women in Global Entertainment Power Lunch, sponsored by Lifetime Networks and this time featuring an opening address by Disney’s Anne Sweeney; and the LatAm Global Dealmakers Lunch, in conjunction with INCAA and Telemundo Internacional.

Garaude also points to the “increased opportunities for networking and matchmaking” at MIPCOM. On tap is an event to bring together film distributors and fiction buyers; plus matchmaking sessions with Argentine producers and Japanese anime makers, among others. “Many people have all their meetings set up with everyone they know and need to know, but a message I would like to give is, leave some time open for making new contacts…. The reach of the show is getting deeper and wider every year.”