MIPTV Adds Buyer Exchange, Ups Development Focus

MIPTV is now two markets in one, Laurine Garaude, director of the television division at Reed MIDEM, tells World Screen, with distribution and development as the two main pillars of the show.

“MIPTV is intent on accompanying the industry as the international business of TV is being reinvented,” Garaude says. “There is the growing importance of accessing new projects, talent and partners at a very early stage. That is the reason that we’ve expanded the role of content development at MIPTV.”

Distribution remains core to the event, Garaude stresses, and in line with that, Reed MIDEM is introducing the MIP Buyers Exchange, “a new program that is curated, providing exhibitors with supplementary pre-scheduled one-on-one meetings. It will be through an online platform. It’s being met with great enthusiasm by exhibitors. We have over 150 exhibitors signed up to-date.”

The MIPDrama Buyers Summit is also returning for a new edition on the Sunday before MIPTV’s official start. Some 450 leading drama buyers and commissioners are expected to participate for a day-long screening of works in progress. “We are increasing the number of showcases—last year it was six, this year we will have ten.” The summit will also showcase presentations on drama trends as buyers and commissioners navigate an increasingly crowded scripted landscape.

In Development, a joint initiative with CANNESERIES for drama is also back with an expanded version. In addition, MIPTV will this year include the new initiative In Development KIDS—you can find out more here from our interview with Lucy Smith—while MIPDoc will feature an In Development strand for the factual business. In Development Drama, meanwhile, has been moved from the Gare Maritime into the Palais and expanded from two days to four, running throughout MIPTV, “with more pitches, more networking events and a great program in terms of creative masterclasses and showcases. We received close to 400 projects for the pitches this year.”

Among the showrunners participating in In Development Drama this year is Ilene Chaiken. There will also be creative masterclasses with Endemol Shine Group’s Lars Blomgren and acclaimed comedy producer Ash Atalla.

“The whole In Development area is being designed to allow people to meet through pre-arranged matchmaking as well as networking in an area that is conducive to that,” Garaude explains.

Throughout MIPTV, MIPFormats and MIPDoc there will be a focus on French creativity as part of the Country of Honour strand. “We’re working very closely with the French industry here, in partnership with TVFI and other producer associations. We’ll have top keynotes from France, and some of the hottest new talent.”