Plans Unveiled for DISCOPRO

LOS ANGELES/PARIS, May 2:
In the run-up to DISCOP EAST, the second edition of the DISCOPRO networking and
training program is set to take place in Budapest on June 17.

This year’s DISCOPRO will
focus on low-cost co-production opportunities that are available as a result of
the proliferation of new thematic channels throughout Central and Eastern
Europe as well as in part from regulatory
frameworks that favor locally produced programming.

The keynote will be
presented by Tobias Gerlach, a member of the board of Bavaria Film, who will
discuss strategic alliances as a key to joint-production activities in Europe.
Also taking part in the program will be representatives from HBO Central Europe,
ChelloZone, CME, Mediametrie, the E.U.-funded Programme Media, BBC Worldwide,
Zee TV, ITI, A.C.T.E., Ogilvy, Dori Media and Distraction, among others.

DISCOPRO is open
exclusively to DISCOP EAST 08 participants who are already registered for the
16th-annual event, which takes place June 18 to 20 in Budapest.

Patrick Jucaud, the general manager of DISCOP, commented: “More than 200
thematic networks produced exclusively for specific geographical markets, in
addition to global television brands customized for local audiences, have been
launched across the CEE region in the last 12 months. With even more channels
expected to become available very soon, there is a huge need for locally made
content produced by entrepreneurial, creative and low-cost production entities.
DISCOPRO 08 aims to help these creators achieve the best possible results.”

—By Kristin
Brzoznowski