Producers’ Forum: Regional Co-Production Workshops

At a time when co-productions are the financing formula of choice for an increasing number of producers and broadcasters, MIPTV will be offering a number of workshops and matchmaking sessions as part of its new two-day Producers’ Forum, which is being organized in association with World Screen, and will be held on Monday, April 12 and Tuesday, April 13.

The aim of these co-production workshops and matchmaking sessions is to put participants in touch with key players in the extremely important markets of Brazil, Canada, China, Japan and Malaysia.

The first country that will be examined is Brazil, in a session entitled Going Global: Brazil’s Producers Seek Out International Co-Productions, held on Monday, April 12 in the Conference Networking Room, Level 5, Palais des Festivals from 14.30 to 15.30.

This networking event is designed to help producers find and meet new co-production partners in the Brazilian television market, which is undergoing rapid expansion, as the country has become one of the largest production hubs in Latin America. Leading executives from the content industry will unveil the new opportunities in the region. This special session will feature a panel discussion followed by a networking event.

The moderator will be Jacques Bensimon, the president and CEO of Adajove Communications. And the speakers will be: Marco Altberg, the president of ABPI; André Breitman, the CEO of 2D Lab; Diana El-Osta, the manager of development and production at National Geographic Channels; Bilai Joa Silar, the VP and channel director for US Hispanic Networks, Discovery Kids; Paulo Markun, the president of TV Cultura; and Josh Selig, the president of Little Airplane Productions.

On Tuesday, April 13, during the Connect with Canada session held at the Canada Pavilion, on level 01 of the Palais des Festivals at booths 00.01 and 02.10, from 9.00 to 11.00, Canadian producers and distributors will be available to discuss co-production, co-venture or acquisition opportunities. This session provides participants with a unique opportunity to discover the diversity and high quality of Canadian content.

China is a huge territory and the Together with China session, held on Tuesday, April 13, in the Conference Networking Room on Level 5, Palais des Festivals, from 12.00 to 13.00, will offer valuable information on the Chinese market, which is expanding its connections worldwide. Participants will find out how to work with China and build long-lasting partnerships with a selection of Chinese producers seeking new partners from the West. The workshop will feature members of BBPA (Capital Radio & TV Program Producers Association), and is designed to help producers find new co-production partners in China.

This special session will feature a panel discussion followed by a networking event to meet key Chinese executives. The moderator will be Kristian Kender, the research director of China Media Monitor Intelligence. The speakers will be: Sean Chu, the head of animation at Crystal Film & Media; Xiaohui He, the director of the overseas department at Shanghai New Culture Media Investment Group; Derek Huang, the senior manager of international affairs at Beijing Ciwen Film Distribution; Yan Miao, the VP of the Beijing Asian Union Culture and Media Investment; and Michael Mu, the deputy general manager at the Beijing Zhongbei TV Art Center.

Japan will also be a focus of attention on Tuesday, with the session Japan Boosts Co-production Business in Auditorium K, Level 4, Palais des Festivals from 13.00 to 14.00. The co-production activity in Japan is very rich and compelling for the international market. This special session will feature a panel discussion that will provide valuable information on working with Japan, followed by a networking event to meet key Japanese executives.

The moderator will be Sayumi Horie, the senior producer for international co-production at NHK. Speakers will be Kenji Ebato, the chief manager at Toei Animation; Hedwig Schreck, the format sales executive at TV Asahi; and Akemi Takahashi, the deputy director of content business development at Fuji TV.

A look at the diverse Malaysian market will round out this series of co-production workshops. The Malaysian Co-Production Experience held in the Conference Networking Room, Level 5, Palais des Festivals, from 14.00 to 15.00 on Tuesday, April 13, examines how Malaysia is at the crossroads of becoming a major market for content production. This special workshop will highlight media associations MDEC and Finas to survey the market and offer guidance on partnering facilities for co-production in animation, drama and film. This special session will feature a panel discussion followed by a networking event to meet the major players from Malaysia.

The moderator will be Mansha Daswani, the executive editor of World Screen. Speakers will include Edmund Chan, the managing director of Animasia Studio; Huoi Seong Low, the managing director of Vision New Media; Keng Hwa Low, the CEO of Backbone Entertainment; Andrew Ooi, the managing director of Inspidea; and Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib, an executive producer at the Multimedia Development Corporation.

It is necessary to register to participate in these sessions. Registration forms can be found here.