Racquel Mesina

VP, International Sales & Markets, Cinemavault

What are some of your top properties for MIPTV?
We’ll be highlighting a wide selection of great titles at this year’s MIPTV, ranging from high-octane action films to artistic animations to family-friendly comedies.
Clash is one of our most intriguing selections. A professional hit woman who must complete one final assignment before she can leave the world of contract killing behind, finds her mission is jeopardized by her relationship with another assassin.
Finding Lenny is a South African soccer comedy that is just in time for World Cup fever. It follows a team of underdogs led by their reluctant coach Lenny (Barry Hilton) as they take on a corporation in a match to decide the fate of a tribal land.
Premiering during Screamfest, Reykjavik Whale Watching Massacre combines the boundary-pushing horror of Texas Chainsaw Massacre with the humor of Evil Dead in a gory tale set on an Icelandic whaling ship. It will turn the ice floes red.
My Dog Tulip is an artfully unique animated story about a man and his dog. Based on English novelist J.R. Ackerley’s best-seller, the film stars the voices of Christopher Plummer, Isabella Rossellini, and Lynn Redgrave.
Lymelife is a critically acclaimed coming of age film executive produced by Martin Scorsese and was an Official Selection at Sundance, and Winner of the Critics Award at Toronto.

Why will these programs appeal to buyers?
The availability of such a broad range of choices allows programmers and distributors to browse one catalogue and find a special title that perfectly highlights a featured event, or to assemble a large collection of titles, utilizing Cinemavault as an ongoing product supplier.
Variety is well represented in Cinemavault’s entire catalogue just as it is in our highlighted films for MIPTV. A number of our foreign-language films are also available with English language tracks. Clashis a commercial, theatrical-level action film with proven success at the box office–beating out Avatar during its domestic release. The catalogue also features familiar faces from Hollywood, with both established box office stars, as well as up and coming stars, in independent films such as Lymelife – Winner of the Critics Award at Toronto and featuring an ensemble cast: Alec Baldwin (30 Rock), Cynthia Nixon (Sex & the City), Timothy Hutton (Ordinary People), Jill Hennessy (Crossing Jordan), Rory Culkin (Signs), Kieran Culkin (Igby Goes Down), and Emma Roberts (Valentine’s Day, Nancy Drew).
Our selection of titles continues to grow and stays up to date with new product for 2010 like Finding Lenny, which capitalizes on the excitement over the World Cup in South Africa this June. Titles like Reykjavik Whale Watching Massacre appeal to more mature viewers that have a passion for blood and gore –they build to a heart-racing pace that will keep audiences on the edge of their seat.
My Dog Tulip’s story is as touching as its animation style is whimsical. The film has garnered invitations to festival such as Annecy, Toronto, Pusan, and Hong Kong. Its distinctive artistry and storytelling make it a film geared towards adults with an appreciation for humor, dogs, and the depth of the relationship between owner and pet.

What are your goals and expectations for MIPTV?
During each and every market Cinemavault reaches out to its existing broadcasters and distributors in order to close on pending business and present our latest acquisitions. We are always looking to meet newcomers to the market who are seeking content for developing channels and distribution outlets. As always our goal is to aid our clients in finding product for upcoming year.