MIPTV & Canneseries Plan New Drama Forum

Reed MIDEM and Cannes International Series Festival Canneseries have unveiled details of In Development, the Cannes Drama Creative Forum dedicated to fast-tracking new drama productions at an international level.

The event is organized by Canneseries and MIPTV. The event is to be held on Tuesday, April 10, and Wednesday, April 11, alongside MIPTV and Canneseries. In Development is designed to act as an accelerator for writers and producers to pitch, connect and greenlight projects. The two-day forum, taking place next to the Palais des Festivals in the Gare Maritime, sets out to facilitate access to a full range of international decision-makers and financing partners, including commissioning editors, distributors and talent agencies.

The event includes pitching sessions for projects at two stages of development: “Early-Stage Projects,” from seasoned writers, notably curated through a selection of international writing residences and talent agencies; and “Programmes in Development,” selected through an international call for entries, to be launched in early November. The final selection of projects will be made by a jury of international drama experts from the advisory board.

The advisory board for In Development includes Rola Bauer, the managing director of STUDIOCANAL TV; Ozge Bulut Marasli, CEO of Kanal D and its production companies; Jimmy Desmarais, co-managing director of Atlantique Productions; Ben Donald, executive producer of international drama at BBC Worldwide; Jane Gogan, the head of drama at RTÉ; Serge Hayat, financier at Cinemage & Capucines Investment Funds; Marie Jacobson, executive VP of programming and production for networks at Sony Pictures Television Networks; Claire Lemaréchal, screenwriter (A Very Secret Service, Desperate Parents, Sagan); Katie O’Connell, CEO of Platform One Media; Philipp Steffens, the head of fiction at RTL Television; Christian Wikander, the director of co-production at Pinewood Television; and Anna Winger, creator of Deutschland83/86 and founder of Studio Airlift.

Laurine Garaude, the director of television at Reed MIDEM, said: “In Development heralds a new concept in discovering and harnessing fresh creative talent from around the world. MIPTV and MIPCOM have supported early-stage projects for many years, organizing the MIPTV International Drama Coproduction Summit since 2011. This new event, in association with Canneseries, confirms our commitment to fast-tracking new drama productions in the international arena.”

Benoit Louvet, Canneseries’ managing director, added: “The partnership between Canneseries and MIPTV to launch In Development reflects our joint desire to provide content creators with the opportunities and networks they require to bring their programs to all screens and platforms. In Development will bring together the individuals and companies capable of turning an idea into a programming reality. Canneseries provides a unique showcase to promote and celebrate the best in international series. MIPTV provides delegates with a unique opportunity to conduct business. Now In Development will provide a forum for nurturing production partnerships.”