MIPTV Unveils 2022 MIPDrama Lineup

RX France has confirmed the lineup for this year’s MIPDrama, which will offer international buyers a first-look at ten series in production around the world.

There will be 15-minute exclusive previews of the ten featured upcoming series, which were selected for their writing and production values, originality and global appeal. After the screenings, participating buyers will be invited to vote for their “Coup de Coeur” at a networking cocktail event at which the winner will be revealed.

The ten titles include the young adult series All That Is Left (Sweden), produced by and for SVT, with SVT Sales distributing. From Italy, there is Bangla—The Series, a comedy-drama for Rai produced and distributed by Fandango. The U.S.-Canada co-production Billy the Kid is produced by De Line Pictures, Amblin Television, One Big Picture/EPIX Studios and MGM International Television Productions, in association with NENT Group’s Viaplay for EPIX (U.S.), Viaplay (Nordics), STAN (Australia) and MBC (Middle East). MGM is distributing the series.

Distributed by ZDF Enterprises, the German series Dear Vivi was made by Seven Dogs Filmproduktion for ZDF. The Danish crime drama Elvira, distributed by Studiocanal, is produced by SAM Productions for Viaplay. Evilside, a crime series from Finland distributed by Dutch Features and Dutch Prime, is produced by Whatevergroup and Handmade Films in Norwegian Woods for Elisa Viihde. The German period drama House of Promises is made by X-Filme Creative Pool for RTL+ and Vox. Beta Film is distributing.

Summer of Sorrow from Finland is a crime series made by Rabbit Films for Elisa Viidhe and distributed by Keshet International. Another Finnish series, the political drama The Invincibles is made by Moskito Television for Elisa Viihde Viaplay and distributed by Fremantle International. Rounding out the selection, The Net (Germany, Austria, Italy) is a joint venture between Red Bull Media House and Beta Film, with local producers MR-Film, Sommerhaus Serien and Cross Productions. Set to broadcast on ARD and Servus TV, it’s distributed by Beta Film.

The selection was made from nearly 50 submissions with the support of the MIPDrama Buyers Advisory Board, which features: Ignacio Barrera, senior VP of sales and business development at Telemundo Global Studios (U.S.); Geraldine Easter, director of programming and acquisitions at Nine Network (Australia); Aline Marrache-Tesseraud, senior VP of development and original scripted content at Universal Music Media & Content (France); Anette Rømer, format consultant for STV Production (Denmark); Sarah Wright, director of Sky cinema and acquisitions at Sky (U.K.); and Viktoria Wasilewski, head of content for Amazon Italia Services (Italy).

The seventh edition of MIPDrama is open to all registered buyers, returning to the Debussy Theater on April 3. Distributors, studios, buyers, platforms and producers spanning more than 50 countries have already confirmed their presence in Cannes for the 59th annual MIPTV, including more than 120 companies that are set to exhibit within the Palais des Festivals.

Lucy Smith, RX France’s entertainment division director and director of MIPTV, said: “It’s great to be back in the Debussy Theatre with this unique showcase. A huge thanks to the record-breaking number of companies that submitted their work and to the time dedicated by our wonderful Advisory Board who had the hard job of selecting just ten to feature. We couldn’t have a more fitting and celebratory start to the spring market!”

STV’s Rømer said: “It is a huge pleasure to take part in the curation of the MIPDrama selection 2022. The entries have truly impressed: volume, quality and global reach are unparalleled; the opportunities for writers, producers, directors, and talent are historic and the audience continues to be spoilt for choice. MIPDrama will once again be a unique showcase.”

Sky’s Wright added: “I am heartened to see the sheer range and quality of the international drama projects submitted and shortlisted this year. It is brilliant to see our industry bouncing back to full throttle—small but much-needed hope in such difficult, unsettling times.”