New Record for French Audiovisual Export

The export of French audiovisual programs—sales, presales and investment in co-production—garnered a total of €375.9 million ($373 million) in 2021, setting a new all-time record.

The 2021 total is up 6 percent on 2020, which had been a record year.

Foreign presales are up 30.5 percent, and, for the first time, have gone over the €100 million mark, at €101.5 million ($100 million). Foreign contribution to co-production is up 10.2 percent for a total of €88.4 million ($87 million), the highest since 2003.

Presales have risen notably for drama programs, reaching €45.5 million ($45 million), 2.4 times that of 2020. Animation remains the leading genre for presales at €47 million ($46 million), though the category did slip 7.2 percent year on year. Presales for documentaries are up 12 percent to €8.8 million ($8.7 million).

Sales of French audiovisual programs were at €186.1 million ($184 million) in 2021, down 5.5 percent. In the drama genre, sales are up 21.8 percent to €57.3 million ($56.7 million), the second highest level ever, representing 30.8 percent of all sales. Animation sales have fallen 18.5 percent to €60.8 million ($60.2 million), though it is indicated that this is a short-term trend driven by the cyclical nature of animation. Animation remains the genre with the highest exports with a market share of 32.7 percent. Sales of documentary programs are down 20.1 percent to €36.8 million ($36.4 million), hit hard by delivery delays due to the pandemic with shoots being postponed and bottlenecks in postproduction. Docs still hold a 19.8 percent market share.

Western Europe is still the biggest purchasing region for these programs with sales of €80.6 million ($79.8 million), down 7.4 percent, and representing 43.3 percent of global earnings, the lowest share to date). This reflects the trend of diversifying export territories. North America is in second place with sales of €23.3 million ($23 million), down 7.8 percent and representing a 12.5 percent market share. Asia/Oceania is at €14.7 million ($14.5 million), down 10.9 percent and with a 7.9 percent market share. Sales to Central and Eastern Europe remain stable at €11.8 million ($11.7 million), a 6.4 percent market share.

Sales of worldwide rights are at €41.1 million ($40.7 million), 22.1 percent of total exports.

Revenue from French programming on platforms in foreign territories represented 33.5 percent of export revenue in 2021. The VOD market is, however, still in transition, with signs of rationalization in terms of buying on the part of global VOD platforms. New opportunities for the circulation of French works are emerging with the development of AVOD platforms, or FAST networks.

The CNC (National Centre for Cinema and the Moving Image) and Unifrance revealed the figures during the 28th edition of the Unifrance Rendez-Vous in Biarritz.