ZDF Studios-Sponsored MIPFormats Pitch Opens Call for Entries

The 2024 MIPFormats Pitch, being sponsored for the first time by ZDF Studios, has opened its call for entries.

A short list of five finalists will pitch their concept to a jury of international format experts on April 7 as part of the MIPTV pre-opening weekend. The winner will receive a financial contribution of €2,000 ($2,000) for development, complementary accreditation to a future MIP market and access to coaching and mentoring expertise from within the ZDF Studios group for a year.

The jury will be looking for universally appealing international formats. The deadline for submissions is February 26. Finalists will be announced in the run up to the market.

Last year’s competition attracted a record 89 submissions from over 25 countries. The Turkish talent show format The Show Must Go On, created by FormatWorkshop, won.

“MIPFormats is where formats can go global,” said Lucy Smith, director of the entertainment division at RX France and director of MIPTV. “The MIPFormats Pitch offers producers and creators a prestigious platform for ideas, invaluable exposure to global decision-makers, and now, through ZDF Studios, access to international expertise that can help get their concepts on the map.”

Ralf Rückauer, VP Unscripted at ZDF Studios, added, “All popular shows that are known to a large, global audience are based on a simple but clever idea—but they are not easy to find. With RX France, we are looking forward to finding that next big hit. It will be exciting to discover fresh ideas and to honour the winner in Cannes. In addition to the prize money, we wanted to create additional value for the winners through coaching and mentoring from format specialists in the ZDF Studios group.”