TVP

November 13, 2009 World Screen
Marcin Oginski
Head of Film Licensing & Program Sales
International Relations & Trade Department
 
 
How has your business been in Asia/what are your top markets in the region?
 
For the last few years, we’ve been observing high growth of licensing programs in the territory of Asia (especially in Japan, China, Taiwan). The Asian market requires great involvement and understanding of all the processes that mainly arises from different cultural insight. Although it is a very sensitive market we are delighted to discover a growing bond of mutual sympathy and comprehension.
 
 
Has that business increased or decreased over the past year?
 
Obviously, there are huge differences between how the markets and deals looked like some years ago, and how it looks like nowadays. Talking about business we cannot avoid the topic of crisis. Budget plans are still important, or even more important than they used to be. At the same time, more flexibility and understanding may be needed while negotiating the deals with trusted partners during tough times. On the other hand, there are more and more channels, both traditional and web-based ones, which means more windows and possibilities for sales. Faster and cheaper Internet also helps, especially in VOD distribution.

 
Have you noticed any buying/programming trends going on in the region?
 
Most of our buyers are looking for high- and medium-budged products, with modern shooting and a clear plot that fits into their market and can be recognized by audience as fresh and valuable. There’s also a huge demand of high-definition (HD) format.  
 
 
What genres sells best for you in Asia?
 
Although buyers from Asia represent a wide range of interests, the most popular TVP production are feature films, animations and documentaries. A huge success of The Magic Tree series and the feature (for children and adolescents) seems to be our main target in children productions of Asian Market. Regarding the youngest audience we’ve been also promoting products Polish Fairy Tales and Fantazy the Bear, which have no violent scenes but didactic character. Moreover, we’ve been observing interests in documentaries, among them: art & music productions, WWII and religious topics. As for features, Asian buyers tend to buy war and love stories.
 
 
What programs have you sold into the region (where and to whom)?
 
Since early ’90s Dekalog by K. Kieślowski remains TVP’S bestseller. It has been already sold to over 70 countries (e.g. Iran, Brazil, Japan, Russia, the U.S., the U.K., France, Turkey, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Germany), There’s also huge interest in first black-and-white Kieślowski classic Staff, Underpass, Short day of work.
Second bestsellers are family productions. For last few years, the unquestionable hit is The Magic Tree series by Andrzej Maleszka that in 2007 received an Emmy Award.
As for war series, most interest goes to The Secret of Cipher Tower and The Days of Honour. And of course there was no bigger hit for all years of Polish cinematography hits than Andrzej Wajda’s Katyń, sold to more than 60 countries all over the world.
Between docs, the biggest attention arises international from co-productions: The Secrets of Vatican, The Seven Gates to Jerusalem, Secret of Nile (mini-series) and Saga of the Ancient Forest (series). All of them are already sold to more than 10 countries all over the world.
 
 
What are the properties you are looking to highlight for ATF?
 
This year we would like to promote our latest hit productions: The Seven Gates to Jerusalem, Secret of Nile (mini-series) and Saga on Ancient Forest (series). Apart from that, there is a long list of titles in HD format.What’s more, we have high hopes for VOD distribution, which grows rapidly together with the growing number of users of digital platforms and digital cable subscribers.
 
 
What is it about these programs that would appeal to the Asian market?
 
As mentioned above, our programs are high- and medium-budged products that also suit the Asian market. We are proud to offer good-quality brand-new films that have already achieved a spectacular success among Polish and international audiences. To sum up, we offer programs of high quality and competitive price. 

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