Category: Mipcom

MIPCOM: Singapore brings fresh content for global market

MUMBAI: Asia’s film and television industry has seen strong growth, rising prominence, and international recognition for its talent and content in the past year. Singapore’s newly-formed Info-communications Media Development Authority (IMDA) was established to keep pace with the growth in Asia and the rest of the world, further harnessing the opportunities arising from media convergence to spur new innovations in media and technology.

This year, IMDA brings fresh content from Asia for the global market to MIPCOM 2016, leading a delegation of 14 Singapore media companies and presenting over 650 hours of compelling Asian stories across more than 40 titles. Launched on 1 October 2016 following the restructuring of the Info-communications Development Authority (IDA) and the Media Development Authority (MDA), IMDA will create a robust ecosystem to support innovation, transformation, and creation of content for business and for the community.

Some key announcements include:

Singapore-based August Media Holdings announced a licensing agreement with Epigram Books to adapt internationally-acclaimed children’s book series Sherlock Sam for television and film, with the TV programme currently scheduled for 2018. The Adventures of Sherlock Sam will be available at the MIPCOM trade market.

One Animation (Oddbods, Insectibles) announced that it is continuing its rapid expansion with the hiring of animation industry heavyweight and producer, John McKenna, as studio head. McKenna, whose career has seen him set up and lead studios for Disney, Warner Bros. and 20th Century Fox, will oversee current productions as well as the development of new multiplatform properties.

International trade partners at MIPCOM can network with the Singapore delegation during Singapore Hour, taking place today, 17 October, 4pm – 5pm at the Singapore Pavilion (P-1.C16, P-1.D15).

This year, Singapore’s IMDA lead a delegation of 14 Singapore media companies to MIPCOM 2016, presenting over 650 hours of compelling Asian stories across more than 40 titles. The companies represented range from animation and factual content producers such as One Animation, Monstrou Studio and ActiveTV Asia; to content distributors like Sunrise Entertainment and Ying Group.

Over the past year, the Asian film and television industry has seen strong growth, rising prominence, and international recognition for its talent and content. The newly-formed IMDA was established to keep pace with the growth in Asia and the rest of the world, further harnessing the opportunities arising from media convergence to spur new innovations in media and technology.

Capturing the Asian voice; fresh Asian-themed content

Barangay 143 is an original animated series about a lost youngster in search of a father, and how he finds an unlikely family in a team of misfits. Set against the action-packed world of street basketball, this story on love and family is co-produced by August Media Holdings (Singapore) and Synergy88 Entertainment Media Inc (Philippines), and is slated to be completed in 2017. Barangay 143 will be available for distribution in both English and Tagalog.

Two coastlines, two visions, one big adventure! An iconic race across the Land of the Morning Calm, Going Koastal features two adventurous hosts as they trek 2,413km along the coastline of South Korea, discovering the diverse cultures, foods, festivals and geography along the peninsula. This travel series is being developed by IO Creative (Singapore) and Mountain TV (Korea), and has already gained interest from international broadcasters around the world.

Anticipated titles to look forward to in 2017 and beyond; gearing up for exciting content & formats

The Adventures of Sherlock Sam follows the mystery-solving exploits of smart, observant, food-loving, 10-year-old, Samuel Tan Cher Lock – Singapore’s greatest kid (a.k.a. Sherlock Sam). Singapore-based August Media Holdings announced last week a licensing agreement with Singapore publisher Epigram Books to adapt the award-winning children’s book for TV and Film, and the series will be available in 2018, starting with three languages – English, Bahasa Melayu and Bahasa Indonesia.

Look at My Wedding is a fresh lifestyle programme looking at everything it takes to make a good wedding memorable. Look at My Wedding features exotic destinations include Bali, Byron Bay, Perth, Malaysia, Maldives, Singapore and Jakarta, and is slated to be completed in 2017 by TVS Asia and Sunrise Entertainment.

Salam Ramadhan UK & Salam Ramadhan Korea follows the lives of Muslims living in the United Kingdom and Korea, and how they observe Ramadhan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. The brand new info-edutainment series presents the narratives of individuals from these local communities in an engaging and entertaining fashion, and is expected to be completed in 2017. Both series are produced by Monstrou Studio, in association with Clover Sky.

Exciting Genres & Formats; offering refreshing perspective & innovative storytelling

The Big Idea is a feature documentary with a focus on the new innovations and advances in science and technology happening at breakneck speed. Distributed by Singapore’s national broadcaster, Mediacorp, it attempts to distil the very technologies we believe have the potential to impact our lives.

Combining motoring insights with charismatic high-profile celebrities from across Asia, Celebrity Car Wars is a new highly-entertaining reality series by ActiveTV Asia. Each hour-long episode follows the journeys of the guest celebrities as they are coached and cajoled by experts and put through challenges – while leaving viewers with motoring knowledge in an animated and entertaining manner.

In Big Food, host Greta Georges discovers what it takes to make, manage and move massive amounts of food. This larger-than-life television series, produced by The Moving Visuals Co., will see her travelling the globe in search of the giants of the catering world – from a paella competition in Spain, a free kitchen feeding 80,000 people a day in Punjab, to a wedding for 1,400 guests in Singapore!

October 17, 2016
Exploring Indian kids’ content opportunities at MIPJunior

CANNES: The world’s kids programming screenings and conference MIPJunior is slated to commence today 15 October at the prestigious Hotel Martinez in Cannes. The little French Riviera village was under heavy black cloud cover the whole of 14 October and a constant drizzle through the day forced everyone to bring out their brollies and their rain jackets.

But that won’t be necessary today and the next three to four days. Reason: the weatherman has forecast that the weekend is going to be mostly sunny through to Monday.

The sunny weather is expected to encourage some brisk meetings, conferences, workshops, keynotes, panel discussions, networking through the day at the famed Hotel. And of course champagne, wine is expected to overflow through the day at the lunches and in the restaurants as the world’s top animation and kids content executives huddle together to figure out what the world and their distribution platforms are going to look like in the coming few months.

One session that is being watched with increasing curiosity is in the MIPJunior Lab at 17:15 pm on 16 October Titled Passage to India: Working in this dynamic space, it is being moderated by Animationxpress.com and Indiantelevision.com founder, CEO and editor in chief Anil Wanvari.

India’s top animation studio heads – Rajiv Chilaka of Chhota Bheem and Green Gold Fame, Anish Mehta of Motu Patlu and Cosmos Maya renown, Munjal Shroff of Graphiti Multimedia – and India’s only kids OTT platform Voot CEO Gaurav Gandhi – will be throwing light on how why it makes sense to look at the growing Indian kids market, and how international studios can make head room for themselves in India in the area of co-productions.

“Indian animation is just waiting to explode on to the world stage,” says Wanvari – who also represents Reed Midem’s MipCom, MipTV, MIPJunior, MipCancun, and Mipim events for India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal. “We have the talent, the right stories, and even now the focus to make in India for the world with the Narendra Modi government laying an emphasis on it. An animation requires many partnerships for it to achieve global success. Through this workshop we want to demystify many notions or perceptions that the world community has about Indian studios and the kids content marketplace. Reed Midem and MIPJunior have been very supportive of India’s efforts to build a global IP in kids’ animation. If we succeed in enabling even one partnership or co-production or spark one such opportunity, we will have been successful.”

Shall we say amen to that?

October 15, 2016
Exploring Indian kids’ content opportunities at MIPJunior

CANNES: The world’s kids programming screenings and conference MIPJunior is slated to commence today 15 October at the prestigious Hotel Martinez in Cannes. The little French Riviera village was under heavy black cloud cover the whole of 14 October and a constant drizzle through the day forced everyone to bring out their brollies and their rain jackets.

But that won’t be necessary today and the next three to four days. Reason: the weatherman has forecast that the weekend is going to be mostly sunny through to Monday.

The sunny weather is expected to encourage some brisk meetings, conferences, workshops, keynotes, panel discussions, networking through the day at the famed Hotel. And of course champagne, wine is expected to overflow through the day at the lunches and in the restaurants as the world’s top animation and kids content executives huddle together to figure out what the world and their distribution platforms are going to look like in the coming few months.

One session that is being watched with increasing curiosity is in the MIPJunior Lab at 17:15 pm on 16 October Titled Passage to India: Working in this dynamic space, it is being moderated by Animationxpress.com and Indiantelevision.com founder, CEO and editor in chief Anil Wanvari.

India’s top animation studio heads – Rajiv Chilaka of Chhota Bheem and Green Gold Fame, Anish Mehta of Motu Patlu and Cosmos Maya renown, Munjal Shroff of Graphiti Multimedia – and India’s only kids OTT platform Voot CEO Gaurav Gandhi – will be throwing light on how why it makes sense to look at the growing Indian kids market, and how international studios can make head room for themselves in India in the area of co-productions.

“Indian animation is just waiting to explode on to the world stage,” says Wanvari – who also represents Reed Midem’s MipCom, MipTV, MIPJunior, MipCancun, and Mipim events for India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal. “We have the talent, the right stories, and even now the focus to make in India for the world with the Narendra Modi government laying an emphasis on it. An animation requires many partnerships for it to achieve global success. Through this workshop we want to demystify many notions or perceptions that the world community has about Indian studios and the kids content marketplace. Reed Midem and MIPJunior have been very supportive of India’s efforts to build a global IP in kids’ animation. If we succeed in enabling even one partnership or co-production or spark one such opportunity, we will have been successful.”

Shall we say amen to that?

October 15, 2016
MIPCOM: Ultra Media brings in exclusive titles & new offering

MUMBAI: Ultra has announced its participation at MIPCOM which is scheduled from 17 – 20 October 2016 at Palais des Festivals, Cannes, France. Along with its exhaustive slate of titles spread across films, television, animation & film preservation services, It will also present its latest exclusive production in Cookery and Docudramas. MIPCOM has grown as a potential market for Ultra since the past few years because of its rising demand for Indian content. Indian TV Dramas have made its way into several countries like Poland, Ukraine, Bosnia, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia Vietnam, Nigeria, Tanzania and many other territories.

Ultra Media & Entertainment has been participating in MIPCOM since 2012 and it has always been a prominent market for the company. There has been a huge demand from the visitors for Indian films & television dramas. In fact Ultra had foreseen this trend and had every year been bringing varied titles and content for the discerning visitors in the festival.

This year to participate in MIPCOM, Ultra is exclusively introducing “Ultra Cookery” and “Rusted Postbox”- a series of docudramas from www.mintageworld.com – World’s 1st online museum for Vintage coins, Stamps and Currency notes.

Ultra Cookery

A series of cookery videos that feature healthy, delicious and easy to cook multi-cuisine recipes. The recipes shown in “Ultra Cookery” are quick to make and are a blend of innovative and novel techniques that are easy to follow and can be tried by anyone in their kitchen. This program is primarily recommended for the working folks who share a passion for cooking.

Rusted Postbox

It is a unique concept by mintage world, launched with a social motive to create awareness amongst the general public on the various coins, stamps and currency notes that have been launched to celebrate and commemorate significant global historic events and personalities. It is a series of docudramas that talk about the evolution of various coins, stamps & currency notes from around the world explaining its historical & cultural significance. Here “each stamp, coin and note tells a story” that is narrated in an easy, lucid story telling format with an effective voice over. Till date, there have been 25 episodes.

Ultra pioneered content acquisition & distribution of various media rights of Indian & international television drama, films, animation & other content in various genres & languages from different production companies worldwide. It is also a fully integrated, multi-faceted studio engaged in multiple aspects of entertainment, including full-scale television & film production and distribution and post production service.

October 13, 2016
MIPCOM: Ultra Media brings in exclusive titles & new offering

MUMBAI: Ultra has announced its participation at MIPCOM which is scheduled from 17 – 20 October 2016 at Palais des Festivals, Cannes, France. Along with its exhaustive slate of titles spread across films, television, animation & film preservation services, It will also present its latest exclusive production in Cookery and Docudramas. MIPCOM has grown as a potential market for Ultra since the past few years because of its rising demand for Indian content. Indian TV Dramas have made its way into several countries like Poland, Ukraine, Bosnia, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia Vietnam, Nigeria, Tanzania and many other territories.

Ultra Media & Entertainment has been participating in MIPCOM since 2012 and it has always been a prominent market for the company. There has been a huge demand from the visitors for Indian films & television dramas. In fact Ultra had foreseen this trend and had every year been bringing varied titles and content for the discerning visitors in the festival.

This year to participate in MIPCOM, Ultra is exclusively introducing “Ultra Cookery” and “Rusted Postbox”- a series of docudramas from www.mintageworld.com – World’s 1st online museum for Vintage coins, Stamps and Currency notes.

Ultra Cookery

A series of cookery videos that feature healthy, delicious and easy to cook multi-cuisine recipes. The recipes shown in “Ultra Cookery” are quick to make and are a blend of innovative and novel techniques that are easy to follow and can be tried by anyone in their kitchen. This program is primarily recommended for the working folks who share a passion for cooking.

Rusted Postbox

It is a unique concept by mintage world, launched with a social motive to create awareness amongst the general public on the various coins, stamps and currency notes that have been launched to celebrate and commemorate significant global historic events and personalities. It is a series of docudramas that talk about the evolution of various coins, stamps & currency notes from around the world explaining its historical & cultural significance. Here “each stamp, coin and note tells a story” that is narrated in an easy, lucid story telling format with an effective voice over. Till date, there have been 25 episodes.

Ultra pioneered content acquisition & distribution of various media rights of Indian & international television drama, films, animation & other content in various genres & languages from different production companies worldwide. It is also a fully integrated, multi-faceted studio engaged in multiple aspects of entertainment, including full-scale television & film production and distribution and post production service.

October 13, 2016
MIP Junior unveils rich line-up of keynotes & premieres

MUMBAI: MIPJunior yesterday unveiled a stellar line-up of conferences, screenings, and events, headlined by keynotes from Deirdre Brennan, VP Content at Corus Kids, and Catherine Balsam-Schwaber, CCO at Mattel.

MIPJunior, the world’s leading screenings and conference for the kids’ entertainment community, takes place in Cannes, France, on 15-16 October, ahead of the MIPCOM entertainment content market.

The first keynote, scheduled for 4.45pm (local time) on Saturday 15 October, will be delivered by Deirdre Brennan, Vice President Content for leading Canadian kids’ broadcaster Corus Entertainment . Fifteen years after attending her first MIPJunior, Brennan will share some of her adventures in the world of children’s broadcasting, on both sides of the pay wall. The former Australian Broadcasting Corporation exec will discuss her perspective on the risks and opportunities facing the industry today, and raise some important questions around our responsibility to audiences of the future.

The following day at 4.30pm, Catherine Balsam-Schwaber, Chief Content Officer for toy giant Mattel , will use her keynote speech to discuss global trends and innovations shaping the future of the kids’ industry. Balsam-Schwaber leads global teams to develop, implement and maximize Mattel’s integrated strategy for content creation and distribution, digital development and media to connect consumers with the company’s brands in meaningful and innovative ways.

Two MIPJunior World Premiere TV Screenings are scheduled. On Saturday, “Splash and Bubbles ” from The Jim Henson Company and Herschend Enterprises, a series of 80 x 11-minute episodes to debut this autumn in the US on PBS KIDS, will be screened. On Sunday, “Grizzy and the Lemmings” from Hari International will be exclusively shown to MIPJunior delegates. Set in a vast natural reserve lost in an untamed wilderness, a bear called Grizzy feels it’s only natural that the forest ranger’s house becomes his territory as soon as its owner is away – except he has to share it with some annoying lemmings.

This year, the MIPJunior conference programme will explore the future of kids’ content and new storytelling, including sessions on: international coproductions, licensing and merchandising, and the MIPJunior International Pitch, which is backed for the second year in a row by Majid Entertainment, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Media Company. This will take place on Saturday 15 October at 2.30pm.

Among the high profile speakers scheduled to attend MIPJunior panels are: Arne Lohmann, Vice President ZDFE.JUNIOR, ZDF Enterprises (Germany); Lisa Olfman, CEO and Co-Founder, Portfolio Entertainment (Canada); Sean Chu, Founder and CEO, WeKids Asia (China); Layla Lewis, Vice President Global Acquisitions, Nickelodeon (USA); Hitendra Merchant, Founder and CEO, YoBoHo HooplaKidz (India); Pontus Torpvret, Head of Acquisitions, Children, SVT (Sweden); Catherine Fulton, Creative Director for Marketing Strategy and Engagement, Viacom Media Networks (USA); Henrietta Hurford-Jones, Director of Children’s, BBC Worldwide (UK); Helene Juguet, VP Business Development, TV & Digital Production, Ubisoft Motion Pictures (France) and Finn Arnesen, SVP International Distribution & Development, Hasbro Studios (UK).

“New distribution platforms are changing the game, playing by different rules and creating a new dynamic in the whole kids’ content industry. Through this vibrant conference programme, matchmaking and networking events, and an extensive screening library, MIPJunior allows industry executives to identify and promote innovative content capturing the hearts of young viewers across cultural borders,” said Lucy Smith, Director of MIPJunior.

As an appetizer for MIPCOM 2016, we’ve put together this short film . If you haven’t already signed up for free media accreditation – or even if you are already booked to come to Cannes, check out what’s going to be taking place.

October 13, 2016
MIP Junior unveils rich line-up of keynotes & premieres

MUMBAI: MIPJunior yesterday unveiled a stellar line-up of conferences, screenings, and events, headlined by keynotes from Deirdre Brennan, VP Content at Corus Kids, and Catherine Balsam-Schwaber, CCO at Mattel.

MIPJunior, the world’s leading screenings and conference for the kids’ entertainment community, takes place in Cannes, France, on 15-16 October, ahead of the MIPCOM entertainment content market.

The first keynote, scheduled for 4.45pm (local time) on Saturday 15 October, will be delivered by Deirdre Brennan, Vice President Content for leading Canadian kids’ broadcaster Corus Entertainment . Fifteen years after attending her first MIPJunior, Brennan will share some of her adventures in the world of children’s broadcasting, on both sides of the pay wall. The former Australian Broadcasting Corporation exec will discuss her perspective on the risks and opportunities facing the industry today, and raise some important questions around our responsibility to audiences of the future.

The following day at 4.30pm, Catherine Balsam-Schwaber, Chief Content Officer for toy giant Mattel , will use her keynote speech to discuss global trends and innovations shaping the future of the kids’ industry. Balsam-Schwaber leads global teams to develop, implement and maximize Mattel’s integrated strategy for content creation and distribution, digital development and media to connect consumers with the company’s brands in meaningful and innovative ways.

Two MIPJunior World Premiere TV Screenings are scheduled. On Saturday, “Splash and Bubbles ” from The Jim Henson Company and Herschend Enterprises, a series of 80 x 11-minute episodes to debut this autumn in the US on PBS KIDS, will be screened. On Sunday, “Grizzy and the Lemmings” from Hari International will be exclusively shown to MIPJunior delegates. Set in a vast natural reserve lost in an untamed wilderness, a bear called Grizzy feels it’s only natural that the forest ranger’s house becomes his territory as soon as its owner is away – except he has to share it with some annoying lemmings.

This year, the MIPJunior conference programme will explore the future of kids’ content and new storytelling, including sessions on: international coproductions, licensing and merchandising, and the MIPJunior International Pitch, which is backed for the second year in a row by Majid Entertainment, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Media Company. This will take place on Saturday 15 October at 2.30pm.

Among the high profile speakers scheduled to attend MIPJunior panels are: Arne Lohmann, Vice President ZDFE.JUNIOR, ZDF Enterprises (Germany); Lisa Olfman, CEO and Co-Founder, Portfolio Entertainment (Canada); Sean Chu, Founder and CEO, WeKids Asia (China); Layla Lewis, Vice President Global Acquisitions, Nickelodeon (USA); Hitendra Merchant, Founder and CEO, YoBoHo HooplaKidz (India); Pontus Torpvret, Head of Acquisitions, Children, SVT (Sweden); Catherine Fulton, Creative Director for Marketing Strategy and Engagement, Viacom Media Networks (USA); Henrietta Hurford-Jones, Director of Children’s, BBC Worldwide (UK); Helene Juguet, VP Business Development, TV & Digital Production, Ubisoft Motion Pictures (France) and Finn Arnesen, SVP International Distribution & Development, Hasbro Studios (UK).

“New distribution platforms are changing the game, playing by different rules and creating a new dynamic in the whole kids’ content industry. Through this vibrant conference programme, matchmaking and networking events, and an extensive screening library, MIPJunior allows industry executives to identify and promote innovative content capturing the hearts of young viewers across cultural borders,” said Lucy Smith, Director of MIPJunior.

As an appetizer for MIPCOM 2016, we’ve put together this short film . If you haven’t already signed up for free media accreditation – or even if you are already booked to come to Cannes, check out what’s going to be taking place.

October 13, 2016
Portfolio adds preschool, lifestyle content to catalogue

MUMBAI: Portfolio Entertainment is en route to MIPCOM with an expanded catalogue featuring an all-new lineup of preschool, factual and lifestyle series. These new acquisitions from Portfolio Entertainment join its current slate of internationally-renowned content.

Mack & Moxy (12 x 13’) is a fun and colourful preschool series that introduces kids to universal values and important causes. Each episode of award-winningMack & Moxy features a special celebrity guest such as Hank Azaria, Rachael Ray, Keegan-Michael Key, Kal Penn and Josh Duhamel. So Smart! (7 x 30’, 52 x 5.5’ and 3 x 30’) is an award-winning collection of animated series for babies and toddlers. These series are the latest acquisitions from the U.S. to join Portfolio Entertainment’s kids and preschool lineup. Portfolio Entertainment is also driving into MIPCOM with its brand new title, Car Stories, a series from Canada’s Joe Media that tells high octane and emotional stories about the world’s most prized classic cars. The distributor is also introducing Best In The World Japan (10 x 30’) and Welcome To The Railworld Japan (10 x 30’), two new lifestyle/travel series from Malaysia-based Primeworks Distribution. Best in The World Japan is a series on the extraordinary culinary delights of the island nation, while Welcome To The Railworld Japan takes viewers on an incredible journey across the county by train.

“Portfolio Entertainment is aggressively pursuing acquisitions across all genres and is continuing to forge international partnerships with talented content creators. We are very excited to bring these freshly acquired titles to MIPCOM,” said Portfolio’s director of international sales and acquisitions, Jonathan Abraham. “Over the years, Portfolio has built a rich and diverse catalogue of entertaining and informative preschool, lifestyle and travel content that hits the mark with audiences around the globe, and these five new additions to our catalogue are no exception.”

So Smart!

•        Baby’s First Beginnings (7 x 30’)
•        Baby’s First Word Stories (52 x 5.5’)
•        King Otis and the Kingdom of Goode (3 x 30’)

So Smart! is an award-winning series of videos for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. A trusted brand for almost two decades, the deliberately gentle pace, engaging imagery and soothing music make So Smart! a favourite for families worldwide.

Best In The World Japan (10 x 30’)

As a country that boasts the most three-star restaurants in the world and an array of spectacular cuisine, Japan is the ultimate food lover’s paradise.Featuring the hilarious and high-energy host Razif Hashim on his journey to the Land of the Rising Sun, viewers will discover the culture, the history, and most importantly the food of this extraordinary island nation.

Welcome To The Railworld Japan (10 x 30’)

Host Henry Golding discovers the essence of Japan by embarking on a unique and fulfilling journey through the Japan’s most prominent mode of transport, the railway system. Viewers join Henry on this ride where he is on a quest to uncover all the rich culture, fascinating attractions and mouth-watering delicacies that the Land of the Rising Sun has to offer.

Car Stories (13 x 30’)

Car Stories is a rolling tour of some of the most beautiful and rare classic cars ever made, as seen through the loving eyes of their doting owners. From powerful muscle cars like the 429 Boss Mustang to slow but steady practical classics like the Citroen 2-CV, each of these cars has a backstory. Viewers buckle up for a fun and a sometimes hair-raising ride with tales of love and loss, youth and excitement, and attention to detail.

Visit Portfolio Entertainment at MIPCOM booth P-1.A0.

October 12, 2016
Portfolio adds preschool, lifestyle content to catalogue

MUMBAI: Portfolio Entertainment is en route to MIPCOM with an expanded catalogue featuring an all-new lineup of preschool, factual and lifestyle series. These new acquisitions from Portfolio Entertainment join its current slate of internationally-renowned content.

Mack & Moxy (12 x 13’) is a fun and colourful preschool series that introduces kids to universal values and important causes. Each episode of award-winningMack & Moxy features a special celebrity guest such as Hank Azaria, Rachael Ray, Keegan-Michael Key, Kal Penn and Josh Duhamel. So Smart! (7 x 30’, 52 x 5.5’ and 3 x 30’) is an award-winning collection of animated series for babies and toddlers. These series are the latest acquisitions from the U.S. to join Portfolio Entertainment’s kids and preschool lineup. Portfolio Entertainment is also driving into MIPCOM with its brand new title, Car Stories, a series from Canada’s Joe Media that tells high octane and emotional stories about the world’s most prized classic cars. The distributor is also introducing Best In The World Japan (10 x 30’) and Welcome To The Railworld Japan (10 x 30’), two new lifestyle/travel series from Malaysia-based Primeworks Distribution. Best in The World Japan is a series on the extraordinary culinary delights of the island nation, while Welcome To The Railworld Japan takes viewers on an incredible journey across the county by train.

“Portfolio Entertainment is aggressively pursuing acquisitions across all genres and is continuing to forge international partnerships with talented content creators. We are very excited to bring these freshly acquired titles to MIPCOM,” said Portfolio’s director of international sales and acquisitions, Jonathan Abraham. “Over the years, Portfolio has built a rich and diverse catalogue of entertaining and informative preschool, lifestyle and travel content that hits the mark with audiences around the globe, and these five new additions to our catalogue are no exception.”

So Smart!

•        Baby’s First Beginnings (7 x 30’)
•        Baby’s First Word Stories (52 x 5.5’)
•        King Otis and the Kingdom of Goode (3 x 30’)

So Smart! is an award-winning series of videos for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. A trusted brand for almost two decades, the deliberately gentle pace, engaging imagery and soothing music make So Smart! a favourite for families worldwide.

Best In The World Japan (10 x 30’)

As a country that boasts the most three-star restaurants in the world and an array of spectacular cuisine, Japan is the ultimate food lover’s paradise.Featuring the hilarious and high-energy host Razif Hashim on his journey to the Land of the Rising Sun, viewers will discover the culture, the history, and most importantly the food of this extraordinary island nation.

Welcome To The Railworld Japan (10 x 30’)

Host Henry Golding discovers the essence of Japan by embarking on a unique and fulfilling journey through the Japan’s most prominent mode of transport, the railway system. Viewers join Henry on this ride where he is on a quest to uncover all the rich culture, fascinating attractions and mouth-watering delicacies that the Land of the Rising Sun has to offer.

Car Stories (13 x 30’)

Car Stories is a rolling tour of some of the most beautiful and rare classic cars ever made, as seen through the loving eyes of their doting owners. From powerful muscle cars like the 429 Boss Mustang to slow but steady practical classics like the Citroen 2-CV, each of these cars has a backstory. Viewers buckle up for a fun and a sometimes hair-raising ride with tales of love and loss, youth and excitement, and attention to detail.

Visit Portfolio Entertainment at MIPCOM booth P-1.A0.

October 12, 2016
MIPCOM 2016 hosts Women in Global Entertainment Power Lunch

MUMBAI: The MIPCOM 2016 Women in Global Entertainment Power Lunch once again features some of the industry’s heavy-hitters discussing the role of women, both on and off-screen.

The fifth edition of MIPCOM’s annual thought leadership and networking event for the most influential women shaping the future of TV and entertainment is run in partnership with A+E Networks and Lifetime, along with The Hollywood Reporter.

The global entertainment content market, MIPCOM takes place in Cannes, France, from 17-20 October. The Women in Global Entertainment Power Lunch is scheduled for Monday 17 October, at the Hotel Majestic.

The event will be introduced by A+E Networks chief marketing officer Amanda Hill, who will take a deep dive into the female experience, uncovering and highlighting the important issues facing women today via a recent Lifetime study. In addition, Hill will discuss Lifetime’s launch of a new multiplatform initiative called The Fempire, which targets fourth-wave feminists. Its mission is to create content for women, by women, about women, and to engage with them 24/7.

This will be followed by a presentation from Emmy® Award-nominated Constance Zimmer and fellow actress Shiri Appleby, who both star in Lifetime’s “UnREAL”. They will talk about their respective roles in the series, and how it ties into Lifetime’s ethos and what female empowerment means today.

The Women in Global Entertainment programme continues with an inspirational conversation between two leading figures of the film and TV industries, Betsy Beers, Partner at Shondaland, and pioneering French Director, Screenwriter, and Producer Euzhan Palcy.

A multi-award-winning producer, Beers is Executive Producer of ABC Studios’ hit series “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Scandal,” “How to Get Away With Murder,” and “The Catch,” along with the upcoming new Untitled Shondaland Project (formerly known as “Still Star-Crossed”). In 2008, Beers partnered with Shonda Rhimes and her company Shondaland to develop and produce additional feature film and television projects. Prior to her exclusive foray into television, Beers served as President of the Mark Gordon Company, President of director Mike Newell’s Dogstar Films, and developed and produced such films as “200 Cigarettes,” “High Fidelity,” and “Pushing Tin” among many others. In 2014, Beers and Rhimes were honoured by the Directors Guild of America with the coveted Diversity Award for their commitment to diversity hiring and their long record of providing opportunities to women and minorities. (Rhimes is also being honoured as MIPCOM 2016 Personality of the Year.)

Euzhan Palcy is an award-winning filmmaker, and the first black female director produced by a major Hollywood studio, through her apartheid-themed feature movie, “A Dry White Season” (MGM, 1989). She is also the first black person ever to win a Cesar, the French Film Academy Awards, and the only woman ever to have directed Marlon Brando. Through films such as “Sugar Cane Alley,” “Ruby Bridges” and “The Killing Yard,” her work explores themes of race, gender, and social justice from a decidedly feminist and humanist perspective. In 2016, Palcy received the Honorary Award of the first Positive Cinema Week of Cannes, and The Wrap included her on its list of 17 Most Influential Women Who Revolutionised Hollywood. Palcy will unveil exclusive images in Cannes from an interview she did with the late South African President in a segment entitled “Nelson Mandela and the Role of Women,” an extract from a 25-minute filmed interview.

“For the fifth edition of MIPCOM’s Women in Global Entertainment Power Lunch, we are delighted to welcome a line-up of women who are behind some of the most creative and challenging content in contemporary television. The summit is thus continuing its mission as a key event for those women who are shaping the future of TV and entertainment,” said Reed MIDEM’s Television Division director Laurine Garaude.

October 7, 2016