Category: Specials

MIPCOM 2016 sets new records

CANNES: Record attendances at MIPJunior and MIPCOM, more World Premiere TV and International Screenings than ever, a remarkable Japan Country of Honour programme, a Personality of the Year, Shonda Rhimes, who packed delegates into her keynote interview and a tour de force opening keynote from Sony Corporation’s president and CEO Kazuo Hirai, combined to make for a highly successful and memorable MIPCOM 2016.

MIPJunior (October 15-16) set the tone for the week with a record 1,600 participants including more than 630 buyers (+10%), 1,200 programmes in the screening library and 260 new development projects presented to potential partners. Delegates were treated to a double helping of World Premiere TV Screenings with “Splash and Bubbles” (produced by the Jim Henson Company and Herschend Enterprises) and “Grizzy and the Lemmings” from Studio Hari Production.

Illustrating the wide international appeal of programming for kids, MIPJunior hosted presentations covering new animation from Finland, animation coproduction opportunities with India, hot kids shows in Norway, how to work in China and how to coproduce with MIPCOM Country of Honour Japan – where animation accounts for 62% of the country’s television exports.

At the main MIPCOM event, which drew delegations from 108 countries, attendance reached some 14,000 with 4,900 buyers registered including 1,500 acquisition executives working for digital platforms and SVOD.

In all, 2,000 exhibiting companies packed the Palais des Festivals with new national pavilions bringing together companies from Chile, New Zealand, Morocco, the Philippines, Russia and Japan. Outside the Palais des Festivals exhibition hall, ITV Studios’ revolutionary two-storey stand, made of massive containers, drew plenty of attention.

Following the successful launch of the MIPDrama Screenings in April 2016, MIPCOM hosted a record number of major drama launches in the World Premiere TV Screenings and International Drama Screenings.

Among the mega-productions on view, the World Premiere TV Screenings showcased ‘Mata Hari’ (presented by Red Arrow International), ‘The Halcyon’ (presented by Sony Pictures Television), ‘The Same Sky’ (presented by Beta Film), ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let’s do the Time Warp Again’ (presented by 20th Century Fox Television Distribution’) and an exclusive episode of ‘The Catch, Season 2’ (presented by Disney Media Distribution). For the first time, two of the Screenings, ‘Mata Hari’ and ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show,’ were open to the Cannes public who reacted enthusiastically to both shows.

“The interest in the World Premiere TV Screenings and the International Drama Screenings continues to grow and it was great to be able to invite the Cannes public to ‘Mata Hari’ and ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let’s do the Time Warp Again.’ This bodes well for our plans to expand the 2017 MIPDrama Screenings next April and helps us as we continue to look at bringing a high-end drama festival element to our future events,” noted Laurine Garaude, Director of Reed MIDEM’s Television Division.

With Japan as MIPCOM’s Country of Honour, 500 Japanese executives from 104 companies attended MIPCOM. Japan’s Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, sent a special video message to the international television community in Cannes welcoming the MIPCOM Country of Honour programme and the possibility to promote the best in Japanese tech skills and content.

Delegates enthused that the Japan-themed Opening Party, complete with a host of Japanese chefs, specially-imported Japanese food and beverage and Japanese live music, was one of the most memorable MIPCOM openers in recent years. On the conference front, Sony Corporation President and CEO Kazuo Hirai, opened proceedings with his keynote during a MIPCOM which saw the spotlight turned on Japan’s tech prowess with the latest developments of HD, 4K, 8K and Virtual Reality showcased alongside the newest animation programmes coming to the international market from Japan.

Undoubted star of MIPCOM 2016 was Personality of the Year Shonda Rhimes. In her various (and often combined) roles as Creator, Writer, Showrunner or Executive Producer, Shonda Rhimes is the driving force behind ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ ‘Scandal,’ ‘How to Get Away With Murder’ and ‘The Catch.’

Rhimes was honoured at the annual MIPCOM Personality of the Year gala dinner October 19, which included live and moving tributes to her from ‘The Catch’s’ Mireille Enos, Tony Goldwyn from ‘Scandal’ and fellow ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Executive Producer Betsy Beers.

With so much high-end drama at MIPCOM, international talent was in abundance as stars accompanied their respective shows to the market.

Household names in Cannes included keynote speaker and actor Kiefer Sutherland with ‘Designated Survivor,’ Kyle MacLachlan promoting the new ‘Twin Peaks,’ Dennis Quaid for season 2 of ‘Fortitude,’ ‘Unreal’s’ Constance Zimmer and Shiri Appleby, ‘Conviction’s’ Hayley Atwell, ‘Victoria’ star Jenna Coleman and representing ‘Mata Hari’ Christopher Lambert and Vahina Giocante.

As part of the Country of Honour programme, Japanese star Kento Hayashi flew in for a special screening of ‘Moribito 2: Guardian of the Spirit.’

French thespians in town were also numerous with Leila Bekhti, Tcheky Karyo, Emma de Caunes, and Clementine Poidatz all attending MIPCOM.

“This has been an excellent edition of MIPCOM. Through the central theme of New Television we have showcased technical innovation, discussed how to reach out to younger audiences who consume entertainment when, where and how they want and brought together traditional television leaders with newer online companies. This year has seen a combination of plentiful deal-making, celebration, exchange of knowledge and keynotes from major industry leaders,” concluded Reed MIDEM’s Laurine Garaude.

At MIPCOM every October, industry’s major players converge in Cannes to turn every moment into an opportunity, transforming four days of meetings, screenings and conferences into deals, from blockbuster programming to ground-breaking partnerships. And MIPJunior is the leading showcase for kids programming, uniting the world’s most influential buyers, sellers and producers the weekend before MIPCOM.

Reed MIDEM is an organiser of professional, international markets that are essential business platforms for key players in the sectors concerned. Reed MIDEM is a division of Reed Exhibitions, the world’s leading event organiser, with over 500 events in 43 countries.

October 21, 2016
BidSlate offers film buyers, content-owners negotiation platform

CANNES: What if filmmakers didn’t have to rely solely on film markets and sales agents to sell content? And international film buyers had continuous access to a 24/7 international marketplace populated by an ever-growing catalog of content? Revolutionizing the process of transacting global media rights and distribution, BidSlate® offers both buyers and sellers a secure, transparent marketplace to negotiate, buy and sell film rights. With partner companies helping to simplify the sales process even further, BidSlate officially launch this October, just prior to MIPCOM. The announcement was yesterday made by co-founders Roland Rojas and Jesse Scolaro.

Each year, thousands of high-quality independent films, documentaries, shorts, and series are produced. But the current international sales model leaves many independent distributors and filmmakers out of the loop due to excessive costs and a cumbersome, opaque process. Backed by several years of research and development and created by longtime film industry veterans, the user-friendly BidSlate platform looks to transform the process of negotiating and transacting rights by facilitating the process.

Secure, convenient and accessible for both global buyers and content owners, BidSlate verifies all members through a quick and simple registration process. Once approved, sellers can upload their media and metadata; and, through a dynamic search engine, buyers have access to a broad content library searchable by specific purchasing needs. Transparency between parties follows, with BidSlate further simplifying the process by generating a transaction-specific, industry-standard distribution agreement, and selecting a globally-trusted cross-border payments company, Payoneer, for escrow.

For filmmakers, BidSlate offers an A-to-Z solution, easily paving the road to distribution. And with the ability to sell territorial rights on an a la carte basis, revenues can be maximized geographically. BidSlate is in the process of finalizing agreements with some of the best post-production and delivery partners in the industry. BidSlate also offers filmmakers a one-stop solution for delivering their content to global buyers, making the entire process seamless and comprehensive.

For buyers, BidSlate means instant access to an international film marketplace that never closes. With thousands of annual film festivals, it’s nearly impossible, costly and inefficient to access, track, negotiate and purchase content easily. But BidSlate offers content distributors numerous easy-to-use tools certain to simplify the entire rights purchase process: immediate streaming of entire films anywhere and anytime; contact sellers via the in-platform messaging system with purchase-specific questions; make bids and secure deals with sellers directly from the platform.

“Working hand-in-hand with both buyers and sellers, we’ve spent several years working on the BidSlate platform in order to offer a secure and efficient marketplace for global film sales”, says Rojas. “Given our varied experiences in indie films, we understand the importance of supporting filmmakers and getting their films in front of the widest possible audience. Though we may be viewed as an industry disruptor, our objective is to offer a simple, transparent and cost-effective alternative to the current industry model.”

October 20, 2016
BidSlate offers film buyers, content-owners negotiation platform

CANNES: What if filmmakers didn’t have to rely solely on film markets and sales agents to sell content? And international film buyers had continuous access to a 24/7 international marketplace populated by an ever-growing catalog of content? Revolutionizing the process of transacting global media rights and distribution, BidSlate® offers both buyers and sellers a secure, transparent marketplace to negotiate, buy and sell film rights. With partner companies helping to simplify the sales process even further, BidSlate officially launch this October, just prior to MIPCOM. The announcement was yesterday made by co-founders Roland Rojas and Jesse Scolaro.

Each year, thousands of high-quality independent films, documentaries, shorts, and series are produced. But the current international sales model leaves many independent distributors and filmmakers out of the loop due to excessive costs and a cumbersome, opaque process. Backed by several years of research and development and created by longtime film industry veterans, the user-friendly BidSlate platform looks to transform the process of negotiating and transacting rights by facilitating the process.

Secure, convenient and accessible for both global buyers and content owners, BidSlate verifies all members through a quick and simple registration process. Once approved, sellers can upload their media and metadata; and, through a dynamic search engine, buyers have access to a broad content library searchable by specific purchasing needs. Transparency between parties follows, with BidSlate further simplifying the process by generating a transaction-specific, industry-standard distribution agreement, and selecting a globally-trusted cross-border payments company, Payoneer, for escrow.

For filmmakers, BidSlate offers an A-to-Z solution, easily paving the road to distribution. And with the ability to sell territorial rights on an a la carte basis, revenues can be maximized geographically. BidSlate is in the process of finalizing agreements with some of the best post-production and delivery partners in the industry. BidSlate also offers filmmakers a one-stop solution for delivering their content to global buyers, making the entire process seamless and comprehensive.

For buyers, BidSlate means instant access to an international film marketplace that never closes. With thousands of annual film festivals, it’s nearly impossible, costly and inefficient to access, track, negotiate and purchase content easily. But BidSlate offers content distributors numerous easy-to-use tools certain to simplify the entire rights purchase process: immediate streaming of entire films anywhere and anytime; contact sellers via the in-platform messaging system with purchase-specific questions; make bids and secure deals with sellers directly from the platform.

“Working hand-in-hand with both buyers and sellers, we’ve spent several years working on the BidSlate platform in order to offer a secure and efficient marketplace for global film sales”, says Rojas. “Given our varied experiences in indie films, we understand the importance of supporting filmmakers and getting their films in front of the widest possible audience. Though we may be viewed as an industry disruptor, our objective is to offer a simple, transparent and cost-effective alternative to the current industry model.”

October 20, 2016
Two popular BMX content creators join XTreme video multi-platform network

CANNES: XTreme Video, the leading Multi-Platform Network (MPN) for extreme athletes and creators with over 200 million views each month and more than 50 million social followers, today announced the addition of two of YouTube’s top BMX creators, KinkBMX and Boqer123, to the XTreme Video network. Heading into MIPCOM 2016, XTreme Video’s social networks provide a space for prime cross-promotion with the creators, most of whom have already amassed a huge social following themselves before joining the XTreme Video team.

“We are in awe of how Boqer123 and KinkBMX grew their own devoted audiences within the extreme sports fan base through their zealous use of social media and great content creation,”says Gregg Bywalski, CEO of XTreme Video. “We’re very excited to welcome our new creators to the XTreme Video family and introduce them to our passionate and international growing community. We look forward to create new opportunities with our creators to think, create and share exciting new stories tailored to their millennial audiences with broadcasters and major platforms.”

Founded in 2011, Boqer123 is a crew that creates original BMX webisodes. Alongside his YouTube shenanigans, the founder of Boqer123, Josh James, has also launched a clothing brand. Boqer123 grew its community into one of the most followed BMX and lifestyle brand on social network channels with +320K subscribers across all social platforms.

“I’ve used a few MCN’s before I signed with XTreme Video, and I can safely say I’ve felt used by all of them,”said James. “However, XTreme Video are completely different. They make you feel like you’re their only client, giving off a very personal feel to the relationship. Not only that, but there’s a personal level to the communication which makes you feel like friends as opposed to partners. I’ve only been signed for a short period of time, but I know it’ll be a great future together.”

KinkBMX is a BMX bike part supplier based out of Rochester, NY who also create high-quality videos, highlighting the newest gear, tricks and the BMX lifestyle. KinkBMX has build over the years an engaged community around its brand with +512K subscribers across their social platforms.

XTreme Video continues to discover, develop, and support independent creators by enabling them to produce and sell their work, such as video content and merchandise, through their digital distribution network, Agency and e-commerce site. XTreme Video is the number one Multi-Platform Network for extreme creators. Since 1994, XTreme Video has been the home of extreme creators capturing and documenting the culture, locations and stories of extreme activities.

October 19, 2016
Two popular BMX content creators join XTreme video multi-platform network

CANNES: XTreme Video, the leading Multi-Platform Network (MPN) for extreme athletes and creators with over 200 million views each month and more than 50 million social followers, today announced the addition of two of YouTube’s top BMX creators, KinkBMX and Boqer123, to the XTreme Video network. Heading into MIPCOM 2016, XTreme Video’s social networks provide a space for prime cross-promotion with the creators, most of whom have already amassed a huge social following themselves before joining the XTreme Video team.

“We are in awe of how Boqer123 and KinkBMX grew their own devoted audiences within the extreme sports fan base through their zealous use of social media and great content creation,”says Gregg Bywalski, CEO of XTreme Video. “We’re very excited to welcome our new creators to the XTreme Video family and introduce them to our passionate and international growing community. We look forward to create new opportunities with our creators to think, create and share exciting new stories tailored to their millennial audiences with broadcasters and major platforms.”

Founded in 2011, Boqer123 is a crew that creates original BMX webisodes. Alongside his YouTube shenanigans, the founder of Boqer123, Josh James, has also launched a clothing brand. Boqer123 grew its community into one of the most followed BMX and lifestyle brand on social network channels with +320K subscribers across all social platforms.

“I’ve used a few MCN’s before I signed with XTreme Video, and I can safely say I’ve felt used by all of them,”said James. “However, XTreme Video are completely different. They make you feel like you’re their only client, giving off a very personal feel to the relationship. Not only that, but there’s a personal level to the communication which makes you feel like friends as opposed to partners. I’ve only been signed for a short period of time, but I know it’ll be a great future together.”

KinkBMX is a BMX bike part supplier based out of Rochester, NY who also create high-quality videos, highlighting the newest gear, tricks and the BMX lifestyle. KinkBMX has build over the years an engaged community around its brand with +512K subscribers across their social platforms.

XTreme Video continues to discover, develop, and support independent creators by enabling them to produce and sell their work, such as video content and merchandise, through their digital distribution network, Agency and e-commerce site. XTreme Video is the number one Multi-Platform Network for extreme creators. Since 1994, XTreme Video has been the home of extreme creators capturing and documenting the culture, locations and stories of extreme activities.

October 19, 2016
INsight-Flare to produce reality competition ‘The Line’

CANNES: INsight TV has commissioned yet another new original format in Ultra HD, partnering with Flare Media to produce the reality competition The Line.

The Line

The premise of The Line is simple, but epic; Race 15-25 kilometers in one absolutely straight line, no matter what the terrain. The challenge is set by placing the line across cities, suburbs, swamps, factories or even golf courses.

Two teams of nine contestants race from one end of the line to the other, starting at opposite ends. They have follow the line to the finish faster than their opponents, passing the other team along the way.

But there is a catch: although the line can be up to 25 kilometers long, it is only ever 25 meters wide and every time a team strays outside that boundary it is penalized.
That means the teams have to negotiate rivers, buildings, obstacles and less than welcoming locals… just to stay inside the line.

INsight

Bringing the next generation of television broadcasting. INsight is an inspiring UHD TV channel created for the millennial viewer who wants to watch real trending content told through incredible stories. Watchable wherever and whenever the viewer wants. INsight is committed to pushing the boundaries of linear and non-linear broadcasting and brings first-class programs to viewers globally, all in Ultra HD. INsight commissions and broadcasts over 200 hours of brand new, original Ultra HD content per year.

Flare Media

Flare Media has a wide range of formats they create from concept to final production. From reality to big game shows and from scripted to daily stripped. Flare Media produces TV shows for national and international, commercial and public broadcasters.

The Line is the first production under the strategic collaboration agreement between INsight and Flare Media.

October 19, 2016
INsight-Flare to produce reality competition ‘The Line’

CANNES: INsight TV has commissioned yet another new original format in Ultra HD, partnering with Flare Media to produce the reality competition The Line.

The Line

The premise of The Line is simple, but epic; Race 15-25 kilometers in one absolutely straight line, no matter what the terrain. The challenge is set by placing the line across cities, suburbs, swamps, factories or even golf courses.

Two teams of nine contestants race from one end of the line to the other, starting at opposite ends. They have follow the line to the finish faster than their opponents, passing the other team along the way.

But there is a catch: although the line can be up to 25 kilometers long, it is only ever 25 meters wide and every time a team strays outside that boundary it is penalized.
That means the teams have to negotiate rivers, buildings, obstacles and less than welcoming locals… just to stay inside the line.

INsight

Bringing the next generation of television broadcasting. INsight is an inspiring UHD TV channel created for the millennial viewer who wants to watch real trending content told through incredible stories. Watchable wherever and whenever the viewer wants. INsight is committed to pushing the boundaries of linear and non-linear broadcasting and brings first-class programs to viewers globally, all in Ultra HD. INsight commissions and broadcasts over 200 hours of brand new, original Ultra HD content per year.

Flare Media

Flare Media has a wide range of formats they create from concept to final production. From reality to big game shows and from scripted to daily stripped. Flare Media produces TV shows for national and international, commercial and public broadcasters.

The Line is the first production under the strategic collaboration agreement between INsight and Flare Media.

October 19, 2016
FremantleMedia brings ‘Familiar Taste’ to MIPCOM

CANNES: FremantleMedia is bringing a brand new title to MIPCOM 2016, which promises to leave viewers feeling warm inside. Familiar Taste sees well-known faces thanking those people who have had a major impact on their lives by sharing with them a surprise meal they have cooked themselves.

Co-developed by Zhejiang Satellite and Purity Media, the deal to distribute the format rights internationally was brokered through FremantleMedia China CEO Vivian Yin following a successful competitive pitch with other international producers and distributors.Familiar Taste is the first Chinese property that FremantleMedia has brought to the market as part of FremantleMedia’s wider strategy to use its network to give local producers an international platform for their content.

Each week in Familiar Taste a celebrity – aided by the show’s hosts – prepare the surprise culinary treat for the person they love or admire. It could be a parent, a sibling, an old primary school teacher or sports coach. Through interviews we learn why this person means so much to the personality and the significance of the dish they want to prepare to thank them. Having established a plan of action, the host then helps to prepare for the big occasion: accompanying them as they shop for the best produce, advising on the preparation of the meal, and helping dress the dining space.

All the while, they hide the preparation from the loved one, sometimes with comedic results! As the emotionally-charged surprise is revealed, our celebrity is able to thank their guest in the most delicious way possible – through smell, taste and enjoyment of the food they have lovingly prepared and shared.

FremantleMedia executive VP of global acquisitions & development, Vasha Wallace, said: “Familiar Taste is a beautifully warm and hugely emotional show that will have viewers laughing and crying in equal measure. It cleverly uses food as a means of saying thank you to those people we sometimes take for granted. This is the first time we’ve brought a Chinese format to the international market place and we’re really excited that we can support Zhejiang Satellite and Purity Media in providing a showcase for it at MIPCOM 2016.”

Zhejiang Satellite TV Station director of strategic development center, Hangying Yu, said, “Familiar Taste conveys sincere emotions through delicious food and presents more possibilities of a food show to audiences by breaking the traditional ways to do it. It uses more interesting format design to genuinely let food and flavor express love and provide a more profound connection between food and emotion. We are so delighted that this Chinese format can be distributed to the world. And we hope that by this kind of culture spread, we could let the world better understand China.”

Purity Media general manager Jinma said: “I’m proud to say that Familiar Taste can be called a dark horse in the TV shows aired this year. The program is totally original and designed by our team based on tons of research and discussion. Both the critical acclaim and excellent ratings are the reasons why it has attracted such global attention. This show is so unique in that it’s not a conventional food show. Every ordinary dish contains a little untold touching story. That’s why Familiar Taste could attract those super stars’ participation and stand out in these years’ countless outdoor reality shows. Also I believe that the key element of the show is universal. People all have this kind of experience to feel love and pay gratitude by having a Familiar Taste.”

Season One of Familiar Taste proved to be a rating success in China when it was broadcast on Zhejiang Satellite earlier this year. The show gained an average 1.3 and came first in its time slot – and the broadcaster has already commissioned a second season.

October 19, 2016
FremantleMedia brings ‘Familiar Taste’ to MIPCOM

CANNES: FremantleMedia is bringing a brand new title to MIPCOM 2016, which promises to leave viewers feeling warm inside. Familiar Taste sees well-known faces thanking those people who have had a major impact on their lives by sharing with them a surprise meal they have cooked themselves.

Co-developed by Zhejiang Satellite and Purity Media, the deal to distribute the format rights internationally was brokered through FremantleMedia China CEO Vivian Yin following a successful competitive pitch with other international producers and distributors.Familiar Taste is the first Chinese property that FremantleMedia has brought to the market as part of FremantleMedia’s wider strategy to use its network to give local producers an international platform for their content.

Each week in Familiar Taste a celebrity – aided by the show’s hosts – prepare the surprise culinary treat for the person they love or admire. It could be a parent, a sibling, an old primary school teacher or sports coach. Through interviews we learn why this person means so much to the personality and the significance of the dish they want to prepare to thank them. Having established a plan of action, the host then helps to prepare for the big occasion: accompanying them as they shop for the best produce, advising on the preparation of the meal, and helping dress the dining space.

All the while, they hide the preparation from the loved one, sometimes with comedic results! As the emotionally-charged surprise is revealed, our celebrity is able to thank their guest in the most delicious way possible – through smell, taste and enjoyment of the food they have lovingly prepared and shared.

FremantleMedia executive VP of global acquisitions & development, Vasha Wallace, said: “Familiar Taste is a beautifully warm and hugely emotional show that will have viewers laughing and crying in equal measure. It cleverly uses food as a means of saying thank you to those people we sometimes take for granted. This is the first time we’ve brought a Chinese format to the international market place and we’re really excited that we can support Zhejiang Satellite and Purity Media in providing a showcase for it at MIPCOM 2016.”

Zhejiang Satellite TV Station director of strategic development center, Hangying Yu, said, “Familiar Taste conveys sincere emotions through delicious food and presents more possibilities of a food show to audiences by breaking the traditional ways to do it. It uses more interesting format design to genuinely let food and flavor express love and provide a more profound connection between food and emotion. We are so delighted that this Chinese format can be distributed to the world. And we hope that by this kind of culture spread, we could let the world better understand China.”

Purity Media general manager Jinma said: “I’m proud to say that Familiar Taste can be called a dark horse in the TV shows aired this year. The program is totally original and designed by our team based on tons of research and discussion. Both the critical acclaim and excellent ratings are the reasons why it has attracted such global attention. This show is so unique in that it’s not a conventional food show. Every ordinary dish contains a little untold touching story. That’s why Familiar Taste could attract those super stars’ participation and stand out in these years’ countless outdoor reality shows. Also I believe that the key element of the show is universal. People all have this kind of experience to feel love and pay gratitude by having a Familiar Taste.”

Season One of Familiar Taste proved to be a rating success in China when it was broadcast on Zhejiang Satellite earlier this year. The show gained an average 1.3 and came first in its time slot – and the broadcaster has already commissioned a second season.

October 19, 2016
MIPCOM: Beta Film delivers interactive TV-event ‘The Verdict’ throughout Europe

CANNES: The interactive TV-event The Verdict continues its roll-out throughout Europe and will be simultaneously broadcast in six countries with additional territories to follow. The MOOVIE production by Oliver Berben (“Shades of Guilt”, “Hotel Adlon – A Family Saga”) will be screened in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic and Slovakia and live in Cannes/France for the MIPCOM 2016 audience on primetime this Monday night. In addition to the new agreements with Czech Republic and Slovakia Beta Film also secured a contract with Denmark’s DR, which will broadcast the program later this year. Negotiations with several European key territories are underway.

The legal thriller The Verdict (90’), directed by Lars Kraume (“The People vs. Fritz Bauer”), is the latest in a row of joint projects of Oliver Berben and Beta Film and circles around the legal question whether it might be justified to shoot down a civilian plane converted into a deadly suicide missile. The movie, which has already stirred controversial discussions, will be shown on 100 screens in cinema prior to its broadcast.

TV professionals, executives and journalists attending MIPCOM will judge after the screening as viewers will do across Europe. The event, hosted by Beta Film, will take place on Monday, October 17th, 8.15 pm, at C 21 Grand Beach, La Croisette, Cannes.

The case: Terrorists hijack a civil airplane and force the pilot to set course for a sold-out football stadium. At the last minute and against the explicit orders of his wing commander, a German air force pilot shoots down the airplane before it crashes into the stadium. Having saved the lives of tens of thousands but killing all passengers on board, he now faces charges for his action in court.

The concept: The audience witnesses the trial and have to judge for themselves by voting live online, via telephone or text message: guilty or innocent? The vote will be moderated in each country by local anchormen. Depending on the outcome, either the conviction or the acquittal of the pilot will be broadcasted, followed by high ranking political talk shows, turning a linear fictional program into an interactive, captivating, and unpredictable TV happening.

The show is based on the stage play “Terror” by bestseller author Ferdinand von Schirach (“Shades of Guilt”) and stars Florian David Fitz (“Vincent Wants to Sea”), Burghart Klaussner (“The White Ribbon”), Martina Gedeck (“Lives of Others”), and Lars Eidinger (“Clouds of Sils Maria”). The Verdict is an Oliver Berben production by MOOVIE in co-production with ARD Degeto and rbb. World sales are handled by Beta Film.

October 17, 2016