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Tag: MIP Junior

  • MIP Junior 2024 draws large Indian presence

    MIP Junior 2024 draws large Indian presence

    CANNES:  It’s been a more compact MIP Junior which was flagged off on 18 October 2025 at the JW Marriot hotel in sunny Cannes, France. But most attendees appreciated the opportunities it offers for co-production, outsourcing, networking and keeping oneself updated about the developments in the kids and animation sector. MIP Junior had close to 1,000 registrants, despite the kids’ segment the world over going through its toughest and most trying times with viewer consumption moving towards streaming platforms.

    The Indian animation industry was well represented with attendees from all over the country coming in decent numbers. In fact, the Indian MIP Junior contingent is the largest in the post pandemic era.

    Among the Indian studios which were represented included: Hornbill Studios, Graphiti Multlmedia, Prayan Studios, Mesmor Studio, Studio56, Yoboho, USP Studios, Softoons Entertainment, Powerkids Entertainment, Purple Turtle and Guppy Theatre/Crossover Media & Design.

    20 Indian  representatives from various Indian studios were seen looking busy. Each one of them had their calendars packed with meetings and interactions with fellow professionals from different countries. And most of them were seen hobnobbing with others during the pre-opening party on the JW Marriot beach on 18 October and the opening one at the Majestic Hotel on 19 October. 
     

  • MIP Junior unveils rich line-up of keynotes & premieres

    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.

  • MIP Junior unveils rich line-up of keynotes & premieres

    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.

  • Mip Junior puts spotlight on VOD

    Mip Junior puts spotlight on VOD

    CANNES: Mip Junior took off on 5 October at the tony Carlton Hotel in Cannes.

    The spotlight was on children’s content as delegates discussed everything from tight budgets to the change in focus to Video on Demand (VOD) to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

    The first session ‘Money Matters: Finding Finance in New and Different Ways’, moderated by Debbie Macdonald consultant Debbie Macdonald and presided over by Snow River Media chief executive Angus Flethcher, concentrated on new business models, opportunities and challenges facing the independent creative and producing world.

    “Technology has changed and so has the audience. The audience is moving dramatically from one platform to the other. There is an extraordinary revolution going on, and it’s exciting to be in the middle of that change,” said Flethcher, adding that though television could be scary, the good part is: “We can directly speak to our audience. Producers today need not make a half an hour or one hour series. Instead they can create a one minute video for the internet and get immediate feedback.”

    He said content producers now had both newer entry points and people to talk to. Citing the example of Angry Birds, he elaborated: “The character was developed with a story, not as a series, but as a game, and it has done tremendously well.”

    The first session stressed on the importance of the VOD platform. While it was the success of Netflix that made everyone think of VOD as a medium to reach out to audiences, BRB Internacional CEO Carlos Biern said, “Most important is the audience (kids), who can, with VOD, be glued to animation 24X7.”

    Whereas the second session, ‘New Content Deal-Making: get the most of your VOD rights’, spoke about how the VOD platform could be utilised to reach out to audiences. Biern observed it could prove fruitful for advertisers as well while The Jim Henson Company executive vice president, global distribution Richard Goldsmith informed: “VOD is quickly becoming television. So while we look at VOD as a separate source of income, every time we have a conversation with channels, they also want to buy the VOD rights. This shows how important it is becoming for all of us.”

    What emerged is that while Netflix and Amazon may continue to rule the roost, the remaining VOD players had to stand out from the crowd. “We want to become the only option in children’s tablets and smart phones. We all need to involve with our brands to be able to connect with our target group,” said Toon Goggles managing director Stephen L Hodge.

    The key takeaways of the talks seemed to be that every show will sooner than later turn into an app and that SVOD will soon replace standard linear television.

  • Close Koouka wins 2013 Mip Junior International Pitch

    Close Koouka wins 2013 Mip Junior International Pitch

    CANNES: Apart from content, Mip Junior’s biggest draw is an opportunity to present new intellectual properties (IPs) to a larger, more discerning audience.

    This year, of the 60 new projects vying for top honours at the international competition, Mip Junior International Pitch – New Projects for Kids TV, five made it to the final round and one of them was declared winner i.e. Koouka by Aldebaran Distribution and Vallaround, Italy.

    Presented by distributor Anna d’ Alessandro and producer Federico Vallarino, Koouka is the story of a chameleon, which changes the colour, shape and size of the things it touches. Replete with funny gags and sans any dialogue, the series’ theme is identity and how a natural desire to be accepted by others can stop people from expressing their real selves. Interestingly, there are 26 episodes, each of one minute duration.

    The other four who made it to the top five include Being Zeth by Source Animation, India; Goris the Gorilla by Split, Brazil and Chile; Nelly and Nora by Geronimo, Ireland; and The Little Train Choo Choo by JM Animation, Korea.

    The jury comprised BBC head of CBeebies production, animation and acquisition Alison Stewart; Canal+ head of children programmes and channels Laurence Blaevoet; The Walt Disney Company (South East Asia), India head of acquisitions, programming, branded media and content Anand Roy; Globosat Programadora head of content and programming Paula Taborda dos Guaranys; and Kenn Viselmann Presents CEO/owner Kenn Viselman.

    The jury looked for projects with potential for TV and multi-platform brand extensions, as well as originality and overall appeal in the storytelling technique, and Koouka bagged the award. Winners will get free access to Mip TV 2014 and a chance to interact with buyers during the main networking event on 6 October. 

  • MipCom, MipTV workshop planned for Hyderabad this evening

    MipCom, MipTV workshop planned for Hyderabad this evening

    MUMBAI: In the words of many a TV sales and acquisition executive. Paris-based Reed Midem’s MipTV, MipCom, Mip Junior, MipFormats, MipCube are absolutely unmissable (if a word like that can be created specially for this purpose).

     

    Close to 12,000 executives from more than 100 countries, 4000 buyers, 2000 plus exhibitors, hundreds of conferences and keynote speeches and interviews featuring industry global TV broadcast, production, creative, distribution, regulatory leaders are what make all of these a must-attend for the TV ecosystem for decades. A delegation of close to 120 TV professionals from India have been attending each of these markets for the past five-six years.

     

    An estimate is that close to three billion euros in transactions emanate from these markets annually as executives buy and sell animation shows, drama series, films, documentaries, non-fiction formats, digital content, explore emerging formats such as ultra HD (these days), paper formats, do co-production deals, and so on.

     

    And to propagate this message further and to connect with India’s vibrant content creation industry, indiantelevision.com CEO and MipTV, MipCom and Midem representative Anil Wanvari has been going on a whistle stop tour covering three of the major broadcast and content ecosystem cities of Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai, along with Reed Midem director marketing development Ted Baracos and Asia sales manager Paul Barbaro.

     

    The Delhi-leg of the road show culminated on 22 July and was extremely well attended by a clutch of animation entrepreneurs, documentary producers, broadcasters, digital content creators, distributors, film producers.

     

    Says long time Mipmarkets attendee TigerBells Animation founder Vivek Kalyan: “It was fabulous to have an interaction with Ted, Paul, and Anil and learn how we as content creators can further our prospects globally.”

     

    Adds independent documentary producer Pankaj Saxena: “It’s great that we had such a stimulating workshop. We are looking forward to such future interactions so we can create the right strategy to allow our content to leave a stamp on the world.”

     

    An interaction with close to 100 content creators and distributors is planned for Hyderabad later this evening. And another one for Saturday 27 July at 7 p.m. in Mumbai.