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Tag: MIPJunior

  • MIPCOM Cannes 2025 puts creators centre stage

    MIPCOM Cannes 2025 puts creators centre stage

    PARIS: Mipcom Cannes is recasting itself as the global meeting ground for the creator economy, unveiling a 13–16 October programme that director Lucy Smith calls “the biggest generational shift the market has ever seen”. She declared the creator economy “no longer emerging—it’s arrived”, signalling a fresh era for storytelling, distribution and monetisation.

    The scale remains vast: organisers expect more than 10,500 delegates from over 100 countries to pack the Palais des Festivals and surrounding beachfront. Joining the traditional powerhouses—Disney, Warner Bros Discovery, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Paramount Global, Banijay, BBC Studios, ZDF Studios and ITV Studios—are creator-led platforms and digital natives such as YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, Dhar Mann Studios, Tubi, Samsung TV Plus and Luma AI. Big advertisers and agencies including Mattel, Toys“R”Us, Ancestry, Dentsu and McCann are coming to broker brand-funded projects.

    YouTube mounts its most ambitious presence yet: a dedicated space on the Croisette, daily workshops and a headline keynote with EMEA vice-president Pedro Pina and BBC Studios digital chief Jasmine Dawson in conversation with industry analyst Evan Shapiro. The rebadged MIP Creative Hub—formerly the Producers Hub—will host four days of matchmaking between creators, studios and brands.

    Fresh summits aim to blur the lines between TV, tech and social platforms. The BrandStorytelling Summit, imported from Sundance, will showcase how advertisers and digital talent collaborate on narrative campaigns. The Innovation Lab expands with an AI summit and new demo areas for cloud production, virtual sets and immersive formats. Panels will dissect monetisation models from Fast and AVoD to direct-to-fan subscriptions.

    MIPJunior, the kids’ pre-market on 11–12 October, moves into the Palais for the first time, offering dedicated matchmaking and a premiere of Ki & Hi in the Panda Kingdom, based on Kevin Tran’s best-selling manga.
    High-wattage speakers include Mattel Studios president Robbie Brenner, Banijay chief Marco Bassetti, Mediawan Pictures CEO Elisabeth d’Arvieu and Toys“R”Us CMO Kim Miller Olko, alongside creators Callum “Callux” McGinley and Dhar Mann. World premieres on the main stage feature Paramount’s Boston Blue, ZDF’s Ku’damm 77 and a Sony preview of The Miniature Wife, with cast members Donnie Wahlberg, Sonequa Martin-Green and Matthew Macfadyen expected.

    By weaving creators into every strand—from keynotes to co-production hubs—MIPCOM is betting that the next wave of global television will be forged as much by YouTubers and TikTokers as by Hollywood studios. The 2025 edition aims to prove that the Croisette can be the crossroads where legacy broadcasters and digital disruptors strike their biggest deals yet.

  • MIPJUNIOR 2025 Reinvents Itself with Global Premiere of ‘Ki&Hi’

    MIPJUNIOR 2025 Reinvents Itself with Global Premiere of ‘Ki&Hi’

    MUMBAI: The world of children’s entertainment is gearing up for a major reset this October as MIPJUNIOR returns with a sweeping new format and a showstopper world premiere to headline its reimagined edition. Timed just ahead of MIPCOM, the 2025 event promises a sharper, more creator-driven experience that blends deal-making with cultural momentum—turning the Palais des Festivals into a hub for the future of kids’ content.

    At the center of this transformation is the global debut of Ki&Hi in the Panda Kingdom, a 52-episode anime comedy adapted from French YouTube creator Kevin Tran’s bestselling manga. Produced by Mediawan Kids & Family’s Method Animation (Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir), Drawsome Studios, and Belvision, the series follows two endlessly squabbling brothers in a whimsical fantasy setting tailored to 6–10-year-olds. Its Canal+ launch later this year will mark one of the first times a true anime-style series has been developed natively for a young European audience.

    Tran, who boasts a following of 5.6 million online, has already generated strong buzz for the project, blending digital creator energy with broadcast-scale ambition. For MIPJUNIOR, the premiere is more
    than a debut—it’s a statement of intent.

    “This is a makeover with a mission,” said Lucy Smith, Director of MIPCOM CANNES and MIPJUNIOR. “Kids’ content is driving wider media trends. We’re giving creators, platforms, and partners a space to unlock new models and spark fresh collaborations.”

    The 2025 edition will debut the Gare Maritime as a networking and pitch arena, allowing creators and producers to connect directly with buyers, gaming companies, publishers, and brand studios from 60+ countries. With more than 900 delegates expected, MIPJUNIOR is positioning itself not just as a preview event, but as a launchpad for globally relevant IP.

    For Julien Borde, President of Mediawan Kids & Family, Ki&Hi underscores the shift: “We’re filling a gap with something truly original. It’s an anime with a caring, authentic voice that reflects real sibling dynamics—funny, emotional, and age-appropriate.”

    Programming across the two-day event will center on storytelling that travels—across borders, formats, and platforms. Sessions will spotlight the creator economy, hybrid production models, and the
    growing influence of digital-native stars. The shift comes as broadcasters, streamers, and IP owners look for new ways to cut through in an attention-fragmented market.

    But the heart of the event remains storytelling—refreshed, diverse, and platform-fluid. By turning Ki&Hi into a symbol of its new direction, MIPJUNIOR signals it’s no longer just about what kids watch, but how and where they engage. For those converging on Cannes, the message is clear: kids’ content isn’t just evolving. It’s accelerating.

    (If you are an Anime fan and love Anime like Demon Slayer, Spy X Family, Hunter X Hunter, Tokyo Revengers, Dan Da Dan and Slime, Buy your favourite Anime merchandise on AnimeOriginals.com.)
     

  • BrandStorytelling and Mipcom Cannes ink deal to deep dive into branded content

    BrandStorytelling and Mipcom Cannes ink deal to deep dive into branded content

    MUMBAI:  Hold onto your monocles, folks, because a rather smashing partnership has just been announced that’s set to shake up the world of television and streaming content. BrandStorytelling, the doyen of brand-funded programming, is  teaming up with the illustrious Mipcom Cannes 2025 for a first-of-its-kind summit on the French Riviera this October.

    For a decade, BrandStorytelling, under the astute direction of producer, publisher, and media entrepreneur Rick Parkhill, has been charming the Sundance Film Festival with its ground breaking summits, nurturing the art of brand-funded narratives. Its  latest January shindig in Park City, Utah, saw a grand gathering of over 450 industry glitterati, including global brands like Ancestry, L’Oréal Paris, and PepsiCo, alongside platform giants such as WBD, Meta, and YouTube, and even content creators like Sean Evans and the dynamic duo Rhett & Link. They all converged to showcase the finest case studies and strategies for crafting stories that truly boost brand affinity and growth.

    Now, the show is coming to Cannes! A jointly programmed, two-day summit will unfold at the Palais des Festivals across Monday, 13 October, and Tuesday, 14 October. This will be a veritable melting pot for brands, content creators, and television creatives, all with the noble aim of conceiving, producing, and financing fresh, brand-led stories. Expect a whirlwind of showcases, networking opportunities, and, crucially, deal-making – because in this business, it’s all about the quid pro quo. Further tantalising details are set to be unveiled in the coming weeks and months.

    Mipcom Cannes & Mip Junior director Lucy Smith waxed lyrical about the new venture: “Brands are sashaying beyond traditional advertising, stepping up as bona fide storytellers, both churning out and commissioning their very own series across every genre imaginable.” She added, with a flourish, “This partnership immediately delivers a one-stop-shop for brands, brand studios, and agencies to rub shoulders with over 10,000 entertainment executives from over 100 countries. In turn, it conjures up fresh opportunities for new funding, co-production, and distribution deals for producers and platforms. As the world’s largest content and co-production market, the time is right to create a home for brands at Mipcom Cannes.”

    Rick Parkhill, never one to be outdone, chimed in, “Brands are increasingly pulling the strings behind some of the biggest stories gracing our screens internationally. Mipcom Cannes  is the unmissable global television market, which makes it the ideal partner and business platform for brands to further integrate into the global content ecosystem, alongside the biggest studios and television companies from around the world. This two-day international summit will explore novel ways to connect, collaborate, and celebrate the ever-evolving landscape of brand-funded content.”

    And for those who can’t get enough of this brand-fuelled bonanza, BrandStorytelling also stages ‘Elevate’ at Sundance Mountain Resort. This annual summer retreat, strictly limited to a mere 125 participants, returns from 14-17 July, 2025, promising three days of workshops, screenings, keynote presentations, and an abundance of networking, collaboration, and deal-making opportunities.

    Mipcom Cannes, for its part, continues to reign as the world’s biggest and most impactful television and streaming content market, having drawn over 10,500 delegates from more than 100 countries last year. Its week-long programme is nothing short of a defining moment for the TV industry each year.

  • Kansai TV’s Elpis to be screened at content marketplace, Mipcom Cannes

    Kansai TV’s Elpis to be screened at content marketplace, Mipcom Cannes

    Mumbai: RX France and Kansai TV have announced that event series Elpis will be this year’s Asian World Premiere at the entertainment content marketplace, Mipcom Cannes. It takes place in Cannes, France next month.

    The event will take place on 18 October. The premiere screening will be followed by Q&A with cast member Toko Miura (star of 2021 Best Foreign Language Academy Award winner “Drive My Car”) and producer Ayumi Sano (My Dear Exes, “Quartet”).

    Inspired by multiple true cases of false accusations, Elpis follows Ena Asakawa (Nagasawa), a former network anchor whose star has faded due to scandal and now helms a late-night, less-formal magazine show. Under-rated and rookie director Takuro Kishimoto (Gordon Maeda) begins to doubt a death row conviction, which, together with Asakawa, make-up artist Cherry (Miura), and star reporter Shouichi Saito (Ryohei Suzuki), they investigate and unravel as a state-wide conspiracy to cover-up.

    Kansai TV executive managing director Miho Okada said, “Though it deals with a serious issue, Elpis has darkly comedic dialogues along with a plot that will pack an emotional punch for viewers. We are very proud of what the amazing production team and performers have created, and to share it first in Cannes with our global industry is a privilege. We believe it is a show that will surprise people in Japan and internationally this fall.”

    Mipcom Cannes & MipJunior director Lucy Smith said, “The global appetite for authentic, authored international drama has never been stronger. The standard has also never been higher, with Elpis yet another exceptional example. We are thrilled to stage it and to bring the tradition of the Asian World Premiere back to its full strength.”

  • Over 200 exhibitors to participate at Mipcom Cannes 2022

    Over 200 exhibitors to participate at Mipcom Cannes 2022

    Mumbai: Over 200 exhibitors from 30 countries have already booked stand space for the world’s entertainment content market Mipcom Cannes 2022. The majority of returning exhibitors are back to their pre-pandemic booth sizes or larger, bolstered by the re-opening of major outdoor stands on the Croisette beach and surrounding the Palais des Festivals. The demand for exhibit space affirms a strong content sales and acquisitions climate supported by buyers and sellers to return to in-person international business meetings.

    RX France (formerly Reed Midem) has also announced plans to launch a new International co-production market alongside the exhibition in the Palais des Festivals dedicated to accelerating international co-production and development business in Cannes. Billed as ‘the mother of all entertainment content markets’, the 38th edition takes place from 17-20 October 2022 in the Palais des Festivals. MipJunior returns to its pre-market weekend schedule from 15-16 October at the JW Marriott Cannes.

    Also new for 2022 is ‘The Seaview Producers Hub’, an inaugural 1000 SQM (10,673 SQFT) networking lounge and event space, set against the backdrop of Cannes’ iconic sea view and introduced to reflect the increased focus at the market for exploring early-stage development and co-production partnerships.

    Created to be the base of the new co-production market at MIPCOM, the supersized Seaview Producers Hub will feature a lounge with indoor and outdoor seating to accommodate hundreds of daily meetings prioritised for creators, producers, commissioners, and development executives. The Seaview stage and curated areas will support the co-production programme and daily events. The Mipcom Seaview Producers Hub aims to become the annual business hive and fresh hang out point in Cannes for producers and everyone involved in co-productions worldwide, serving as a catalyst for international deal-making in the heart of the Palais des Festivals.

    RX France Entertainment Division director Lucy Smith said, “2022 is undoubtedly the comeback year for Mipcom Cannes. A healthy set of confirmations four months out from the market, with more being added daily, demonstrates the huge appetite for the return of a full strength Mipcom. And, unhampered by last year’s travel restrictions, to meet increased demand we have a supersized edition planned for this October in Cannes. More to come over the coming months. Watch this space!”

    Companies confirmed to exhibit to date include Zee Entertainment, All3Media International, AMC Studios,  Keshet International, Lionsgate, Mattel, NBCUniversal International, Netflix, Warner Bros. International Television Distribution, WildBrain and ZDF Studios.

  • Mipcom Cannes 2022 launches new co-production market alongside exhibition

    Mipcom Cannes 2022 launches new co-production market alongside exhibition

    Mumbai: RX France, formerly Reed Midem, on Tuesday confirmed a robust first raft of stand bookings for Mipcom Cannes 2022, whilst announcing plans to launch a new international c0-production market alongside the exhibition in the Palais des Festivals dedicated to accelerating international co-production and development business in Cannes.

    Billed as ‘the mother of all entertainment content markets’, the 38th Mipcom Cannes takes place 17-20 October in the Palais des Festivals. Mipjunior returns to its pre-market weekend schedule 15-16 October at the JW Marriott Cannes.

    To date, more than 200+ exhibitors from 30 countries have already booked stand space for the October entertainment content market, with the majority of returning exhibitors back to their pre-pandemic booth sizes or larger, bolstered by the re-opening of major outdoor stands on the Croisette beach and surrounding the Palais des Festivals. The robust demand for exhibit space affirms a strong content sales and acquisitions climate supported by an overwhelming sentiment by buyers and sellers to return to in-person international business meetings.

    Also new for 2022 is ‘The Seaview Producers Hub’, an inaugural 1000 SQM (10,673 sq. ft.) networking lounge and event space, set against the backdrop of Cannes’ iconic sea view and introduced to reflect the increased focus at the market for exploring early-stage development and co-production partnerships.

    RX France Entertainment division director Lucy Smith said, “2022 is undoubtedly the comeback year for Mipcom Cannes. A healthy set of confirmations four months out from the market, with more being added daily, demonstrates the huge appetite for the return of a full strength Mipcom. And, unhampered by last year’s travel restrictions, to meet increased demand we have a supersized edition planned for this October in Cannes. More to come over the coming months.”

  • MIPCOM 2016 sets new records

    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.

  • MIPCOM 2016 sets new records

    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.

  • ‘Quality storytelling’ and ‘diversity,’ the key areas channels and platforms look for

    ‘Quality storytelling’ and ‘diversity,’ the key areas channels and platforms look for

    CANNES: It’s long been a question in the minds of content creators and distributors: “What do channels and platforms want?” With the advent of digital, the confusion has just increased as the content working on linear programming might not be suitable for the non-linear one. To address this was the session at MIPJunior with four programming executives from around the world who in a lively discussion spoke about acquisition trends and offered their perspectives on how to spot hit shows and offer content to young viewers on multiple platforms.

    The speakers included: CANAL+ Group director of Youth unit Laurence Blaevoet, Disney XD SVP and general manager Marc Buhaj, CBBC Productions creative director, scripted, animation and co-productions Sarah Muller and Amazon Studios head of kids’ programming Tara Sorensen.

    With Amazon entering the digital media platform quite late after its competitors it was necessary for it to stand out and to do so, it focused on pre-school curriculum. “On our platform, we encourage kids to stop, reverse programs and keep going back and forth,” said Sorenson. CBBC on the other hand focuses on older children as well. Explained Muller, “We have content right from hard hitting documentaries to sports coverage to original drama and animation series.”

    “If you ask me how different is Disney XD from Disney, let’s start by saying that they are two different names,” laughed Buhaj. “Disney XD is more of a laboratory where we try things out with the content. Primarily it was focused on boys, but now there’s a focus on girls too.”

    All the panelists agreed that while looking for content, quality storytelling is what they search for. CANAL+’s theme is universal and is mostly on love and friendship whereas BBC co-produces shows only for the UK market, which later might become international hits, for instance *Harry Potter. Disney on the other hand finalises the shows after listening to all the ideas from various partners. Any content that has good quality and can be transcended into humour works well. Buhaj accepted that they never thought kids would enjoy *High School Musical* but eventually the key to its success was the way it was executed.

    And the key to have a successful show is “diversity”. Muller said: “At BBC, the success of a show lies in both the front and the centre. Behind the scenes work is equally important as writers from different backgrounds have different set of stories.”

    Buhaj added that they work hard to get variety in their content. It is important to be interesting whereas Sorensen mentioned how the show *American Girl’s is women-led – the director, writer, all are women and though it was the director’s first project, they were ready to take the risk which took off quite well due to the fact that the audience could connect with it.

    And finally the panelists revealed what each of them is looking for at MIP. Amazon Studios is hunting for content with a unique perspective and is also thinking about adult customers. Sorenson is definitely not looking for short form content (more than 11 minutes would do) and reality programming. Blaevoet mentioned that while pitching for your content, one should have creative content and be passionate about it and have fun while pitching. With a great story, Buhaj says he would like if the seller turns the table around by asking them “Why Disney would be good partner for us?” Lastly, Muller goes on to mention that it’s necessary to do your research and understand what you are pitching to whom.

  • ‘Quality storytelling’ and ‘diversity,’ the key areas channels and platforms look for

    ‘Quality storytelling’ and ‘diversity,’ the key areas channels and platforms look for

    CANNES: It’s long been a question in the minds of content creators and distributors: “What do channels and platforms want?” With the advent of digital, the confusion has just increased as the content working on linear programming might not be suitable for the non-linear one. To address this was the session at MIPJunior with four programming executives from around the world who in a lively discussion spoke about acquisition trends and offered their perspectives on how to spot hit shows and offer content to young viewers on multiple platforms.

    The speakers included: CANAL+ Group director of Youth unit Laurence Blaevoet, Disney XD SVP and general manager Marc Buhaj, CBBC Productions creative director, scripted, animation and co-productions Sarah Muller and Amazon Studios head of kids’ programming Tara Sorensen.

    With Amazon entering the digital media platform quite late after its competitors it was necessary for it to stand out and to do so, it focused on pre-school curriculum. “On our platform, we encourage kids to stop, reverse programs and keep going back and forth,” said Sorenson. CBBC on the other hand focuses on older children as well. Explained Muller, “We have content right from hard hitting documentaries to sports coverage to original drama and animation series.”

    “If you ask me how different is Disney XD from Disney, let’s start by saying that they are two different names,” laughed Buhaj. “Disney XD is more of a laboratory where we try things out with the content. Primarily it was focused on boys, but now there’s a focus on girls too.”

    All the panelists agreed that while looking for content, quality storytelling is what they search for. CANAL+’s theme is universal and is mostly on love and friendship whereas BBC co-produces shows only for the UK market, which later might become international hits, for instance *Harry Potter. Disney on the other hand finalises the shows after listening to all the ideas from various partners. Any content that has good quality and can be transcended into humour works well. Buhaj accepted that they never thought kids would enjoy *High School Musical* but eventually the key to its success was the way it was executed.

    And the key to have a successful show is “diversity”. Muller said: “At BBC, the success of a show lies in both the front and the centre. Behind the scenes work is equally important as writers from different backgrounds have different set of stories.”

    Buhaj added that they work hard to get variety in their content. It is important to be interesting whereas Sorensen mentioned how the show *American Girl’s is women-led – the director, writer, all are women and though it was the director’s first project, they were ready to take the risk which took off quite well due to the fact that the audience could connect with it.

    And finally the panelists revealed what each of them is looking for at MIP. Amazon Studios is hunting for content with a unique perspective and is also thinking about adult customers. Sorenson is definitely not looking for short form content (more than 11 minutes would do) and reality programming. Blaevoet mentioned that while pitching for your content, one should have creative content and be passionate about it and have fun while pitching. With a great story, Buhaj says he would like if the seller turns the table around by asking them “Why Disney would be good partner for us?” Lastly, Muller goes on to mention that it’s necessary to do your research and understand what you are pitching to whom.