Rome MIA Market Kicks Off With Rich Roster of Projects, Panels and Prominent Global Execs

As an ardent follower of the global audiovisual industry and its intricate tapestry of stories, I find myself deeply captivated by the 10th edition of Rome’s MIA Market. The event, which serves as a vibrant melting pot for international TV series, animation, feature films, and documentaries, has always been a beacon of innovation and adaptability in an ever-evolving industry landscape.


As a film enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that the 10th edition of Rome’s MIA Market, focusing on international TV series, animation, feature films, and documentaries, officially commenced this week! Over 60 projects hailing from an impressive 90 countries are set to make their debut, offering a fantastic opportunity for potential collaborators.

The October 14-18 event prior to Mipcom (commemorating its tenth year) will maintain its groundbreaking market approach by adjusting to current industry transformations. This event will also offer a variety of discussions and keynote speakers, aiming to gauge the global industry’s health at a time when business models are evolving and co-productions have grown increasingly important.

Previously, EbMaster had shared that our keynote speakers this year are Katherine Pope from Sony Pictures Television Studios, known for producing global hits like “The Last of Us”; Clayton Townsend, producer of the series “Ripley”; and Odessa Rae, a Canadian-American producer who played a significant role in creating the Oscar-winning documentary “Navalny” about the late Russian dissident.

Ed Havard, currently serving as the Senior Vice President for Unscripted Programming at Universal International Studios, and Monica Rodman, Executive Vice President of Development at Universal Television Alternative Studio, will travel to Rome for a discussion centered around the future of unscripted content. The panel, specifically focusing on the European TV production market, is where they’ll be sharing their insights.

Typically, sales businesses have established their stands at Palazzo Barberini, not just known as Italy’s National Gallery of Ancient Art but also serving as the central market’s primary hub.

The International Audiovisual Market (MIA), led by Gaia Tridente, has been taken aback by the number of projects they’ve received this year. In contrast to approximately 500 submissions from last year, they have received around 600 applications for co-productions this time.

She pointed out that “many creators are actively working on creating fresh narratives,” which is also true for “streaming platforms as they make various financial commitments.” Furthermore, “producers are requesting more control over their series’ rights.” This setup, she suggested, provides a solid foundation for acquiring larger budgets through collaborative production efforts.

As a fan, I’m thrilled to share that some exceptional TV series have been selected for MIA, among them is the U.S.-Japan collaboration titled “The Aosawa Murders.” This gripping tale is inspired by Riku Onda’s book about the 1973 murder mystery involving seventeen individuals who tragically consumed poisoned sake and soft drinks sent as a gift to the affluent Aosawa family. The production of this series is being handled by Takeo Kodera from Kadokawa Corporation and Jonathan Kier, former president of Sierra/Affinity, now leading Upgrade Productions based in Los Angeles.

Among the films looking for collaborators at MIA are two productions: “Fish,” a fantasy film set in Venice directed by Carlo S. Hintermann, whose first film “The Book of Vision” premiered at the Venice Critics’ Week in 2020; and “The Place of Eternal Summer,” a coming-of-age drama set in Sicily, which marks the directorial debut of accomplished Italian screenwriter Maddalena Ravagli known for “Gomorrah.

The array of animation projects showcased features “Gainsbourg: Rue De Verneuil,” a movie chronicling the life of renowned French singer-songwriter Serge Gainsbourg. This production is the work of France’s Logical Pictures and their distribution arm, The Jokers Lab.

This year, a new attraction is the MIA XR exhibit showcasing interactive and virtual reality pieces. It boasts 13 different projects, with six of them being debuted for the first time worldwide.

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2024-10-14 17:46