As a seasoned movie critic with a keen eye for international cinema, I must say that the 30th edition of Unifrance Rendez-Vous market in Le Havre is shaping up to be quite the event! With the global interest in French productions on the rise, it’s clear that this gathering of industry professionals will not only showcase some exceptional programming but also foster valuable connections and opportunities.
For the first time, the global stage is set as the 30th edition of the Unifrance Rendez-Vous market begins in Le Havre, a city in France, with an influx of international buyers eager to partake in the ever-expanding French film production across all genres.
In the previous year, approximately 200 international purchasers from around 40 different nations, as well as 58 French sales firms, participated in the event called Rendez-Vous. The organizers anticipate a comparable number of attendees for this year’s edition.
In a conversation with EbMaster, Gilles Pélisson, president of Unifrance, and Daniela Elstner, its executive director, discuss the current trends, underscoring the importance of this year’s event for the industry, and highlighting the expanding global influence of French content across various genres, including high-end dramas, animation, and documentaries.
Despite a trend among international broadcasters to reduce original content, French productions are thriving across various genres, as Pélisson emphasizes.
“Over the past few years, French production has consistently expanded, particularly in the realm of fiction. Animation remains a significant strength and is expected to endure, as demonstrated by its appearance at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics with the Minions. In terms of documentaries, they captivate international buyers and play a crucial role in programming during Rendez-Vous. The rich variety of French programs allows for sales not only to streaming platforms but also to various broadcasting entities.”
Pélisson notes that due to the European Union’s Audiovisual Media Services Directive, many streaming platforms are seeking out European content. This directive requires streamers in EU member states to provide at least 30% of their content from Europe. While it’s too soon to definitively say, we may observe the effects of this rule in the future.
Unifrance will announce exact industry figures for 2023 during the Rendez-Vous.
2021 market standouts feature “Zorro” by France Télévisions, starring Jean Dujardin; “Ça, c’est Paris,” a Federation Studios production about a theater director attempting to revive a once-famous cabaret; the cop show “Tom & Lola,” distributed by Mediawan; the mystery drama “The Eclipse,” from About Premium Content; and the animated documentary series “The Legends of Paris: a Tale of the 19th Century Artistic Scene,” provided by ARTE Distribution.
Television productions continue to captivate filmmakers and performers with their enduring allure, showcasing their capacity for creating top-tier content.
Over the past while, Unifrance combined their two prior organizations – TV and cinema – about three years ago, as Elstner points out. This merger gives us more strength because we can now provide a comprehensive promotion to all our members. We’re better equipped to address the requirements of French artists, as well as international distributors and producers.
“In this manner, we’ve expanded promotional efforts for our programs during the Rendez-Vous. We’re planning a Gala screening attended by the director, scriptwriter, and cast, and we’ll utilize various social media platforms to create unique experiences. ‘Ca, c’est Paris’ will be our featured Gala Screening, while ‘Zorro’ is scheduled for the closing night. This promotional work carries on throughout the year. Later in October this year, Unifrance will host special events celebrating World Animation Day. MyFrenchAnimationDays (MyFAD) will showcase French animation series and films, with ‘The Legends of Paris,’ an animated documentary series, being part of it.”
The Rendez-Vous is also helping French content makers find new buyers and new markets.
Pelisson remarks that last year marked his debut at the Rendez-Vous. He observed that the event provides a tremendous chance for all participants. For an international distributor, four days within a sort of focused environment with buyers intent on French programs offers fresh contacts and possibilities. In conventional markets, one doesn’t always have the opportunity to converse with everyone. Additionally, during the Rendez-Vous, buyers share insights among themselves. If they appreciate a program, they might recommend it to another country’s buyer for screening. Word of mouth is vital in this context and opens new opportunities for French productions.
The market is expanding its scope despite recent challenges, Elstner says.
“At Rendez-Vous Unifrance Le Havre, we extend invitations worldwide to potential buyers. In light of post-pandemic challenges, such as travel limitations due to environmental concerns, our proximity to Paris and ease of access via local train have been crucial factors in our relocation from Biarritz to Le Havre. Notably, we’ve seen a surge of new attendees, particularly from the United States and Asia.”
“Pélisson notes that our primary markets have historically been located in Europe. However, the U.S. has emerged as a significant ally, particularly in terms of fiction. The Rendez-Vous gathers buyers from major pay and free TV broadcasters across Europe. This year, we’re thrilled to welcome some new participants from Latin America and Asia.”
“Pélisson highlights that for the 2024 Rendez-Vous, Unifrance is introducing a fresh venue, made possible by the tremendous cooperation of Le Havre city and Normandy region. Each night will feature a distinct location, which we hope will bring new possibilities for various French programs.”
Approximately 40 different regions will be participating, along with roughly 200 purchasers, much like the previous year’s event.
As a cinephile, I’m thrilled to be here in Le Havre for the very first time, tackling fresh challenges head-on. With an impressive lineup of more than a thousand films to showcase, I’m optimistic that this festival will leave a lasting impression on every attendee.
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2024-09-02 13:18