International buyers in Cannes for inaugural factual showcase

MIPTV is launching a new premium showcase for factual TV buyers as part of MIPTV Super Sunday — the start of the biggest week in unscripted programming in the TV calendar. The MIPDOC International Buyer Screenings will offer key decision-makers an exclusive first-look at a curated selection of non-scripted projects being launched at MIPTV.

The programme comprises up to 10 highly anticipated productions that will be presented in 10- to 15-minute extracts in front of factual content buyers from around the world. International rights are available on all of the featured projects. After the screenings, buyers will vote for their favourite programme and the winning participant will be awarded the prestigious Buyer’s Coup de Coeur. Among the 10 titles on show, four are from France, two from Germany with the balance from the UK, Spain, Netherlands and Sweden. The shows in question cover the full

The MIPDOC International Buyer Screenings

… on Sunday, April 16, in the Debussy Theatre from 15.00 to 18.00 spectrum of factual including history, science, art, wildlife, true crime and current affairs investigations. The companies involved in the event are: Abacus Media Rights, About Premium Content, Albatross World Sales, ARTE Distribution, Autentic, Cabal Films, Federation International, Mediawan Rights, Off the Fence and Swedish pubcaster SVT.

Preselection for the event was handled by a jury of four leading international industry figures: PBS Distribution commissioning editor, content Tracy Beckett; American Public Television vice-president, syndication and premium service Dan Soles; ITV Studios senior vice-president, global content, non-scripted, Cecilie Olsen; and The Bridge CEO Amanda Groom, an industry consultant.

Speaking to the MIPTV Magazine, Soles said he was “honoured to be part of the jury this year. There were many outstanding trailers from various genres. It was impressive to see how many engaging productions are coming from diverse sources that span the world.”

While the jury’s role is to share its expertise with buyers, Soles said exposure to such a broad array of productions is also a good learning experience: “Seeing so many well-crafted works will help broaden my search to acquire strong programming,” he said.

The screenings will be followed by a cocktail sponsored by Paramount Global Content Distribution (PGCD). As part of its collaboration with the MIPDOC International Buyer Screenings event, PGCD is also showcasing a true crime/sports hybrid called Catching Lightning. A four-part Showtime Original series, this rip-roaring production tells the story of ‘Lightning’ Lee Murray, a UFC fighter who nearly pulled off one of the biggest bank robberies in history. The new MIPDOC Screenings event is moderated by Beatrice Rossmanith, managing director of Glance-based Tape Consultancy. Prior to the screening, Rossmanith will give an overview of the key documentary commissioning trends both in terms of storytelling and business model. This short introductory session will aim to provide the factual community with practical insights into this increasingly complex content ecosystem. 2023 is shaping up as a good year for the factual production sector. With the cost of scripted series escalating, non-scripted is re-emerging as a high-quality, lower-priced alternative.

The MIPDOC International Buyer Screenings:

Cactus Hotel (Albatross World Sales)

A Cold War Of Spies (Autentic)

The Rise Of Wagner (Mediawan Rights)

The Singh Case: A Long Journey To The Truth (APC)

The First Inventors (Abacus Media Rights)

The Caravan (Cabal Films) Blue Carbon (Off the Fence)

The Vatican (Federation International) Prison Project ‘Little Scandinavia’ (STV)

Nicole Kidman, Eyes Wide Open (ARTE Distribution)

MIPDOC SPOTLIGHT: Catching Lightning (Paramount Global Content Distribution)

Co-Production Summit

… on Monday, April 17, in the Marguerite, Riviera 8, from 10.45 to 12.30.

By invitation