Mipcom showcases premium drama

A record number of delegates flocked to Cannes for the 31st edition of Mipcom this week, with premium drama the hottest genre.

John Hurt in The Last Panthers

More than 13,700 delegates from 108 countries, including more than 4,800 acquisition execs – of which 1,600 were acquiring for digital platforms – gathered for the annual conference.

MipJunior opened proceedings by welcoming 590 buyers among its 1,400 delegates, many of whom watched a World Premiere TV Screening of Cyber Group Studios’ Zorro: The Chronicles and a packed keynote address from Hasbro Studios president Stephen Davis.

High-end drama took centre stage in Cannes, helped by strong demand from international broadcasters and new platforms, according to organiser Reed Midem.

Among the screenings were Sony Pictures Television’s 10-episode drama The Art of More and Sky Atlantic/Canal+’s The Last Panthers. Delegates also queued for the screening of the X-Files reboot and watched footage of the BBC and Harvey Weinstein’s miniseries War & Peace.

Other major dramas present at Mipcom included Showtime’s world premiere of contemporary drama Billions and Endemol Shine International’s The Frankenstein Chronicles, while Passion Distribution brought new ITV primetime TV movie Churchill’s Secret to Cannes.

Laurine Garaude

ITV Studios Global Entertainment also premiered the first episode of epic fantasy adventure Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands and Constantin Film unveiled Shadowhunters, which will air on ABC early next year.

“The demand for premium drama was reflected by the packed World Premiere TV Screenings and the major series that were brought to Mipcom,” said Laurine Garaude, director of Reed Midem’s television division.

“The inaugural MipDrama Screenings next year at MipTV will allow some 250 international buyers to get exclusive access to the best and latest drama in the market and further develops MipTV and Mipcom as launching pads for major international drama.”

In addition, Mipcom’s country of honour, Turkey, showcased its best series with an opening night party and observers compared the country’s lavish dramas with the recent international success of Israeli fiction.

Mipcom also honoured Fox TV Group’s Dana Walden and Gary Newman as its Personalities of the Year.

The annual conference opened as usual on Monday morning despite the lethal flash floods that swept through the town over the weekend.

Reed Midem CEO Paul Zilk said: “Our clients showed remarkable understanding and with their help, coupled with that of the Palais des Festivals, the mayor’s office and all our Cannes partners, Mipcom took place with a minimum of disruption.

“Our thoughts are with all those who were affected by this terrible event.”