ZDF Studios' chief commercial officer Tim Gerhartz tells C21 how the German distributor is pairing trusted festive brands with fresh titles such as Grand Hotel by the Sea as digital platforms reshape the market.

Larry Grimaldi explains why holiday programming is a franchise in its own right and looks at the nine Christmas movies Fox Entertainment Studios has lined up this year, as it eyes international commissions for 2027.

RENDEZ-VOUS: French documentary distributor Incognita Distribution has secured broadcast deals in four territories for its forthcoming two-part documentary Fire from the Skies: Britain's Bombing War, commissioned by Arte France.

RENDEZ-VOUS: Speaking here in Le Havre as CNC and Unifrance revealed a 21.6% fall in French audiovisual export sales, distributors across fiction, animation and documentary broke down where the pain is concentrated – and how they are trying to hold the line.

RENEDEZ-VOUS: France's producer and distributor unions will join the Centre National du Cinéma et de l'Image Animée at an industry-wide conference this autumn to address the country's 22% audiovisual export slump, revealed yesterday.

RENDEZ-VOUS: Last year was not a good one for French audiovisual exports, according to data revealed today in Le Havre. But Unifrance CEO Daniela Elstner says the figures have been hit by streamers taking global rights – a problem that is not specific to France.

RENDEZ-VOUS: International sales of French audiovisual programmes slumped to €164.2m (US$141.3m) in 2025, a decline of 21.6% on 2024 and their lowest level in 10 years, according to figures released today by CNC and Unifrance.

Rendez-Vous in Le Havre kicks off today and delegates will catch a glimpse of a slate of new drama titles being unveiled by France TV Distribution, including its latest entry into the ‘light crime’ genre and a serial killer drama that has HBO Max attached.

Hallmark is expanding its Countdown to Christmas movie slate by 10 titles this year, betting on brand partnerships, a returning cast of familiar faces and a calendar that now stretches from mid-October to mid-December. Darren Melameth, the company's senior VP of programming and content strategy, explains the approach.

EO Media treats Christmas and holiday movies as a strategic, complementary slate rather than a seasonal sideline. Founder Ezequiel Olzanski explains why he wants audiences watching them all year round and discusses the potential crossover with microdramas.