Videoage International October 2021

24 V I D E O A G E October 2021 (Continued from Page 22) and pan-European buyers joining MIPCOM this year.” Finally on the subject of COVID requirements, she added, “Since the pandemic, we’ve learned to become even more efficient and innovative in how we do business and stay connected with buyers. The only difference now is that we’re conducting business with a mask on.” Also from Los Angeles was Film Bridge International’s Benan Guz: “We will be taking the meetings virtually at MIPCOM instead of attending physically. We used to attend the Cannes Film Festival, the EFM, the Toronto Film Festival, and the AFM every year and occasionally the MIPs before the pandemic. We were planning to take our place at the AFM until it was announced that it will be virtual this year. We are looking forward to meeting our clients face to face in Berlin [next February].” From Moscow, Kseniya Kalistratova, head of Sales at Star Media Film, will also be taking meetings online since Russia’s vaccines are not recognized by the E.U. She explained: “Of course, all of us want to return to the usual format as face- to-face meetings bear a totally different energy, but we are not standing still even in the new reality and find new routes and opportunities regardless of any restrictions.” And, she added, “After the shift to online, we have managed to adapt and learned to keep doing business with regard to the new reality, and found new directions for development and monetization.” Moving from Cannes to Cancun, in Mexico, 30 exhibitors from 10 countries will meet up at MIP Cancun with 75 buyers from 14 countries in Latin America, plus the U.S. and Jamaica (as of mid-September). This is not a large contingent compared to past editions, however it is commendable considering that it is the first in-person MIP Cancun event since 2019, and that many TV executives are still under travel restrictions. In Cancun, the country with the largest number of exhibitors is the U.S., followed by Argentina, Turkey, and Russia. On the buyers’ COVID is developing in the coming weeks the turnout still may decline — or, in the best case scenario — increase at a moment’s notice.” Poorhouse International’s Moritz mused: “We all agree that the Cannes markets are important. If we have no in-person MIPCOM for two years, I am afraid we might never have one again. My company [RMCreative/Poorhouse International] is therefore going, and I hope many more will do so too. With our music and arts catalog, we mainly aim at broadcasters. Fortunately, there will be a few of them there. As of mid-September, we see strong attendance from Germany, France, Poland, Spain, the Baltic States, Russia, Switzerland, and Greece. All include important clients of ours, and there will probably be more to come as we get closer to the date. I look forward to a less hectic market with more time to talk and enjoy the newly won freedom to move around again.” Moritz then showed off his salesmanship: “Our line-up includes a new four-parter entitled Ill-Fated Masterpieces of European Cinema , and Ablaze , a profile of William ‘Bill’ Onus, a char- ismatic Aboriginal cultural leader who played a decisive part in his people’s fight for recognition, and plenty of arts docs.” From the U.S., Agapy Kapouranis, president of International Television & Digital Distribution, Lionsgate in Los Angeles, stated: “We’re excited to participate in MIPCOM this year. MIPCOM has always been an important market for us and a great way to connect with our partners and showcase the Lionsgate content we have to offer.” In terms of acquisition executives, Kapouranis thinks “we’ll see more French, Italian, Russian side, the U.S. once again tops the list, followed by Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina. According to Alexander Marin, head of Dis- tribution at Colombia’s RCN, but who is based in Miami, Florida, MIP Cancun is expected to be well attended. In the view of Marcel Vinay of Mexico City’s Comarex, “We are all playing it by ear.” From Cannes To Cancun Agapy Kapouranis of Lionsgate The press conference for the presentation of the MIA market in Rome, to be held October 13-17, concurrent to MIPCOM. Reiner Moritz of Poorhouse International RaiCom’s Margherita Zocaro Anti-COVID Measures at the Cannes Film Festival The 74th annual International Cannes Film Festival was among the first live industry events of the year. The event took place July 6-17, 2021, and some 28,000 participants were on the scene. Vaccinated Europeans could access the festival’s facilities by showing their health passes. Others, including British and American attendees, had to submit to COVID tests every 48 hours even if vaccinated. Festival staffers were also required to be tested every two days. On average, three positive cases were detected per day out of approximately 4,000 daily tests. A test center adjacent to the Palais was open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. throughout the duration of the event. Indoors, masks were required, but not enforced. At the screenings and awards ceremonies, no empty seats between the attendeeswere required. No body temperatures were measured at the entrances of the Palais or the hotels. And speaking of the hotels, the Carlton is closed (and will remain closed for renovations until 2023), while The Martinez, The Majestic, and The Grand Hotel are open and operating at 100 percent capacity. The JW Marriott was at 50 percent capacity. “We’re excited to participate in MIPCOM this year. MIPCOM has always been an important market and a great way to connect with partners.” Agapy Kapouranis