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RX France has opened the global Call for Entries for the 2024 MipFormats Pitch to be held in collaboration with ZDF Studios on the pre-opening weekend of April (Cannes, 6-7) dedicated to the unscripted programs. This year, the weekend before MIPTV 
coupled with an extended MIPDOC strand, forms 'the biggest weekend in Unscripted' in Cannes, preceding the three-day MIPTV exhibition market (8-10 April).

Following the global call for entries, the 2024 MipFormats Pitch will feature a shortlist of five finalists who will present their concepts at the renowned Palais des Festivals on Sunday, April 7th, at 16:30 before an international jury of format experts. From this pool, one winner will be chosen live on stage.

Last year’s competition received an unprecedented 89 submissions from over 25 countries, with the Turkish talent show format ‘The Show Must Go On’, created by FormatWorkshop, emerging victorious over concepts from Italy, the UK, and Ukraine.

The jury will seek universally appealing international formats in selecting the shortlist. The winner will receive a financial contribution of €2000 for development, complimentary accreditation to a future MIP Market, and access to coaching and mentoring expertise from within the ZDF Studios Group for a year. Finalists will be announced leading up to the market.

Producers and content creators globally are invited to submit entries via the MIPFORMATS website for original non-scripted formats not yet commissioned, broadcast, or exhibited, and for which worldwide rights are available. The deadline for entries is February 26, 2024. Full details, terms, and conditions can be found here.

“MIPFORMATS is where formats can go global,” said Lucy Smith, RX France Entertainment Division Director & Director of MIPTV. “The MIPFORMATS PITCH offers producers and creators a prestigious platform for ideas, invaluable exposure to global decision-makers, and now, through ZDF Studios, access to international expertise that can help get their concepts on the map.”

Ralf Rückauer, Vice President Unscripted of ZDF Studios, commented, “All popular shows known to a large, global audience are based on a simple but clever idea - yet they are not easy to find. With RX France, we are looking forward to finding that next big hit. It will be exciting to discover fresh ideas and to honor the winner in Cannes. In addition to the prize money, we wanted to create additional value for the winners through coaching and mentoring from format specialists in the ZDF Studios Group.”

The 61st Spring International Television Market program will include returning renowned elements such as keynotes from leading industry players, The MIP SDG Award (in partnership with the United Nations), and MIPLAB summits focusing on the future of the industry.

International Series Festival CANNESERIES will again run alongside MIPTV from April 5-10, 2024.