Markets

As part of the 26th edition of the Rendez-Vous Biarritz, from 7 to 9 September, TV France is launching a new format, “What are Commissioning Editors looking for?”.
The round table will be broadcast on the Rendez-Vous 2020 platform www.rdvbiarritz.com on Tuesday 8 September at 16.30 and will be available on replay until 30 September.

“An increasing number of distributors are becoming involved in and investing or looking to invest in projects to support them from their beginnings” said Sarah Hemar, Executive Director of TV France. “Our role is to support them in this, and this has led to the creation of this event where we invite commissioners, and particularly broadcasters, to come and present their expectations to our members” she added.

During this round table, moderated by Variety journalist Elsa Keslassy, there will also be a discussion on commissioning editors’ editorial strategies in the light of the consequences of Covid-19.

The on-stage speakers include: Catherine Alvaresse, Head of Documentaries, France Télévisions; Richard Maroko, Head of Programming, Mediawan; Christophe Sommet, Head of Themed Channels, Groupe TF1.

The panel will also feature speakers calling by video link including: Kinu Miyano, Senior Producer “BS World Documentary” at NHK (Japan); Jens Monath, Commissioning Editor “Terra X” at ZDF (Germany); Gaspard Lamunière, Commissioning Editor & Buyer at RTS (Switzerland).

A round table launched this year on the theme of documentaries, echoing the 15 pitching sessions also initiated this year as part of the Rendez-Vous Biarritz 2020.

“68% of our members work on French documentaries, which are acclaimed around the world, particularly in the fields of science (Dream the Future, Homo Sapiens...) and history (Apocalypse, The Rise and Fall of Versailles ...)” said Sarah Hemar. “They immediately came on board to follow us in this initiative”.