Markets

RX France (formerly Reed MIDEM) today confirmed that biologist, wildlife filmmaker, podcaster and author Patrick Aryee will give the keynote address at this year’s MIPDoc (4-6 April).

Patrick comes to the Spring market fresh from completing his latest project, the ground-breaking six-part Curiosity original docu-series Evolve, shot across 4 continents, and crammed with adventure, wildlife, eye-watering locations, and future thinking. Evolve takes a deep dive into the fascinating and emerging practice of biomimicry, where nature’s strategies can be applied to modern day challenges and potentially revolutionize our future.

Aryee’s keynote will draw on insights from this fresh exploration of evolution, along with those gained over a decade of critically acclaimed factual projects for broadcasters including National Geographic, Sky, the BBC, and Curiosity Stream plus his hugely successful podcast and book ’30 Animals That Made Us Smarter’. It will close the first day of international factual programming forum MIPDoc, staged for the first time within the main MIPTV market in the Palais des Festivals (4-6 April).

Patrick Aryee comments: “It’s an honour to be asked to speak at MIPDoc this year which is a hugely important event for documentaries and factual television. Both the production team and I have been absolutely delighted with the global appetite and interest in Evolve. It’s a truly unique programme, that delves into the world of Mother Nature’s blueprints and offers viewers a sense of adventure, discovery, heart, humour and revelation. This is a series which takes us on a journey through science, natural history, and into our future, all thanks to the power of biomimicry - a subject which for many years has been very close to my heart.”

Lucy Smith, RX France Entertainment Division Director & Director of MIPTV comments: “This is simply a must see, a session that promises fascinating industry and production insights around a theme that challenges our thinking on wider societal issues. Patrick is an engaging, informed voice whose theories are inspiring, and we couldn’t be happier to provide him with the platform to share his thoughts.”

Evolve is distributed by Abacus Media Rights in select international markets. It is produced by Beach House Pictures in association with Blue Ant Media and Singapore’s IMDA, for the global factual media company Curiosity Inc.

The new-look annual MIPTV International Spring TV Market also sees MIPFORMATS brought into the heart of the main programme, with premium high-end drama showcase MIPDRAMA again acting as a curtain raiser on 3 April. Esports BAR, the world’s leading esports business event, will be staged alongside MIPTV in the Palais des Festivals, whilst Cannes will also play host to the fifth season of international TV series Festival CANNESERIES (1-6 April).

The keynote subject aligns with MIP Markets’ ‘Change For Good’ initiative, which aims to put social impact at the heart of industry conversations, and the company’s ongoing commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals programme.

Distributors, studios, buyers and producers, spanning more than 50 countries have to date confirmed their presence at the Market, these include, to date, over 120 companies set to exhibit within a reshaped layout in the Palais des Festivals.