Cannes’ documentary and factual programme market, MIP Doc runs this year from the 2nd to the 3rd of April whilst its entertainment content counterpart, MIPTV takes place from the 4th to the 7th April. In the days before the two events, IFTN spoke with Enterprise Ireland and the Irish Film board as well as Irish production companies and distributors who are travelling over to the event.
Enterprise Ireland will return to the MIP TV event to host the Ireland on Screen stand as well as their annual networking reception on Tuesday, April 5th which aims to celebrate the Ireland on Screen contingent. The 33 delegates will include Jam Media Ltd.; Kite Entertainment; Big Mountain Productions; Dublin Film Distributors; Keg Kartoonz Ltd.; Network Ireland Television; Screentime Shinawil; Sideline Productions Ltd; Telegael; Tyrone Productions; Vision Independent Productions and Windmill Lane Pictures Ltd.
Eileen Bell, Enterprise Ireland's Digital Media Development Advisor descibes the strength of the Irish presence at the event, telling us that: “The Irish contingent attending MIPTV create internationally recognised award winning original IP and provide top-end production services for the entertainment media sector worldwide. A strong representation of technologically innovative Irish companies is attending this premier international exhibition and conference. We are delighted to be showcasing Ireland’s leading Media & Entertainment companies at the Ireland on Screen group stand at MIPTV 2011.“
The Irish Film Board is supporting the Ireland on Screen stand in partnership with Enterprise Ireland and an IFB spokesperson tells us that their aim at this year’s market is to meet with international producers and broadcasters and reinforce Ireland’s strong profile as a destination for television on the back of a wide number of successful projects which choose Ireland as a film location last year such as ‘Camelot’ and ‘Neverland’. The IFB’s Film Commissioner, Naoise Barry, and Deputy Chief Executive, Teresa McGrane will be attending the event.
Naoise talks about the past benefit of the market event to the Irish TV industry, telling us: “Ireland has developed a strong reputation on the back of ‘The Tudors’, as a leading international co-producer of “event” television. We first met the UK producers of ‘Primeval’ for ITV & ProSieben at MIP TV in 2009, leading to a €12 million investment in the Irish economy last year. MIP TV provides strong business opportunities for our industry in terms of attracting inward investment to Ireland.”
Where Irish production companies are concerned; Monster Distributes will be in attendance at both the MIP Doc and MIP TV events. The company is screening six programmes at the former, these include HD music series, ‘Other Voices’; bio series ‘Planet Rock Profiles’; ‘Imogen Heap Live at the Royal Albert Hall’; documentary ‘The Rite for Exorcism: Myths, Mystery and Hope’ and feature docs, ‘Bruce Lee – In Pursuit of the Dragon’ and ‘Bruce Lee – A Warrior’s Journey’.
The group is bringing eight animated projects to MIP TV including 52 x 11 minute series, ‘Magic Cellar’; 52 x 7 minute series, ‘Bobby and Booba’ and a 52 x 15 minute series entitled ‘Gumball Family’. Monster’s vice-president of sales and acquisitions, Deidre Barry tells IFTN: “We’re looking forward to a busy market with meetings scheduled with all the key international broadcasters.”
Another distributor attending the event is Derry O’Brien’s Network Ireland Television. Speaking with IFTN about the ”very important market event” Derry named some of the projects his company will be representing which include Whole in the Wall Gang’s drama ‘Paedophile Priest’; Imagine’s ‘The Irish in Hollywood’ and ‘Movie Talk’ as well as Sé Merry Doyle’s feature documentary, ‘Jimmy Murakami - Non Alien’.
Jam Media’s John Rice tells us that Jam Media will be bringing four of their animated series to MIP TV including series two of ‘Roy’ which is currently in production along with ‘Picme’, ‘Funky Fables’ and ‘Tilly and Friends’. ”70% of our business deals are conducted at MIP,” John tells us. “It’s a very important market for us in terms of nurturing existing relationship and establishing new ones.”
With a stand alongside the Ireland on Screen one, RTÉ will be in attendance with several projects including lifestyle programming such as Waddell Media’s new series of ‘At Your Service’ and Vision Independent Productions’ ‘Roomers’ as well as factual programming such as a second series of M3TV’s ‘From Here to Maternity’.
Tile Films will be seeking final pre-sales for it's 90 minute HD docudrama 'Saving Titanic' and will be inviting co-production partners and pre-sales for a 6 x 25 min HD documentary series, ‘Wet Planet’ and ‘C21ST Caveman’. The company will also be seeking international sales on their new factual series, 'Waterways - The Royal Canal’ which will be launched at the event. Managing Director, Stephen Rooke tells IFTN that an attendance at MIPTV is essential for his company: ”MIPTV has enabled us to forge relationships with overseas broadcasters and producers. This year as well as working with RTÉ, TG4 and the Irish Film Board we will be working with ZDF Germany, ARTE Germany/France, ZDF Enterprises, AETN UK, S4C Wales, Smithsonian Channel UK and National Geography Channel USA. Attending the Enterprise Ireland stand at MIPTV is an essential part of growing our co-production base,” he tells us.
Moving West, Telegael’s Head of International Development, Gráinne McNamara tells IFTN that the company is headed to MIPTV with five shows, including 26 x 26 min live action series, ‘My Phone Genie’; 22 x 11 min animated series, ‘BiMoMiBo’ and 52 x 11 min animated series, ‘Katie & Rookie’.
Furthermore, Sideline Productions will arrive at MIPTV armed with four new formats and programme sales for the international market including ‘The Model Scouts’; ‘Community Challenge’; ‘Choir Off’ and ‘Head Chef’. Sideline creative director, Billy McGrath praises the work of the Ireland on Screen stand, saying: “The Ireland on Screen stand is a huge boost and the profile does help the international side of our business it to grow. There is no bigger stage to road test or sell our TV formats to the international market than MIPTV.” He also spoke with confidence about the Irish producers present at MIPTV , saying “with fellow Irish production companies developing new formats and Irish broadcasters backing them, Irish TV producers are going to the market with strong tape reels and we are steadily gaining a steady reputation as format developers.”
Octagon Films, World 2000, and Parallel Films in particular will be actively promoting Irish-made television series including ‘Camelot’ for Starz; ‘Neverland’ for Sky Movies and ‘Treasure Island‘ for Sky 1. Where the first is concerned, MIPTV will play host to the international premiere screening of Irish-Canadian co-production ‘Camelot’ which will take place on the opening evening of MIPTV 2011 on Monday April, 4th at 6pm. GK-TV President, Craig Cegielski will bring the World 2000 co-production to Cannes for an exclusive international presentation at MIPTV’s 2011 World Premiere TV Screenings event.
The first two episodes of the series will be screened in the Palais des Festival’s Grand Auditorium, followed by an exclusive Q&A with the cast. Immediately following the showing, the ‘Camelot’ actors, Eva Green (Cracks) and Joseph Fiennes (Shakespeare in Love) will walk the red carpet at MIPTV’s Opening Cocktail Party at the Carlton Hotel.
Innovation Ireland and Enterprise Ireland will be in attendance at the MIP TV event to host the Ireland on Screen stand (Hall 01 Stand No. 02.30). For a full list of scheduled MIPTV and MIP Doc events and for more information visit www.mipworld.com
