Most prominent in Europe, which set record highs in 2023 and 2024, with world premieres of Apple TV+’s “Silo” and “Franklin,” Amazon’s “Dead Ringers” and Disney+’s “Becoming Karl Lagerfeld.” The Cannes series, one of the largest festivals in the world, is expanding its scope. The industry is focused on the 8th edition in 2025, but this will be the second standalone event without MipTV or Mipcom sidelining the TV festival.
Season 8 of the Cannes series, which organizers are calling the 2025 8th edition, will be held on the Croisette from April 24 to 29.
In its biggest move, Cannes Series will enhance the professional programming it launched in 2020, featuring both the already established Cannes Series Writers Club and Producers Club, which will include commissioners, program managers, producers and distributors. , is aimed at directors of private or public television channels, platform directors. .
Cannes Series will now develop various clubs, networking and discussion forums under the umbrella of the Cannes Series industry, said Cannes Series Managing Director Benoît Louvet. variety.
First, we have a new composer, technician, casting director, and student club.
“Feedback from the Producers Club and Writers Club has been great. We want to create encounters where people meet in a way that is different from 30-minute meetings. Show commissions and deals that have come from past editions. It’s hard to imagine how many people there are,” said Alvin Lewis, artistic director of the Cannes series.
In a separate move, the Cannes series will gather all its activities at Cannes’ Palais des Festivals. Benoît Louvet, Managing Director of the Cannes Series, said: variety.
The club’s members will be drawn from across the global industry, he added.
Claire-Marin Pietriga, deputy artistic director of the Cannes series, said the Producers Club will be expanded to accommodate producers of documentary series.
In total, around 300 to 500 professionals from the club could be represented, according to Lube. Rubbe said the commissioners will hold a dedicated session at the Producers Club.
Buyers will participate in a series of different festival sections of the Cannes series. Lewis said the entire value chain will be represented in the Cannes series, with global companies participating, producing, purchasing and distributing.
He declined to comment on whether the Cannes series would cover flights and accommodation for industry participants, a key concern for companies in an age of cost-consciousness.
The highly selective and successful festival section of the Cannes series (features, shorts and documentaries) will be retained.
In 2020, while Mipcon was forced to cancel plans for a three-day on-site event due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the Cannes Series bravely held a physical edition in Cannes to overcome the pandemic. Gathering together a group of French industry players determined to take on the challenge, Mipcon held the match online.
Aside from that third edition, the Cannes series has always been held in parallel with MipTV or Mipcom, the latter of which had attracted 2,950 buyers by October 10, according to Mipcom’s website.
Since its launch in 2018, the Cannes series has been very strong, with major world premieres in the US as well as Beta Film’s Sisi, currently sold in 120 territories, and NRK/Mypo Film’s Norwegian period drama Banner series from major companies in Europe and Israel are also attracting attention. “State of Happiness,” which has been sold to broadcasters in more than 60 countries, or “The Allegation” in 2021, starring “Babylon Berlin” star Peter Kurt, and Ferdinand von Schirach and the production company Konstantin’s exciting This is a confirmation of a fruitful scriptwriting and production axis.
“The Zweiflers,” which won the Cannes series award for best series this year, took home four awards at the 2024 German TV Awards, including best drama series. The award-winning documentary film “DJ Mehdi: Made in France” has become a hot topic in France.
The big question for the independent Cannes series is whether it can continue to attract shows of this caliber even when MipTV’s customer base evaporates.
“While we are now respected by the industry and have the support of everyone who has previously joined us, we are always seeking new voices and looking to expand into new areas, and in the past “We’ve been talking to everyone for months, the broadcasters, the producers, and of course the buyers,” Louis said.
“The Cannes series can not only launch a career with a smaller title, but also provide a strong marketing launch with a lot to offer.”
In fact, there was always the question of how many MipTV and Mipcom buyers, tied up with meetings, lunches and dinners, actually found the time to screen Cannes series titles locally. In this context, the marketing impact of the Cannes Series selection and awards is the most important consideration.
Series recruitment for Cannes Series Season 8 will open on November 8th and certification will take place on December 2nd.
