The National Film Board of Canada (NFB) wrapped up MIPCOM 2007 -- the best-attended edition since the audiovisual market's founding -- with a rich array of sales of new animation, as well as titles from the board's extensive archives. Multi-award-winning MADAME TUTLI-PUTLI was snatched up by Canal + France, ARTE, and Swizerland's TSR. Canal + Spain and TSR also acquired the audience favorite SLEEPING BETTY, while YLE (Finland) bought three shorts from the NFB's TALESPINNERS children's collection: ASTHMA TECH, THE GIRL WHO HATED BOOKS and JAIME LO, SMALL AND SHY.
"At the NFB, we are working to ensure that the digital future has room for artistic excellence and social relevance. With an impressive track record in new media innovation and a vast library of more than 13,000 productions, the NFB is a partner of choice for a growing number of producers, broadcasters, distributors and content developers around the globe," said Tom Perlmutter, Government Film Commissioner and NFB Chairperson, who was appointed to the position in June 2007.
MIPCOM's 23rd edition drew a total of 13,371 participants, a 7% increase over the 12,509 industry professionals present in 2006. MIPCOM also set new records in terms of the number of participating companies, exhibitors and countries represented. Some 4,585 companies from 105 countries took part in the market this year, compared to 4,216 companies from 98 countries in 2006, a rise of 9%. The number of exhibiting companies climbed 10% to 1,801, up from 1,641 companies in 2006. International buyers also turned out in greater numbers: 4,242 acquisition executives, compared to 3,847 in 2006, again a 10% rise.
"Numerous factors contributed to making the 23rd edition break records," said Paul Johnson, Director of Television at Reed MIDEM, "including the increased presence of companies in the technology, mobile and advertising sectors. With a special country focus during MIPCOM, India has never had such a strong presence before at the market with a 392% increase in the number of Indian exhibiting companies."
Over four days, the MIPCOM conference programme comprised 30 sessions, more than 100 speakers and seven keynote speeches from leading executives giving their insight into recent industry changes. For the first time, certain keynote addresses were held in the Grand Audirorium in the Palais des Festivals, and Leslie Moonves, President and CEO of CBS Corporation and MIPCOM 2007 Personality of the Year, delivered the conference opening speech to an audience of 650 industry executives.
The 3rd edition of the MIPCOM Mobile & Internet TV Awards, organised in partnership with the Cannes Film Festival market and its Short Film Corner section, posted a record participation, with 280 projects from 180 companies coming from 38 countries. Nine programs made exclusively for mobile were honoured by a jury of experts and were screened to market executives present in Cannes. For a complete list of winners or more information about the market, go to www.mipcom.com.
