The French TV industry’s Rendez-Vous market is kicking off once again in the picturesque coastal city of Biarritz, as it bowed out on Sept. 4 with a show of the year’s best TV content after being forced to go online for the past two years due to the pandemic.
This year also marks the re-launch of the event under the Unifrance banner following the merger of the film and television promotional organization last year and TV France International, the former organizer of Rendez-Vous.
Unifrance Vice President Herve Michel said that with more and more directors and actors increasingly transitioning from film to television, Unifrance’s new role is a natural progression that reflects this evolution.
This is evidenced by the new Rendez-Vous night gala with a special screening of “The King’s Favorite” for French television, starring Isabelle Adjani. Producer and director Jose Dayan’s historical drama deals with the life of sixteenth-century noblewoman and courtier Diane de Poitiers and her relationship with the French King, Henry II, that lasted more than two decades.
Michel noted that the four-part series is an example of high-quality performances being performed in France with the best talent.
“Imagination is getting stronger and stronger,” added Emmanuel Guanul, chair of Unifrance’s TV Distributors Committee. She pointed out that broadcasting platforms are the main reason behind this trend because they are looking for large series written with famous stars.
Gwanul explained that with so many people moving from the film sector to television, it was only a matter of time before Unifrance brought both sectors together in its operations. It was also important for the international market, “especially to attract more audiences and more channels. We see that our French production companies can produce more and more high-quality products. It makes our appearance stronger.”
In addition to strong fiction content, Rendez-Vous is also known for its animation and documentaries.
Michel noted that the event’s small and intimate location made Biarritz a preferred event for vendors. “This is one of their main markets for this year because they really have all the buyers on hand.”
Gwanul added that after several cancellations in the market over the past two years, buyers and sellers are very eager to meet again in person. “Especially in our business, it is very important that we meet physically. The relationship is completely different when you are able to talk to someone at the same table. Everyone is very happy to be back in the markets, especially to Biarritz – the location is very great.”
Nearly 65 distributors will attend Unifrance Rendez-Vous, including major players such as About Premium Content, Federation Entertainment, France TV Distribution, Gaumont, MK2 Films, Newen Connect, Pathe Films, Studiocanal, TF1 Studio and Wide and Wild Bunch TV.
About 240 buyers from around the world are also expected to visit Biarritz, including representatives from the likes of Disney and Amazon. While Europeans will make up the majority of buyers, a large number will travel to the Americas and Asia.
This year the market witnessed a high turnover, with almost 30% of first-time buyers attending.
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