Highlights from the 2024 pre-MIPTV Unscripted weekend: Day 2 (part 2)

Two simultaneous sessions opened the afternoon today at MIPTV. Up in the Hi5 studio, the MIPDRAMA Sunday Screening showcased an international selection of early-stage TV series. It was the eighth edition of this “standalone showcase of highly anticipated international drama series”, as MIPTV Director Lucy Smith put it. She went on to indicate that ten 15-minute exclusive previews in 12 different languages would be screened, and that the shows were curated by a jury of six leading international experts. The selected series all fit the following criteria: they are 100% financed, in their first season and have never been previously presented at any other market or festival.

The session was moderated by journalist Olivia Kinghorst , a first-timer at MIPTV who reminded the audience that this session was all about “embracing the creativity that this industry has to offer.” It was to be followed by a cocktail during which the ‘coup de c?ur’ vote would be revealed, i.e. the audience’s choice of their favourite among the ten series. Keep reading to find out who the winner was…

Simultaneously, the weekend’s second ‘What do Buyers Want?’ talk, over on the Palais Stage, featured Kristina Hollstein, Director Acquisitions & Co-Productions, Documentaries, Children & Youth at ZDF Studios . Hollstein gave a thorough description of the activities in terms of factual programming of the production arm of the German public service broadcaster, what they look for, and even how to get in touch with them.

She did indicate that ZDF Studios likely won’t get involved in a project that hasn’t already garnered interest from a financier or broadcaster. “The worst case for me is a co-production that starts in 2024 and won’t be ready until 2028 or 29,” she explained. “That happens, and it’s a nightmare. But ZDF is a very reliable partner, we don’t step out of a project just like that. Despite political changes, budget cuts and other hurdles, we always try to find a solution to move forward on a project we have committed to.”

The afternoon continued on the Riviera Stage with a keynote session presenting formats from Spanish production behemoth The GRUP MEDIAPRO Studio. Entitled “Meet the Creative Minds behind the Mediapro Studio’s Formats”, it featured the company’s Head of Non-Scripted Format Strategy Salva Romero and its Director of Content Development Ran Telem .

The session, moderated by Rebecca Leffler , was the occasion for the two executives to showcase the breadth of the Mediapro Studio’s portfolio. “It doesn’t matter if it’s a cooking show, a documentary or whatever, the core always has to be an idea we find exciting,” summed up Ran Tellem. The way they make an idea for a show exciting, he went on to explain, is “to try to twist it in a way it’s never been twisted before. Sometimes when you just change one element, you change the whole concept.” He cites the example of Crush, a typical cash prize game show, except in this case the prize money is locked in a safe that is hanging from the ceiling. One wrong answer and it could crush the competitor – he pointed out that they don’t actually kill contenders in the show.

Addressing the issue of waning television audiences, especially among younger generations, Romero said: “The real challenge is how do you get Gen Z to watch TV without losing the audience you already have. I believe we can create formats that actually combine audiences, that interest both older and younger viewers.”

Over on the Riviera Stage, the afternoon’s highlight was the very first edition of the MIPFORMATS Pitch competition. Sponsored by ZDF Studios and moderated by World Screen ’s Kristin Brzoznowski , the event saw the finalists take to the stage to pitch their TV format projects in front of the MIPTV audience and of the jury, which comprised Ilan Astrug from Warner Bros. Discovery , Siobhan Crawford from Glow Media , Julien Degroote from TF1 , Ralf Rückauer from ZDF and Ella Umansky from ITV Studios .

Hicran LEFORT , Sales Director at 励展博览集团 , opened the session by indicating that 89 submissions from 29 countries had been received. Only five finalists made it to this stage of the competition, and the winner will get a €2000 cash prize.

?After each contender pitched their format project and answered questions from the jury, the jurors retreated for deliberation. Upon their return, they provided the pitchers with feedback and comments, before the winner was announced: ‘The Stupid House’, a show where celebrities need to play dumb to avoid elimination and increase the jackpot – the last one standing donates the money to a charity of their choice. Congratulations to its creator Sergio Lopez, from Chulapo Pictures (UK).

Meanwhile, the MIPDRAMA Sunday Screenings came to a close with the designation of the ‘Coup de c?ur’ prize winner: Icebreaker, a supernatural thriller set on a ship trapped in the iceshelf. A Finnish production by Helsinki -filmi Oy , the show was presented by its creator and producer Mia Yl?nen , who received the prize from the hands of MIPTV Director Lucy Smith. Undoubtedly an auspicious start for a gripping series…

The day, as well as the pre-MIPTV Unscripted weekend as a whole, came to a close with the MIPDOC and MIPFORMATS happy hour at the Producers Hub Lounge. Delegates gathered for a farewell drink, before MIPTV takes over the Palais des Festivals for its last edition tomorrow.