MUMBAI: The 13th edition of Mipcom Junior, which takes place from 15–16 October 2005 at Cannes will offer an international window for youth programming.
Not surprisingly, content that will be showcased at the event will be dominated by animation.
485 companies have registered for Mipcom Junior. This represents an 18 per cent increase as compared to 2004 which saw 417 companies participating. Over 900 participants from 52 countries will be present, carrying in all more than 830 programmes of which 462 shows are new. As many as 623 shows will be in the animation genre.
Attendees at the event can also enjoy an exclusive sneak preview of the animation film Skyland. This will be screened during the closing night party, sponsored by France 2.
Mipcom Junior 2005 will also present six conferences focussing on topics such as licensing, merchandising, financing and trends in the international youth programming arena.
For the first time on 15 October, Mipcom Junior will explore the topic New Screen Horizons: Selling Kids Content Beyond the Tube. The conference is organised in partnership with the Canadian trade publication, KidScreen Magazine, and will allow participants to explore alternative broadcasting routes, as well as offering insight into what key buyers are looking for in the audiovisual, mobile, VOD and in-flight entertainment industries.
The audience measurement specialist Mediametrie/Eurodata, will contribute their considerable expertise to a panel in which key statistics and international trends in youth programming will be discussed on the 15 October. This new session will give participants unique data in relation to children’s TV programming worldwide.
In-depth focus on Licensing and Merchandising: Three conferences will take an in-depth look at the licensing and merchandising sector. On 16 October, Mipcom Junior will organise a MatchMaking Breakfast, in association with the French consultancy agency, Kazachock, to create an opportunity for professionals and specialists from the sector to network and forge new partnerships.
During the workshop Strategies for Successful Licensing, organised by The International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association (LIMA), participants will be given advice from leading experts, to help them understand more clearly how the licensing and merchandising world operates.
Launched for the first time last year in association with the leading US trade publication, Licence! Magazine, the Mipcom Junior Licensing Challenge has become a key event at the market. Following a pre-selection process led by Licence! Magazine Editor-in-Chief Joyceann Cooney and a jury chaired by BBC Worldwide deputy MD children’s Helen McAleer will evaluate various non-aired projects selected on the basis of their strong potential for licensing and merchandising exploitation.
The jury, which is predominantly toy manufacturers and broadcasters, will offer the selected programme producers practical solutions so they can finalise successful deals on ancillary products. Last year's winners, BRB Internacional (Spain) / Synergy Media (Korea) will explain how winning the award benefitted their project which has been signed to Cartoon Networks US among many other distributors.
In addition Mipcom Junior in collaboration with KidScreen Magazine will organise the debate Balancing Both Sides of the Funding Equation. Producers and broadcasters will share their experiences surrounding the inherent difficulties in securing financing for youth programming. The debate will also explore potential solutions.
Reed Midem director television Paul Johnson says, “2005 is a special year for us. Having all the Mipcom Junior programmes digitally available will allow buyers to screen even more programmes under the best possible conditions.”
