MUMBAI: One of the key events at this year's television event Mipom in Cannes will be the telenovela screenings. This will take place on Sunday 16 October 2005.

For the first time the Telenovelas screenings will present productions originating exclusively in Spanish and Portuguese. The screenings will be fully digitalised.

Each year more than 500 telenovelas series are produced for a global audience of more than 2 billion. Mipcom states that Telenovelas are now starting to also become part of the cross media landscape with developments in branded content, merchandising/licensing and mobile.

There will be 26 exhibitors at the screenings representing 14 countries. Buyers can digitally view a range of Telenovelas programmes in individual screening booths. This, the Mipcom organisers say is the most effective way of getting the largest possible audience to view productions. Companies like RCTV, Televisa, TV Azteca and Globo TV have partnered for the screenings.

When they pick up their badges at the welcome desk, buyers will receive a smart card that enables them to access the digital video library. They will be able to connect to the library via a PC and start screening. An interface will help them to select programmes, or they can make advanced searches using the different criteria and products listed in the Telenovelas Guide.