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CANNES 2007 Market

Ten days and counting

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The countdown has begun for the 48th Cannes Film Market (May 16-26), with film industry professionals having until April 12 to register for the event.

Last year the market attracted over 10,000 professionals from 91 countries. Cineuropa met with Jerôme Paillard, director general of the international event – the most important event of its kind – who highlighted "regular growth in the past 10 years of between 6% and 7 % per year, and for the 2007 edition a new floor in the Riviera means the event will have significantly more exhibition space."

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The organisers are also preparing the 4th Producers Network. The event will welcome 500 film industry representatives from the world over and has been met with immediate success since its inception. This "network of networks" is reserved for producers who have produced at least one film that has been released in the past three years and is an excellent opportunity to find international co-production partners.

"Innovation will be the theme of this year’s event, with two speed dating sessions to take place on May 17 and 18, one in English and another in French, along with the traditional breakfasts," detailed Paillard. The aim of these tables is to bring together five or six producers from five continents who present their projects and change tables every 30 minutes.

When asked about the recent quarrel between international sales agents Wild Bunch and the Berlinale festival director, which resulted in a market boycott by the French outfit, Paillard replied: "The Cannes Film Market has always been careful not to make a distinction between the participants in the Riviera and those in apartments. People are free to go wherever they want. There are no off-limit areas like there are at other markets."

This year French outfit Pyramide will make its first appearance on the Riviera.

As for the (at times thorny) issue concerning the growth in the number of festivals, the Cannes market director did not see any particular problem. "It is just as necessary to have big events like Cannes, whose power of attraction draws all professionals, but where time is limited as to have more targeted events at a more tranquil pace. The markets are there not only to sell products, but also to establish relations of trust and to look to the future by anticipating projects," he said.

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(Translated from French)

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