08/10/2002

Jacques Aillagon, the French Minister for Culture and Communications yesterday (7 October) opened the 18th edition of MIPCOM, the most important international film, television, video, cable and satellite fair of its kind. The Cannes-based event began in an atmosphere of uncertainty, with the market feeling the effects of a slowdown while hoping in a revival. The fall off in advertising revenue, the well known problems of Europe’s network of pay-TVs and the increase in production costs are giving the audiovisual industry cause for concern. Nevertheless, in spite of the fall in the number of participants, Mipcom, which will run until 11 October, is expected to welcome close on 10,000 visitors, with 1068 companies from all over the world sending delegations.
On the film industry front, the American studios have all confirmed their presence but Europe’s producers and distributors, especially the French with a strong front line of defence made up of Gaumont, Pathé International and StudioCanal, are eager and ready for the challenge.

(Translated from French)