Buyers and general attendance up 5%
by Annika Pham
Two days before the Cannes Market (May 12-21) kicks off, Executive Director Jérôme Paillard says the upwards trend in business activities is visible in the 5% increase in participants and registered films.
As the sun finally came through on the Riviera this morning, the tens of thousands of film professionals expected to pour onto the Croisette this week woke to brighter news from world markets, although threats of air travel disruption caused by the Icelandic volcano remained. Speaking to Cineuropa, Paillard tried to remain optimistic. “The lucky star of cinema is shining over us,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the 10,000 or so participants registered at this year’s market, Paillard says that the mood from professionals is definitely more upbeat. “People are much more optimistic and buyers who have been living off their back catalogue over the last year or so are coming back to acquire product”, a trend reflected in the 5% increase in attending buyers.
In terms of films on offer, numbers are also up, with 4,000 titles registered (1,700 projects and 2,300 completed films). Approximately 1,000 films will be screening (910 in 2009) of which 800 premieres (763 in 2009). Half of the films screening are in digital and there is a notable increase in 3D screenings.
Geographically speaking, the biggest increase comes from Latin America (up 12%), with some countries attending for the first time, such like Qatar, Niger, Ethiopia, Mozambique and the Dominican Republic. The biggest countries represented are roughly at the same levels: around 12% of all participants for both the UK and France, and 17% for the US.
As for film professionals, there will be 10% more producers than in 2009. Approximately 600 will attend the Producers Network. “We have reached a saturation point,” stressed Paillard. “This reflects the increased number of co-productions in Europe and the vital role of Cannes as a meeting place where producers can find new financial partners.”
Production trends such as animation and cross media will be discussed at the Network’s various events and, for the third consecutive year, documentary filmmaking, representing around 7% of all films, will have its own Focus on May 18.
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