Tuesday 15:15
Eight companies from Glasgow and Edinburgh will be among thirty-three independent ("indies") UK TV and film producers attending this year's Mipcom in Cannes. Mipcom, held in October, is the largest international trade show for producers, broadcasters and distributors of content for both the big and small screens.
This will be the UK's largest ever presence at the event, and will be the first year for the dedicated 'UK indies pavilion'. Aimed at showcasing the UK's vibrant independent production sector to the world, the launch of the pavilion will create an important new destination for buyers seeking out content from one of the world's most dynamic and creative TV markets.
As some of the shining examples of what the UK has to offer, the event will be an opportunity for Caledonia TV (Glasgow), Finestripe Productions (Glasgow), Hopscotch Films (Glasgow), Ko Lik Films (Edinburgh), Mixipix (Glasgow), Red Kite Animations (Edinburgh), Synchronicity Films (Glasgow), and The Comedy Unit (Glasgow) to showcase their work to an international audience, opening up potential new business partnerships.
The UK pavilion has been organised by Pact, the trade body for independent TV and film producers, with the support of UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) and a partnership of industry stakeholders from across the UK. Companies exhibiting on the pavilion range from up-and-coming indies to more established production outfits and cover a range of genres, including children's TV, factual programming, reality, comedy and drama.
Trade Minister Ian McCartney said: "The UK television industry is at the cutting edge of programme making, with shows like Who Wants to be a Millionaire and The Weakest Link a huge success all over the world. However, the emergence of new international markets means UK programme makers must keep adapting their ideas to keep pace with changing audiences. It is crucial this happens as a thriving UK television industry can be a real boost to the economy, helping to create new jobs. I am delighted that UK talent can now be better showcased to international audiences with this new pavilion."
John McVay, chief executive of Pact, said: "Through the pavilion, UK indies will gain increased access to buyers and distributors, helping them to further realise the value of their rights through programme sales and co-productions. Programming from the UK continues to be hugely popular overseas and there is already excitement and expectation around this initiative within the industry. We look forward to the pavilion becoming a regular fixture at Mipcom and its sister market MipTV."
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Notes to editors
Mipcom, which will take place in Cannes from 9-13 October, is a key event for buyers of UK content. Last year, the market was attended by 12,000 TV professionals from 93 countries. The UK indies pavilion will be located at stand LR4.15 in the Lerins Hall.
UK independent producers are behind many of the world's most successful game shows, reality formats, documentaries, drama series and children's programmes, and the appetite for British television abroad continues to grow. Last year total revenue from the exploitation of UK TV programmes internationally reached £632m, according to the 2005 TV export figures collated independently for Pact by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). This represents an impressive increase of 21%, up from £524m in 2004.
In addition, unlike independent producers in the US, Germany and other major territories, UK producers now own the international and ancillary rights to the programmes they make, under the new Terms of Trade with the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Five. In-depth information about UK independent producers and their programmes can be found in the Pact Directory (http://www.pact.co.uk/directory). The directory is fully searchable and constantly updated, and access for buyers is free.
The other partners in the UK indies pavilion are: International Business Wales; Scottish Development International; Northern Ireland Film and Television Commission; North West Vision; South West Screen; Creative London; and The South East Media Network.
The full list of UK companies participating in the event is as follows: Banjax Studios, Boomerang, Cake Entertainment, Caledonia TV, Calon, Diverse Production, Finestripe Productions, Green Bay Media, Green Inc Film and Television, Hopscotch Films, Ko Lik Films, Mercury Media, Mixipix, Multi Media Arts, Moonbeam Films, Pixel Foundry, Quickfire Media, Red Kite Animations, Red Production Company, Scarlet Television, Steadfast Television, Straight Forward Film and Television Productions, Supersonic Films, Synchronicity Films, Teledu Telesgop, Testimony Films, The Comedy Unit, Tigerlily Films, Turn On Television, Twofour Broadcast, Urban Canyons, Waddell Media and West Park Pictures.
Pact is the UK trade association that represents the commercial interests of independent feature film, television, animation and interactive media companies. Pact is the largest representative group of screen-based content producers in the UK and the largest trade association in the film, television and interactive media sectors.
UK Trade & Investment is the lead government organisation that provides support for UK companies looking to develop international business. It also provides support for overseas companies wishing to invest in the UK. UK Trade & Investment has a wide range of services, backed up by a network of trade advisors worldwide who can provide market intelligence, advice on regulations, sales leads, and financial and practical support. Visit http://www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk for further information.
ISSUED ON BEHALF OF UKTI BY THE GOVERNMENT NEWS NETWORK (SCOTLAND)
