China has been named Country Of Honour at next month’s Mipcom Cannes and Tencent VP Sun Zhonghuai is set to keynote the confab.
Coming as various nations revalue their relationship with the world’s most populous country, Mipcom unveiled today a specially curated program spotlighting “China’s co-production, acquisition and distribution activities and opportunities.”
The program will include Fresh Content China, a session presented by the China Pavilion, featuring both the country’s latest output alongside creatives from the Chinese TV industry who will share learnings from its evolution domestically and internationally. Further sessions include masterclasses focusing on successful format adaptations and the use of the latest technology within production, and showcases specializing in the latest in animation, scripted and non-scripted content to emerge from the country.
Zhonghuai, meanwhile, one of the most senior execs at media conglomerate Tencent, who also runs Tencent Online Video, will “share insights into the roles that art and technology play in shaping Tencent Video’s strategy within the ecosystem of one of the world’s largest multimedia companies,” along with speaking about “opportunities for international partnerships within content and streaming.”
The Chinese have rowed back somewhat from their involvement with Mipcom over the past few years so today’s news represents a big step. Past Countries of Honour have included Japan, Turkey, Mexico, France and, most recently, South Korea in 2020. China was also previously recognised in 2018, the year the country became established as the world’s second largest TV market after the U.S.
“We relish the opportunity to champion China’s creativity and content,” said Lucy Smith, Director of Mipcom. “The Country of Honour spotlight provides an unrivalled insight and discovery which can unlock further global deal-making and partnership opportunities. We look forward to welcoming everyone who has kindly agreed to contribute to what will be an unmissable programme of events.”
Mipcom is taking place from October 16 to 19. Paramount’s Bob Bakish is also due to keynote while there will be sessions on AI, FAST and co-productions.