MUMBAI: Documentaries in digital format will be the highlight of MIPDOC 2005, to be held in Noga Hilton, Cannes from 9 April to 10 April.
The annual event, organised by Reed MIDEM, will also feature conference programmes and panel discussions.
"With all programming at MIPDOC now available in digital form, we aim to make documentary viewing an even more enriching and enjoyable experience for the international buyers and show documentaries at their very best," offers Reed MIDEM's Television director Paul Johnson.
Co-organised with RealScreen Magazine, the MIPDOC "Programmer's Showcase" to be held on 9 April will provide documentary producers with the chance to listen and talk to key channel programmers as they detail their acquisition and programming policy for 2005 and onwards.
"Along with the traditional business of keeping buyers in touch with the latest in documentary programmes, MIPDOC has become a forum for exchanging knowledge, views and best practices and this is reflected in our enhanced conference programme," Johnson adds.
MIPDOC, RealScreen and the National Film Board (NFB) of Canada, team up on the same day for the discussion panel "What's Hot in Docs." New technical developments, innovative story-telling techniques, as well as new avenues for distribution and marketing, will all be at the centre of this panel.
Commenting on NFB's partnership with MIPDOC, NFB Film commissioner and chairman Jacques Bensimon says, "with its 65 years of history, 10 Oscars in Hollywood and 11,000 titles in its catalogue, the NFB has identified its international activities as being central to its future. As such, MIPDOC is an excellent opportunity to meet and do business once a year, in one place, with the world's documentary community."
High definition will take centre stage on 10 April as Janet Anne West, managing director of British-based The Skills Zone, leads a workshop discussion on shooting in this increasingly widely-used format. Filmmakers and cameramen, who have worked with high definition, will be on hand to share their experience with MIPDOC attendees.
For the second year, MIPDOC will be hosting a special workshop on international co-production deals. The "International Co-Production Workshop" (10 April) aims to maximise producers' ability to negotiate effectively with potential partners and will cover the vital elements of finance, creative control, ownership and production duties, informs the release.
Completing this year's MIPDOC programme is the "MIPDOC Co-production Challenge," organised in partnership with RealScreen Magazine and hosted by NFB's Jacques Bensimon. Five selected projects will have a total of 10 minutes each to promote their merits to a panel of international broadcasters. Producers/directors who wish to participate, should send their entries by 3 March.
For 2005, MIDOC has introduced an 'Early Bird' participation offer, allowing six programmes to be registered at MIPDOC for the price of four. The offer runs until 31 January.
