NATPE Budapest International Press Releases

Hybrid virtual events to complement essential in-person meetings embracing the new normal and creating the blueprint for future online marketplaces and events

LOS ANGELES, June 29, 2020 – The National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE), the premier global business association for content producers, distributors, streamers and buyers across all platforms today revealed its plan to launch NATPE VIRTUAL in support of two of its tentpole events, happening in-person this year – NATPE Budapest International , August 25^th through 27^th, 2020, and NATPE Streaming Plus September 15, 2020. Both events were postponed due to the global pandemic. 

The NATPE brand has long been recognized as a one-stop-shop in the global content marketplace, and even during challenging times, its goal remains the same: to be an ultimate resource for producers and distributors as the one-stop-shop for the business of content.  To do this, the key elements that make NATPE’s physical experience a must attend event were carefully considered when building out the virtual event strategy as online networking and marketplaces become commonplace. Utilizing the digital space created by NATPE VIRTUAL and its partners, exhibitors will be able to guide buyers through the content licensing journey from discovery, to screening, to signing terms all digitally.

In conjunction with the physical events, the highly intuitive NATPE VIRTUAL digital experience – a single portal destination – encompasses the most comprehensive ecosystem of customized tools to empower creators and distributors of all background and experience:

• Virtual Screenings and secured licensing powered by industry leading marketplace, RightsTrade,
• Virtual Exhibition portal with showrooms and networking lounges powered by Vision Events,
• Virtual content sessions, webcasts and online master classes, and custom sessions in partnership with Perigon
• Private meetings between buyers and sellers with access to meeting concierges

Said President and CEO JP Bommel, “True to our vision to be the one source for global content, Team NATPE is deploying the most comprehensive suite of virtual experiences to complement our physical events and conferences. The focus is on content and community. Virtual experiences are not intended to replace the essential face-to-face meetings but serve as an alternative platform to provide for monetization, connectivity and opportunity to distributors and buyers. NATPE VIRTUAL provides a cost-effective alternative for creators, programmers and diverse storytellers and storytellers when the desire for content has never been greater.”

About NATPE

NATPE is the largest U.S-based global content association and professional membership organization dedicated to shaping the future of content through global marketplaces and conferences, screenings, awards, and networking events, including NATPE Miami Marketplace + Conference, L.A. Screenings Independents, NATPE Budapest International and NATPE Streaming Plus.  Representing every facet of the content business, NATPE, with a history of over five decades, is committed to representing the needs of its evolving members and constituents across all platforms and to bringing them together to be the indispensable resource in the evolution of content as the conduit to connectivity, business insights and opportunity.

About RightsTrade

RightsTrade is the industry leading online marketplace for film, television and digital media distribution rights. By connecting distributors with content owners, RightsTrade makes it easier, faster and more cost-efficient for buyers and sellers to license content rights. The platform accelerates every step from lead to close and generates incremental sales for content owners.

Studios, content owners, distributors and sales agents already trust RightsTrade to promote, screen and sell 6000+ titles to a growing community of 29000+ industry executives in over 125 countries.

RightsTrade’s leadership team is focused on developing and implementing virtual marketplace tools along with year-long commercial and back-end solutions for leading film and television companies. The company has a team of executives, highly experienced across all sectors of content licensing and technology for the world’s leading media and entertainment companies.

About Vision Events

Vision Events, based in Valencia, CA has been a partner to the entertainment industry for over 35 years, providing an unmatched white glove service.  With its roots embedded in the physical trade show space, Vision Events is now recognized as the leader in the digital trade show world and is committed to providing an eco-system that will allow clients to share, sell and market content at the highest level.  Vision Events has remained a pillar during this incredibly challenging time and will continue to support the community and clients with innovative and thoughtful outreach programs.

Vision Events, based in Valencia, CA has been a partner to the entertainment industry for over 35 years, providing an unmatched white glove service.  With its roots embedded in the physical trade show space, Vision Events is now recognized as the leader in the digital trade show world and is committed to providing an eco-system that will allow clients to share, sell and market content at the highest level.  Vision Events has remained a pillar during this incredibly challenging time and will continue to support the community and clients with innovative and thoughtful outreach programs.

About Perigon

Perigon is a few-to-many webcasting solution that has the power to create a production; think of Perigon as an auditorium which has a backstage with a stage, and an audience watching the stage with the benefits of digital interaction. Perigon is the first and only webcasting solution that combines multifaceted communication with data-driven audience segmentation, allowing you to separately engage with multiple target groups in one singular, powerful event. Perigon transforms traditional webcasting into interactive, branded experiences with lasting impact and value. Beneath the surface, it combines comprehensive existing data with cumulative real-time insight, enabling marketers and communicators to shape the right messages and interactions to the right people at the right time—before, during and after the event. Built by WIN Technology, reflecting its ongoing commitment to innovation in communication, Perigon isn’t just breaking the mold; it’s casting a new one. Experiences that empower business and inspire possibilities.

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Media Contacts: 
Kevin Broderick 
The Lippin Group (LA)
kevin@lippingroup.com

Los Angeles / Budapest, 26 June 2019:  NATPE and CEETV are delighted to announce that the winning format of the fourth edition of PITCH & PLAY LIVE! as voted for today by an expert jury at NATPE Budapest International, is TVP Poland’s SANATORIUM OF LOVE.

SANATORIUM OF LOVE – Six elderly ladies and six senior gentlemen, who differ in character, personality, passion and life experience, set off to a picturesque health resort in the mountains, where for three weeks they are given the opportunity to get to know one another and experience new adventures, also related to the sphere of feelings. All the participants have one thing in common – they are lonely and want to change it. The program aims to show the problem of discrimination against older people and to present the autumn of life in a colourful and warm way, emphasizing the value and dignity of a human being regardless of their age.

The winning format owner receives complimentary registration and accommodation for NATPE Miami Marketplace + Conference 2020, as well as a series of development meetings with leading distributors in attendance.

The winning format was selected from a shortlist of three formats, which included SANATORIUM OF LOVE (TVP, Poland); KID COOKS OF SLOVENIA (POP TV, Slovenia) and MYSTERIES IN THE SPOTLIGHT (Antena 1, Romania).

Following live presentations by the creators of all three shortlisted formats during the PITCH & PLAY LIVE! session at NATPE Budapest International, SANATORIUM OF LOVE was chosen by an expert jury consisting of Andrea Gavacova, Format Sales Director for Central and Eastern Europe, Fremantle; Peter Nunez, Founder, NUNEZ NFE and Nick Smith, Executive Vice President, Formats at All3media International.

This year PITCH & PLAY LIVE!’s top three formats were shortlisted from a selection of ten brand-new original formats from CEE and EMEA.  Each of the ten formats was evaluated based on three criteria: originality (how original is the idea for the format); universality (does the format idea show flexibility for changes and development) and internationality (does the format have the potential to be sold internationally). A selection committee, comprising industry professionals reviewed each format and voted in all three criteria with scores from 1 to 5. The final ranking was determined from the accumulated sum of all scores of the five selection committee members.

For more information about the Pitch & Play Live! event, please go to: http://ceetv.net/pitchplay/index

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ABOUT NATPE

NATPE is the largest U.S-based global content association and professional membership organization dedicated to shaping the future of content through global marketplaces and conferences, screenings, awards, and networking events, including NATPE Miami, L.A. Screenings Independents, NATPE Budapest International and the inaugural NATPE STREAMING PLUS. Representing every facet of the content business, NATPE, with a history of over five decades, is committed to representing the needs of its evolving members and constituents across all platforms and to bringing them together to be the indispensable resource in the evolution of content as the conduit to connectivity, business insights and opportunity.

Press Contacts:

Debbie Lawrence
The Lippin Group/London 
dlawrence@lippingroup.com
+44 203 008 5406

Kevin Broderick/Megan Levy
The Lippin Group/LA
kevin@lippingroup.com
megan@lippingroup.com
+1 323 965 1990

Los Angeles/Budapest, 27 June – CEETV and NATPE have today announced  the winning format of the third edition of PITCH & PLAY LIVE!, which took place this evening during NATPE BUDAPEST INTERNATIONAL, as:  IN THE DARK (LNK, Lithuania) – in which seven sighted people are selected to tackle an extreme challenge – to survive ten weeks in complete darkness.

The winning format was chosen from three finalists, which also included THE COMMUNITY (Pink, Serbia) – a format in which contestants deal with real issues and everyday situations; and TWINS (Pyatnitsa, Russia) – where each episode tells the story of one pair of twins who decide to change their look and become different.

IN THE DARK was announced as the winner after the three finalist formats were presented live by their creators in Budapest during the PITCH & PLAY LIVE! session on Wednesday, 27 June. The jury, consisting of Manuela Caputi, Head of International Sales, Mediaset; Marietta Temesvari, Development and Content Strategist, Sony Pictures Television, CE and Kateryna Vyshnevska, Head of Development & Co-production, FILM.UA, then deliberated and selected the top format. 

This year, PITCH & PLAY LIVE’s three finalists were selected from among 14 formats from Lithuania, Serbia, Hungary, Russia and Turkey, following the vote of a selection committee which included Damien Porte, VP International Sales, Vivendi Entertainment; Nelly Feld, Head of Sales, Acquisitions and International Relations, Reshet TV; Andrew Sime, VP of Formats, Banijay Rights; Dann Novak, Content Executive, NATPE and Georgi R. Chakarov, President and CEO of TVBIZZ and CEETV.

Each format was evaluated based on three criteria: originality (how original is the idea for the format); universality (does the format idea show flexibility for changes and development) and internationality (does the format have the potential to be sold internationally). The selection committee members reviewed each of the 14 formats and voted in all three criteria with scores from 1 to 5. The final ranking was determined from the accumulated sum of all scores of the five selection committee members.

For more information about the Pitch & Play Live! event, please go to: http://ceetv.net/pitchplay/index

About NATPE

Celebrating over 55 years of service to the ever-evolving global television industry, NATPE continues to redefine itself and the services it provides to meet the needs of its members and the industry. What has remained constant is NATPE’s commitment to encouraging the growth and supporting the success of video content development, creations, production, financing, and distribution across all platforms. For more information, please visitwww.natpe.com.

Press Contacts:

Debbie Lawrence
The Lippin Group/London 
dlawrence@lippingroup.com
+44 203 008 5406

Kevin Broderick/Megan Levy
The Lippin Group/LA
kevin@lippingroup.com
megan@lippingroup.com
+1 323.965.1990

Budapest, Hungary: 26 June 2018: Jiangsu Broadcasting Corporation (JSBC) has today signed a deal with Viasat World at NATPE BUDAPEST. The international media company has secured the rights to broadcast the Emmy Award-winning docudrama Scars of Nanking on Viasat History in July 2018.

Seniha Tunaboylu, Head Of Content And Acquisitions, Viasat World, and Li Hanchun, Deputy Director of International Department, JSBC signed the deal today, with Li Sheng, Vice President of Jiangu Broadcasting Corporation and CEO of NATPE, JP Bommel also in attendance the event and witnessing the signing of the deal.

On securing the rights to air the docudrama on Viasat History across CEE, Tunaboylu comments: “Our Viasat History audience is very loyal and discerning, and we are committed to bringing them more of the world-class, acclaimed content that they crave. With this deal, our important partnership with JSBC continues to deepen. Scars of Nanking is a fantastic addition to our programme line up for July, and we can’t wait to see how it performs on the channel.”

Li Sheng comments: “The Nanking Massacre is a very important historical event during World War II. I believe the screening of Scars of Nanking on Viasat History will let more European audiences know about the forgotten holocaust. It is also a great pleasure for JSBC and Viasat World to partner, bringing world-class content to a bigger audience.”

Scars of Nanking won the nominations of Outstanding Cinematography and Outstanding Single Camera Editing in 45th Daytime Emmy, and finally received the award for Outstanding Cinematography.

In Scars of Nanking, American missionaries struggle to save Chinese civilians from slaughter and rape at the hands of Japanese invaders and to smuggle out evidence of the infamous Nanking Massacre of 1937. During the brutal invasion of China in 1937 by Imperial Japanese forces, tens of thousands of civilians and prisoners of war were murdered and women raped in the city that was then the Chinese capital. Today it is known simply as “The Rape of Nanking.” Many fled before the invasion. But 22 foreigners did not leave Nanking.

This is the story of some of those who chose to stay in the face of grave personal danger—American missionaries, some of them educators, others doctors or ministers, all determined to do what they could to help safeguard a quarter of a million Chinese civilians. Not only do they put themselves directly in harm’s way to protect women from rape and both men and women from random execution and murder—these Americans play a key role in bringing evidence of the Nanking Massacre to the rest of the world.

One missionary, Father John Magee, films the aftermath of atrocities, while another, George Fitch, risks everything to clandestinely spirit the films out of the city. Dr. Robert Wilson saves countless lives as the only remaining surgeon in Nanking, and a heroic teacher, Minnie Vautrin, prevents hundreds of rapes singlehandedly. Their stories come to life through the letters and diaries they actually wrote during that terrible time as they bear witness to one of the worst wartime atrocities in history.

-ENDS-

About Jiangsu Broadcasting Corporation 
Jiangsu Broadcasting Corporation (Group), or JSBC, is one of the most powerful and influential media groups in China. JSBC is now running 16 television channels, 10 radio frequencies, 1 newspaper and 5 periodicals，in addition to IPTV, OTT, Web TV station and other new media businesses. The group is also operating other businesses including content production, cinema circuit, movie distribution, home-shopping, cable network, creative park, financial service, on-line game, animation and so on. JSBC’s leading channel Jiangsu Satellite Channel now ranks top among all provincial-level satellite channels in terms of coverage and rating share. Moreover, the JSBC-affiliated production companies and channels have produced many highly-acclaimed movie blockbusters and hit shows, such as Black Coal, Thin Ice, winner of the Golden Bear in 64th Berlinale, Changes, winner of the Best Drama Series Award in the 15th Asian Television Awards (ATA), Celebrity Battle, winner of the Best Music Program Award in the 19th ATA, Super Combat Teams, winner of the General Entertainment Program Award in the 20th ATA, as well as Perfect Match, I Never Knew That about China and A Foreign Perspective of Nanjing Massacre, benchmarks of China’s television industry.

About Viasat World
Viasat World is a leading international media company with a comprehensive channel and SVOD portfolio spanning the factual, entertainment, drama, film and sport genres. Operating 27 Pay-TV channels and on-demand services in key markets, we have over 164 million subscriptions across 50+ countries and territories.  Our world-class, compelling content is available in 17 different languages, expertly curated across our 18 content brands. Born out of a vast library of celebrated, contemporary programming, our core factual entertainment brands, Viasat Explore, Viasat History, Viasat Nature and Viasat Life, bring history to life, tell nature’s own stories and deliver timeless real-life entertainment through inspirational storytelling; whilst Epic Drama celebrates the greatest period drama series from around the globe. In addition, our nine distinct movie channels include TV1000, TV1000 Russian Kino and ViP Premiere, positioning us as the number one movie provider in Russia. The channels screen everything from Hollywood blockbusters to the very best internationally-acclaimed titles, featuring some of the greatest stars of all time. Committed to digital excellence, our aim is to secure SVOD rights for almost all our content. We operate ViP Play, a streaming service available in Russia and CIS, giving viewers access to our portfolio of channels and full content library. The TV1000 Russian Kino direct-to-consumer service is the latest addition to our digital portfolio, providing subscribers outside of Russia with access to a vast collection of the latest and greatest Russian films and TV series.

Los Angeles/Budapest, 21 June –  CEETV and NATPE are proud to announce the three finalists for the third edition of PITCH & PLAY LIVE! which will take place during the NATPE BUDAPEST INTERNATIONAL market and conference between 25-28 June 2018.

Following a very close pre-selection vote, the three finalists this year are: THE COMMUNITY (Pink, Serbia) – a format in which contestants deal with real issues and everyday situations; IN THE DARK (LNK, Lithuania) – in which seven sighted people are selected to tackle an extreme challenge – to survive ten weeks in complete darkness; and TWINS (Pyatnitsa, Russia) – where each episode tells the story of one pair of twins who decide to change their look and become different.

The three finalist formats will be presented live by their creators in Budapest during the PITCH & PLAY LIVE! session on Wednesday, 27 June. The jury, consisting of Manuella Caputi, Head of International Sales, Mediaset; Marietta Temesvari, Development and Content Strategist, Sony Pictures Television and Kateryna Vyshnevska, Head of Development & Co-production, FILM.UA will review the top finalists and vote for one winner of the competition which will be announced in front of NATPE Budapest International attendees.

This year PITCH & PLAY LIVE’s Top 3 formats were selected from among 14 formats from Lithuania, Serbia, Hungary, Ukraine, Russia and Turkey, following the vote of the selection committee which included Damien Porte, VP International Sales, Vivendi Entertainment; Nelly Feld, Head of Sales, Acquisitions and International Relations, Reshet TV; Andrew Sime, VP of Formats, Banijay Rights; Dann Novak, Content Executive, NATPE and Georgi R. Chakarov, President and CEO of TVBIZZ and CEETV.

Each format was evaluated based on three criteria: originality (how original is the idea for the format); universality (does the format idea show flexibility for changes and development) and internationality (does the format have the potential to be sold internationally). The selection committee members reviewed each of the 14 formats and voted in all three criteria with scores from 1 to 5. The final ranking was determined from the accumulated sum of all scores of the five selection committee members.

For more information about the Pitch & Play Live! event, please go to: http://www.pitchplay.tv

About NATPE
Celebrating over 55 years of service to the ever-evolving global television industry, NATPE continues to redefine itself and the services it provides to meet the needs of its members and the industry. What has remained constant is NATPE’s commitment to encouraging the growth and supporting the success of video content development, creations, production, financing, and distribution across all platforms. For more information, please visit www.natpe.com.

Press Contacts:

Debbie Lawrence
The Lippin Group/London 
dlawrence@lippingroup.com
+44 203 008 5406

Kevin Broderick/Megan Levy
The Lippin Group/LA
kevin@lippingroup.com
megan@lippingroup.com
+1 323.965.1990

Budapest/Los Angeles, 24 May – NATPE, the premier global business association for content producers, distributors and buyers across all platforms, has seen a steady rise in the number of buyers planning to attend its forthcoming NATPE BUDAPEST INTERNATIONAL marketplace and conference at the Intercontinental Hotel (25 – 28 June), it was announced today by JP Bommel, President & CEO, NATPE.
Buyer and acquisition executive registrations are currently outpacing 2017. NATPE Connect – the bespoke concierge service where buyers and sellers can organise meetings ahead of time – is already seeing an unprecedented number of pre-arranged connections in Budapest with just four weeks before the market kicks-off. A number of Screenings from the major studios and global distributors are also lined-up with CBS, NBCUniversal, KOCCA, Warner Bros. and STUDIOCANAL showcasing new content which has only just debuted at the May Screenings in Los Angeles.

A robust schedule of business intelligence sessions has been carefully curated by NATPE, with industry experts from all parts of the content business converging to discuss topics such as International Drama Production: Maximising Cross-Regional Partnerships, New Opportunities and New Audiences in MENA, A World of Formats: Distribution Insights and Strategies, All The World’s a Stream: Game Changing OTT Platforms, and an in-depth look at The Current Advantages of Latin America. The first session on Monday evening (25 June) will kick off the 2018 event with a Global Content Business Forum, designed to provide buyers and sellers with an overview of the latest international trends and data at the start of the market.

The third edition of the popular PITCH & PLAY LIVE!, which highlights original format ideas with international potential from the CEE and MENA regions, will take place on Thursday 28 June. Entries which have been received from Lithuania, Serbia, Hungary, Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and Romania will be evaluated and reviewed by a pre-selection committee of international industry executives. Damien Porte, VP International Sales, Vivendi Entertainment; Nelly Feld, Head of Sales, Acquisitions and International Relations, Reshet TV and Andrew Sime, VP of Formats, Banijay Rights will pick three finalists. This trio of top format ideas will be presented live by their creators in a special session at NATPE BUDAPEST INTERNATIONAL. A jury of highly respected TV professionals will then vote and proclaim one format the winner of PITCH & PLAY LIVE!

JP Bommel commented, “NATPE BUDAPEST INTERNATIONAL continues to grow and build on its extremely solid foundations. It remains the pre-eminent content marketplace for CEE and by extending our remit to include EMEA we have been able to encourage even more of our clients to attend making it a truly international event. NATPE BUDAPEST INTERNATIONAL has always offered a robust learning and networking opportunity with a series of specially devised and relevant sessions alongside screenings, receptions and parties which unite the content and platform communities in one place in the centre of Europe.”

For more information about NATPE BUDAPEST INTERNATIONAL please go to: https://www.natpe.com/budapest/

About NATPE
Celebrating over 55 years of service to the ever-evolving global content industry, NATPE continues to redefine itself and the services it provides to meet the needs of its members and the industry. What has remained constant is NATPE’s commitment to encouraging the growth and supporting the success of video content development, creations, production, financing, and distribution across all platforms. For more information, please visit www.natpe.com.

Press Contacts:

Debbie Lawrence
The Lippin Group/London 
dlawrence@lippingroup.com
+44 203 008 5406

Kevin Broderick/Megan Levy
The Lippin Group/LA
kevin@lippingroup.com
megan@lippingroup.com
323.965.1990

Launches Third Annual Pitch & Play Live! Extending the Competition to EMEA Producers

Los Angeles/Budapest, 8 March – NATPE Budapest is re-naming as NATPE BUDAPEST INTERNATIONAL in order to reflect the Global TV Market and Conference’s extended focus beyond CEE to the EMEA and worldwide content business.

NATPE BUDAPEST INTERNATIONAL will include a robust content marketplace, top-level studio screenings and business-focused conference sessions, and will take place at the InterContinental Hotel from 25 – 28 June 2018.

Reflective of the change, it’s annual PITCH & PLAY LIVE! event, co-hosted with CEETV the leading media platform for regional TV intelligence, will extend its entry criteria to include innovative independent producers* from the wider EMEA region.  

The goal of PITCH & PLAY LIVE!, now in its third year, is to showcase and recognize original format ideas with international potential. Any non-scripted format created after June 1, 2017 can be submitted for consideration in the competition. From all entries, up to ten titles will be selected and reviewed by an international committee of global content industry professionals, who will select three finalists. The top three formats will be presented at a dedicated session by their creators in front of a jury of highly respected TV professionals during NATPE BUDAPEST INTERNATIONAL.  After deliberation by the jury one format will be named the winner of PITCH & PLAY LIVE!

CEE and EMEA producers who wish to take part in the showcase will be offered a special discounted registration fee of €100 ($125) to the NATPE BUDAPEST INTERNATIONAL event in its entirety, providing complete access to the entire marketplace and conference. Participation/registration fees will be facilitated by NATPE (see links below for more information). 
In addition to media exposure, the winning format owner will receive complementary registration and accommodation for NATPE MIAMI 2019, as well as a series of development meetings with leading distributors in attendance.

NATPE President and CEO JP Bommel comments, “NATPE is about bringing people together to learn from one another – the more we engage and find common ground, the better we are able to navigate the evolving TV ecosystem. CEE is burgeoning with innovation and vibrancy, but as the world becomes a smaller place, we need to capitalise on the wider, growing talent pool present in the EMEA region. Last year’s Pitch & Play Live! event was a huge success, with the added bonus of a significantly reduced registration fee we look forward to seeing some even more creative, culturally and geographically diverse format ideas in 2018.”  

Submissions must include a one-page description of the format in English, a trailer of three minutes or less and at least one full episode, both with English subtitles. The deadline for submissions is 1 May 2018.
*To qualify for registration as a “producer” at NATPE BUDAPEST INTERNATIONAL, you must be a creator/producer with original content that has only been distributed/broadcast in a single regional market. The conference will vet all producer registrations for approval; entities that are distributors or exhibitors are not eligible for the producer’s registration rate.

To register as a producer for NATPE BUDAPEST INTERNATIONAL and participate in Pitch & Play Live! please go to: https://www.natpe.com/budapest/register

For more information about the Pitch & Play Live! event, please go to: http://www.pitchplay.tv

About NATPE
Celebrating over 55 years of service to the ever-evolving global television industry, NATPE continues to redefine itself and the services it provides to meet the needs of its members and the industry. What has remained constant is NATPE’s commitment to encouraging the growth and supporting the success of video content development, creations, production, financing, and distribution across all platforms. For more information, please visit www.natpe.com.

Press Contacts:

Debbie Lawrence
The Lippin Group/London 
dlawrence@lippingroup.com
+44 203 008 5406

Kevin Broderick/Megan Levy
The Lippin Group/LA
kevin@lippingroup.com
megan@lippingroup.com
323.965.1990

 

NBCUniversal, MGM, Twentieth Century Fox, Lionsgate, CBS and Warner Bros. Offer Screenings

Los Angeles, 16 May –  JP Bommel, President & CEO of NATPE announced today the launch of several new initiatives for the forthcoming NATPE Budapest Global TV Market and Conference, taking place at the Intercontinental Hotel in Budapest from June 19-22.  

In addition to the robust conference program featuring “Success in Co-Productions: Maximizing Your Regional and International Business Partnerships” and “A World of Formats: Insights and Strategies for Global Distribution”, the premier global content and membership organization will introduce an expanded networking service, targeted buyers’ sessions and a regional producers’ summit all designed to foster new business and stimulate creative discussions and partnerships. NBCUniversal, MGM, Twentieth Century Fox TV Distribution, Lionsgate, CBS and Warner Bros. will offer CEE acquisition executives new content, fresh from the LA Screenings; and the popular Pitch and Play is back for a second edition.

150 companies from broadcasters, cable, satellite and pay-tv services, and digital networks across 70 countries are set to attend, and buyers’ participation is already outpacing last year, with more than 415 confirmed to-date. To facilitate buyer and seller introductions, NATPE is launching MyNATPE – the  organization’s proprietary, intuitive match-making networking platform.

Also set to debut at the conference are key “Business Intelligence”’ sessions – “Opening the Window on CEE” and “CEE Market Overview: Regional Breakout Hits, Trends and Data” – outlining CEE buyers’ programming needs and unveiling current trends from across the region.  These invaluable presentations will take place on Monday June 19, ahead of the opening of the market floor which takes place June 20.  

JP Bommel commented, “We are very excited to build on our successful return to Budapest and have the opportunity to not only showcase fresh content from around the world, but also highlight the incredibly powerful content from the CEE region. NATPE is proud to offer new initiatives designed to ensure delegates get the most from the event – from setting the scene with our opening Business Intelligence sessions to offering local producers the chance to discover more about the international market. NATPE Budapest is also a fantastic opportunity for networking with focused sessions and a number of parties, bringing the content and platform communities together at the epicenter of the CEE region.”

Featured Sessions include:

OPENING THE WINDOW ON CEE
This panel will consider the process of windowing content around the world which has become increasingly complex, with new platforms and opportunities springing up continuously. What do producers and distributors need to know about buyers’ expectations, and what do buyers need to know about the distributors’ approach to selling across the various existing and new windows?  A panel of experts will discuss how the business process is evolving in the CEE region; what’s new, the key battles over rights and where success has been found.   

CEE MARKET OVERVIEW
This multi-level, interactive session will provide a comprehensive look at CEE television and content, and support regional and global business acumen. Commencing with a comprehensive review exploring the latest trends in the region, including a look at the hits of the season, the presentation will be followed by a moderated discussion among regional experts and attendees.

REGIONAL PRODUCERS’ SUMMIT
This summit, curated to engage emerging producers within the CEE region, will also take place at Budapest’s Intercontinental Hotel on 20 June.  The event will open with a “state of the union” keynote delivered by a leading and respected senior executive.  This will be followed by a panel of experts leading a discussion and audience Q&A which will focus on the challenges and opportunities for production success in the region.  A pitch feedback session will then take place, where, selected via a submission process, four project reels from local production companies will be screened. Each project, one from four distinct formats, and its creator will then receive constructive comments and questions from our expert panel and their fellow participants.  The event will conclude with an informal discussion.

PITCH & PLAY LIVE
Following the success of the inaugural edition in 2016, CEETV and NATPE will host the second edition of their format initiative PITCH & PLAY LIVE, aimed at showcasing original format ideas with international potential from the CEE region. Any non-scripted format ideas created after June 1, 2016 can take part in the competition. The deadline for submissions has been extended until May 20. Up to ten titles will be selected and reviewed by an international committee of TV industry professionals who will pick three finalists. These top three formats will be presented live by their creators in a special session on June 21, as a key event of NATPE Budapest 2017, followed by a celebratory party. A jury of highly respected TV professionals will vote for one format winner of PITCH & PLAY LIVE which will be announced at NATPE Budapest. 

About NATPE

Celebrating over 55 years of service to the ever-evolving global television industry, NATPE continues to redefine itself and the services it provides to meet the needs of its members and the industry. What has remained constant is NATPE’s commitment to encouraging the growth and supporting the success of video content development, creations, production, financing, and distribution across all platforms. For more information, please visit www.natpe.com. 

For full details of the NATPE Budapest schedule please visit: www.natpe.com/budapest/schedule

For full details of PITCH & PLAY LIVE please email: pitch.play@ceetv.net

Press Contacts:

Debbie Lawrence
The Lippin Group/London 
dlawrence@lippingroup.com
+44 203 008 5406

Kevin Broderick/Megan Levy
The Lippin Group/LA
kevin@lippingroup.com
megan@lippingroup.com 
+1 323.965.1990

Market & Conference Also Launches CEE Regional Producers’ Summit

LOS ANGELES, March 15 – NATPE announced today that during its forthcoming BUDAPEST GLOBAL TV MARKET & CONFERENCE, which will open at the InterContinental Budapest 19 – 22 June, the leading television association will host a CEE Regional Producers’ Summit.   The specifically curated event has been devised to meet the clearly identified needs of local and regional emerging producers and content creators. The summit will offer networking access to senior executives from leading international production companies and experts in sales and include the opportunity to hear success strategies, as well as a pitch feedback session with representatives from top distribution companies.

With a robust buyer turnout confirmed, this year’s event has a global focus with exhibitors from more than 60 countries already registered, including new companies attending for the first time from Germany, Turkey, China, India and Japan. NATPE Budapest will also feature dedicated screenings to showcase new programming from leading studios.  

One not-to-be-missed session for all delegates will be a comprehensive CEE Market Overview highlighting regional breakout hits, trends and data.  A panel of leading regional and global experts will focus on the hits of the season from the CEE territories and beyond.   Of special interest to local producers within CEE is PITCH & PLAY LIVE, presented by NATPE in partnership with CEETV and TVBIZZ, which aims to showcase original non-scripted format ideas with international potential.*

Other session subjects, which will incorporate high profile local and international speakers, include an up-close examination of the latest windowing techniques; a series of format case studies and an in-depth look at Indian, Turkish and Chinese programming.

JP Bommel, President and CEO of NATPE said, “We are very pleased to be back in Budapest in June to once again act as the catalyst to generating business across Central and Eastern Europe. As well as delivering a wide range of acquisitions executives and exhibitors, we are delighted to offer a carefully curated line-up of panels and speakers that we believe will benefit all our delegates. Our new initiative to engage with new producers in the CEE Regional Producers’ Summit is particularly timely as there is currently substantial growth in local production across many territories.”

About NATPE
Celebrating over 55 years of service to the ever-evolving global television industry, NATPE continues to redefine itself and the services it provides to meet the needs of its members and the industry. What has remained constant is NATPE’s commitment to encouraging the growth and supporting the success of video content development, creations, production, financing, and distribution across all platforms. For more information, please visit  www.natpe.com. 

For full details of the NATPE Budapest schedule please visit: www.natpe.com/budapest/schedule

*For full details of PITCH & PLAY LIVE please email: pitch.play@ceetv.net

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Press Contacts:

Debbie Lawrence
The Lippin Group/London 
dlawrence@lippingroup.com
+44 203 008 5406

Kevin Broderick/Megan Levy
The Lippin Group/LA
kevin@lippingroup.com
megan@lippingroup.com 
323.965.1990

Winner to be Revealed 29 June During NATPE Budapest 2016 Market & Content Summit

LOS ANGELES/BUDAPEST, June 22, 2016 – NATPE announced today the three (3) finalists for the inaugural “Pitch & Play LIVE” competition, a new initiative presented by NATPE in partnership with CEETV and TVBIZZ, which will showcase original non-scripted format ideas possessing international potential from across the CEE region. The winner will be revealed at the forthcoming “Pitch & Play LIVE” event 29 June from noon–1:30 pm. The session is part of NATPE Budapest 2016 Market & Content Summit in Budapest, 27-30 June.

The finalists will present their formats to the following international panel of judges: Amos Neumann, Chief Operating Officer of Armoza Formats; Can Okan, CEO/President of ITV Inter Medya; and Girts Licis, Head of CEE, Formats & Content Development, Modern Times Group.

The three finalists are:

• “Best Offer” (Osakond, Estonia) – a show where celebrities offer unique personal items in a real-time online auction with the proceeds going to charity.
• “Crack Them Up. Kids” (Kvartal-95, Ukraine) – an entertaining comedy gameshow where young participants win a prize if they can successfully get two acclaimed and popular comedians to laugh at their skit.
• “Pick the Right Box” (Kvartal-95, Gaudi Studio, Ukraine) – a show where ordinary, yet unique, people compete with celebrities in four categories: science, sports, singing and dancing.

Each format was evaluated by members of an esteemed blue-ribbon jury, which includes: Pascal Dalton, Regional Sales Director, Formats: CEE at Endemol Shine Group; Nick Smith, SVP International Format Production at All3Media International; Noelia Nicolas, Director European Formats at CBS Studios International; Jordan Ryder, VP of Domestic & International Programming, NATPE; and George R. Chakarov, CEO at CEETV, TVBIZZ Group.

In addition to media coverage by CEETV, TVBIZZ and NATPE, the winning format will be awarded a development meeting. 

For full details of the NATPE Budapest schedule, please visit: www.natpe.com/budapest/schedule

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About NATPE: Celebrating 54 years of service to the ever-evolving global television industry, NATPE inspires the growth and success of content development, creation, production, financing and distribution across all platforms through marketplaces where industry decision makers gather to offer insight and make deals. 

For more information, please visit www.natpe.com.

Press Contacts: 
Kevin Broderick/Megan Levy
The Lippin Group/LA
kevin@lippingroup.com, megan@lippingroup.com 
323.965.1990

 

Announces Session Programming

LOS ANGELES, May 11, 2016 – NATPE announced today that the success of several new initiatives has helped the forthcoming Budapest 2016 Market & Content Summit achieve a substantial rise in the number of pre-registrations by acquisitions executives. More than 400 key buyers from 217 companies and 49 territories, including buyers from all the major TV stations within 25 CEE countries, have already registered to attend. Additionally, NATPE will host an extended lineup of conference sessions presented by both leading international and locally-based content executives, all of which will take place at the InterContinental Budapest 27 – 30 June. 

NATPE Budapest will feature dedicated screenings to showcase new programming from major studios including CBS, Lionsgate, NBC and Warner Bros., as well as a diverse range of local and international exhibitors. Companies new to exhibit at the 2016 Budapest event include Bonneville Distribution (USA), Comarex SA de CV (Mexico), EastWest License Ltd. (Hong Kong), HNFF World Sales (Hungary), Horizon Film (Turkey), Newen Distribution (France), One Connxt (Jordan) and Sonar Entertainment (USA), with Paramount returning to the event after a five year hiatus.

Along with an increased number of delegates from across the CEE region, the market will host participants from Latin America with Caracol Television, Comarex SA de CV, Telemundo and Televisa, as well as many exhibitors from across the Middle East, Europe and Asia. 

NATPE Budapest’s Content Summit will highlight both local and international, scripted and unscripted programming, kicking off on Monday 27 June with a CEE Content Showcase where Danny Kershaw, K7 Media’s International Research Manager, will shine the spotlight on the very best in Central and Eastern European original unscripted programming revealing the current tastes and cultural differences across content created in the region. 

This is followed by a unique masterclass, designed to provide detailed information about the steps required to reach global co-production success. In The Practicalities of Making a European Co-Production, a leading panel of experts will cover all aspects of scripted co-production from how to best design an effective pitch right through to choosing the proper distribution platform. Issues specific to the CEE will be discussed, including financing plans, and union relations and understanding global co-production treaties.

Launching the programme on Tuesday 28 June NATPE Budapest will present a fireside keynote chat with Mr. Peter Kolosi, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of RTL Hungary at RTL Group SA who will discuss the opportunities and challenges of local scripted content in the CEE. Mr. Kolosi is responsible for the programming of RTL Hungary’s family of channels, including the market-leading flagship channel RTL Klub and the seven cable channels for Hungarian-speaking audiences. 

Mid-day, participants will reconvene during lunch for a Case Study session spotlighting HBO’s “Aranyélet.” A critically-acclaimed, eight-hour drama series produced by HBO Europe, “Aranyélet” (“Golden Life”) is based on the Finnish format “Helppo elämä” (“Easy Living”), with the story and characters adapted for Hungarian audiences by local writers. The case study will look at what drew HBO to the project, the necessary considerations for adaptation and how HBO Europe approached its production. These and other matters will be examined by Antony Root, EVP, Original Programming and Production, HBO Europe, and Gabor Krigler, HBO Hungary’s Creative Executive who developed and oversaw the show creatively and HBO Europe Production Executive Anna Zavorszky. They will be joined for this special lunch session by the series’ producer Judit Stalter from Laokoon Films, the production company behind SON OF SAUL, winner of the 2016 Oscar for Best Film in a Foreign Language, and other members of the production team. 

On Wednesday, 29 June formats are again put under the microscope during the breakfast session Global Formats: What’s Working, What’s Failing, What’s Next? The session panel boasts a world-class lineup of industry executives including Mike Beale, ITV EVP Global Development and Formats; Merrily Ross, VP Formats & Content Development, Modern Times Group; Amos Neumann, COO Armoza Formats and Pascal Dalton, Regional Sales Director, TV Formats and New Media, CEE Endemol Shine Group. The panel will analyze the past, present and future of the global non-scripted business. 

Of special interest to local producers within CEE is PITCH & PLAY LIVE, a session presented by NATPE in partnership with CEETV and TVBIZZ, which aims to showcase original non-scripted format ideas with international potential from across the region. Any non-scripted developed format created after June 1, 2015 in the CEE region may be submitted for consideration. Out of all entries, up to 10 titles will be selected and reviewed by a Finalist Selection Committee comprised of five TV industry professionals who will be charged with selecting three finalists. This committee includes George R. Chakarov, CEO at CEETV, TVBIZZ Group; Jordan Ryder, VP of Domestic & International Programming, NATPE; Pascal Dalton, Regional Sales Director, Formats: CEE at Endemol Shine Group; Nick Smith, SVP International Format Production at All3Media International; and Noelia Nicolas, Director European Formats at CBS Studios International. The top three finalist formats will then be identified and presented “live” by their creators during the session to a Blue Ribbon jury of three highly respected TV professionals including Can Okan, CEO & President, ITV Inter Medya; Amos Neumann, COO, Armoza Formats and Girts Licis, Head of CEE, Formats & Content Development, Modern Times Group. Collectively these three jurists will select and declare one format as the winner at the conclusion of the session. In addition to media coverage by CEETV, TVBIZZ and NATPE, the winning format will be awarded a development meeting. For full details of PITCH & PLAY LIVE please email: pitch.play@ceetv.net

“We are pleased that our return to Budapest, with an expanded market and content summit, has been met with such enthusiasm from all parts of the industry and we are delighted to see both buyer and exhibitor registration numbers continue to build,” said NATPE COO & Managing Director JP Bommel. 

Adding, “Our focus is to promote a mutually-beneficial flow of programming across borders, encouraging local CEE producers to come together with international exhibitors, studio executives and acquisitions experts to explore the many opportunities benefitting the region and the wider global market. We believe there is a huge, untapped opportunity for content both entering and leaving the CEE, and NATPE Budapest is the perfect venue to learn about the current possibilities and optimize business prospects.” 

For full details of the NATPE Budapest schedule please visit: www.natpe.com/budapest/schedule

About NATPE

Celebrating 54 years of service to the ever-evolving global television industry, NATPE inspires the growth and success of content development, creation, production, financing and distribution across all platforms through marketplaces where industry decisionmakers gather to offer insight and make deals. 

For more information, please visit www.natpe.com.

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Press Contacts:

Debbie Lawrence
The Lippin Group/London 
dlawrence@lippingroup.com
+44 203 008 5406

Kevin Broderick/Megan Levy
The Lippin Group/LA
kevin@lippingroup.com
megan@lippingroup.com
+1 323 965 1990

 

Early Momentum is Strong as NATPE Returns to Budapest InterContinental Hotel June 27-30

LOS ANGELES, February 24, 2016 – Following the recent confirmation that NATPE Budapest 2016 Market & Content Summit will return to Budapest, it was announced today that general registration for participants at the event is now officially open, with a triple-digit number of buyers already registered.

Housing for the event that will take place at the InterContinental Hotel from June 27–30, 2016, is now available. NATPE has reserved a special discounted rate and room block at the InterContinental Hotel rate of 160 Euros (plus 22% VAT), inclusive of free WIFI and breakfast.  As a special offer to exhibitors, NATPE is extending a 10% discount on exhibition fees when a hotel reservation for three (3) room nights at the InterContinental Budapest is confirmed.  The 10% discount will be credited back to exhibitors post NATPE Budapest.  Reservations must be made within NATPE’s room block, and before March 25, 2016, to take advantage of this special discount offer.

In its continued belief in the growth of the Central & Eastern European (CEE) region, NATPE Budapest 2016 Market & Content Summit is returning to Budapest.  Creative and production communities will be featured during the three day event providing unparalleled access to local production from that key region to the world.   

In addition to Hollywood studio screenings, the Market & Content Summit will also feature a lineup of prominent local and international industry leaders headlining an expanded conference agenda.  NATPE is currently accepting proposals for sessions and speakers, the deadline of which has been extended until March 7, and can be accessed at NATPE.com or via this direct link: Submit Speaker & Session Proposals.

“We are excited about our forthcoming plans for the return of NATPE to the great city of Budapest,” commented JP Bommel, Managing Director & COO for NATPE.  “Early momentum looks robust with a significant number of buyers having already pre-registered.  We are confident that this represents a strong indication that our decision to shift our focus towards local CEE producers and content is resonating well.  We are also keen to receive ideas and speaker suggestions from both the local and international production and distribution communities so we can create a truly bespoke and relevant program for our Summit to enhance the market experience for all attendees.”

About NATPE
Celebrating 54 years of service to the ever-evolving global television industry, NATPE inspires the growth and success of content development, creation, production, financing and distribution across all platforms through interdependent marketplaces where industry powers gather to offer insight and make deals. NATPE is the leader in developing international markets and conferences for the entire spectrum of the dynamic content business. For more information, please visit www.natpe.com.

Press Contacts:
Debbie Lawrence
The Lippin Group/London
dlawrence@lippingroup.com
+44 203 008 5406

Kevin Broderick/Megan Levy
The Lippin Group/LA
kevin@lippingroup.com ,
megan@lippingroup.com 
323.965.1990

 

LOS ANGELES, November 17, 2015 – In its continued belief in the growth of the Central & Eastern European (CEE) region, NATPE Budapest 2016 Market & Content Summit is returning to the center of the CEE. Creative and production communities will be featured during the three day event, providing unparalleled access for local production from that region to the world. The conference will take place at the InterContinental Hotel in Budapest from June 27–30, 2016.

“As the most important CEE event, we look forward to returning to this great city in the heart of the region to host a newly reimagined event. We will build on our international assets with a completely fresh orientation that showcases content from every country within the CEE. While remaining a market for buying and selling, we will also be focused on discovering original programming to become the bridge between these countries and the broader international buying and distribution community,” said Rod Perth, President and CEO of NATPE.

In addition to studio screenings, the Market & Content Summit will also feature an unparalleled lineup of local and international industry leaders headlining a fully developed conference component. 

“We view each CEE country as a partner, and we want them to feel that this is their market providing new opportunities that haven’t previously existed. They will do business, they will network, they will engage with global partners, and their local content will lead the way on our international stage,” added JP Bommel, Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of NATPE. 

This announcement comes as NATPE prepares for the annual Miami Market and Conference once again in Miami Beach January 19–21, 2016, with a newly expanded campus spanning both the Fontainebleau Miami Beach and neighboring Eden Roc Miami Beach Resort. The conference will operate under the theme of “Be Creative. Be Fearless. Be Ready.” Attendees will be encouraged to be imaginative, tenacious and equipped to succeed in the constantly expanding, interdependent content community. Please visit https://www.natpe.com/for updates. 

About NATPE
Celebrating 54 years of service to the ever-evolving global television industry, NATPE inspires the growth and success of content development, creation, production, financing and distribution across all platforms through interdependent marketplaces where industry powers gather to offer insight and make deals. NATPE is the leader in developing international markets and conferences for the entire spectrum of the dynamic content business. For more information, please visit www.natpe.com.

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Press Contacts:

Debbie Lawrence
The Lippin Group/London 
dlawrence@lippingroup.com
+44 203 008 5406

Kevin Broderick/Megan Levy
The Lippin Group/LA
kevin@lippingroup.com
megan@lippingroup.com
323.965.1990