Kansai TV's "Elpis" is selected as Asian World Premiere at Mipcom Cannes

RX France and Kansai TV announced that event series "Elpis" will be this year’s Asian World Premiere at International Co-Production and Entertainment Content Market, Mipcom Cannes from 17-20 October. “The global appetite for authentic, authored international drama has never been stronger," Lucy Smith, Director of Mipcom Cannes and MIPJUNIOR said. "The standard has also never been higher, with Elpis yet another exceptional example. We are thrilled to stage it and to bring the tradition of the Asian World Premiere back to this year’s full strength MIPCOM.”  

Scheduled for Tuesday 18 October at 18.30 (CET) in the world-famous Grand Auditorium in Cannes’ Palais des Festivals, the premiere screening will be followed by a Q&A with cast member Toko Miura alongside award-winning producer Ayumi Sano. The event also marks the first Asian World Premiere to be staged at MIPCOM CANNES since the pandemic. The 38th edition of the event is projected the receive more than 10,000 senior international television producers, buyers, commissioners and creatives from the industry’s major studios and platforms worldwide. More than 300 exhibiting studios and distributors are confirmed to attend the market.  

Inspired by multiple true cases of false accusations, Elpis follows Ena Asakawa (Masami Nagasawa), a former network anchor whose star has faded due to scandal and now helms a late-night, less-formal magazine show. There an under-rated and rookie director Takuro Kishimoto (Gordon Maeda) begins to doubt a death row conviction which, together with Asakawa, make-up artist Cherry (Toko Miura) and star reporter Shouichi Saito (Ryohei Suzuki), they investigate and unravel as a state-wide conspiracy and cover up.   

The leading commercial broadcaster in Japan’s Kansai region, Kainsai TV are responsible for hit series including "My Dear Exes," "He Who Can't Marry," and "My Dangerous Wife." Their work has received international recognition including the US International Film & Video Festival and the Silver Plaque and Chicago International Film Festival Television Awards. “Though it deals with a serious issue, Elpis has darkly comedic dialogue along with a plot that will pack an emotional punch for viewers," Miho Okada, Executive Managing Director, Kansai TV said. "We are very proud what the amazing production team and performers have created, and to share it first in Cannes with our global industry is a privilege. We believe it is a show that will surprise in Japan and internationally this Fall.”