LE RENDEZ-VOUS DOCS 2021: A HIT FOR GLOBAL BUYERS AND COMMISSIONING EDITORS

The first edition of Le Rendez-Vous Docs, TV France’s new market dedicated to French documentaries, is a hit with buyers and commissioning editors the world over. The digital event produced interesting figures: 456 visitors/>1,000 visits to the Rendez-Vous Docs website; 1,886 consultations of programs in the Screening Room (both not connected and connected) and 95% of programs in the Screening Room consulted. 

“With the first edition of Le Rendez-Vous Docs online on March 18, TV France International enabled its members to present nearly 200 ambitious new French programs and projects to  more than 160 buyers and commissioning editors from 38 different countries” explains Sarah Hemar, Executive Director of TV France. “The current situation requires agility, and this brand new market entirely dedicated to French documentaries was organized in just two months. We felt it was particularly important to do it during a period in which the events that usually allow members to highlight the quality and diversity of the sector were being cancelled one after the other due to the health crisis.", asserted  Hemar. "The positive figures we have collected so far via the Lerendezvousdocs.tv platform and the dedicated screening room, Screenopsis, along with the enthusiasm shown by buyers during live Q&A sessions confirm that this was the right strategic decision. All content remains accessible until April 11, so we are really pleased with these initial results. Thank you everyone, for supporting this Rendez-Vous!” she concludes.

PARTICIPANTS TESTIMONY

“Wonderful projects, innovative ideas, the level of this first edition of Le Rendez-Vous Docs was very high, and it was very inspiring,” says Christophe Bochnaki, Chairman of Balanga. “Balanga was honored to participate and to present projects in this kind of showcase, both as Highlights and during pitching sessions, supported by very professional coaching from TV France. This was an excellent experience for me, particularly as I was lucky enough to have a buyer commit live during the Q&A session that followed my presentation of 'Celibacy of Priests – the Specter of Schism' (working title), which is rare. We’ll be coming back next year!”

“Thank you again to the TV France teams for organizing this documentary Rendez-Vous. CLPB Rights used it to launch two new projects: 'Magellan's Extraordinary Odyssey' and 'Environnemtal Justice? Can the law save the planet?' We had very positive feedback from commissioning editors and buyers regarding the quality of the pitches and teasers. This allowed us to firm up co-production partnerships with channels as well as pre-purchases;” explains Julie Tolza, Sales and Development Director for CLPB Rights. "This was an essential spotlight in the absence of an in-person market and was appreciated by sellers and buyers alike. Don’t hesitate to do this again or to hold a documentary Rendez-Vous during future events,” she adds.