Mipcom crowns China as this year's Country of Honor

Mipcom Cannes will recognize China as the 2023 Country of Honor at the upcoming 39th edition of the International Co-Production & Entertainment Content Market in Cannes, scheduled to take place on 16-19 October.“We relish the opportunity to champion China’s creativity and content,” Lucy Smith, Director Mipcom Cannes said. “The Country of Honour spotlight provides an unrivalled insight and discovery which can unlock further global deal-making and partnership opportunities."

Throughout the week, the program will spotlight China’s co-production, acquisition and distribution activities and opportunities, including the Fresh Content China, a session presented by the China Pavilion, featuring both the country’s latest output alongside distinguished creatives from the China 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 latest technology within production, and showcases specialising in the latest in animation, scripted and non-scripted content to be emerging from the country.

As part of the event, Vice President of Tencent, and CEO of Tencent Online Video, Sun Zhonghuai will give a keynote speech in the world-renowned Grand Auditorium of the Palais des Festivals on Monday 16 October at 12:00 as one of the conference’s Media Mastermind series. During the session, Sun will highlight insights about 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, and the opportunities for international partnerships within content and streaming.

Other countries who were previously deemedCountries of Honor include Japan, Turkey, Mexico, France and, most recently, South Korea in 2020. China also received recognition in 2018, the year the country became established as the world’s second largest TV market after the US. More than 300 delegates and nearly 40 companies from China are projected to attend this year's conference. "We look forward to welcoming everyone who has kindly agreed to contribute to what will be an unmissable program of events," Smith said.