Unifrance’s 31st Rendez-Vous in Le Havre to showcase 500 french shows to 150 buyers

The 31st edition of the Unifrance Rendez-Vous in Le Havre, the world’s largest market dedicated to French audiovisual programs, will take place from September 1 to 5, 2025. The flagship event will gather nearly 150 buyers from around 40 countries, who will have access to more than 500 programs spanning fiction, animation, documentary, live performance, and entertainment, presented by 51 French distributors.

This year’s lineup of participants reflects both loyalty and expansion. Longstanding partners such as Switzerland’s RTS, Germany’s ZDF, Croatia’s HRT, and Poland’s TVP will return, while new entrants include Germany’s Quintus Studios, Czech broadcaster Televize Noe, and Chinese distribution company Central Cooperation International Co Ltd. A strong European presence will be accompanied by buyers from the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, and Asia, reinforcing the event’s global reach.

The program features exclusive screenings at Le Havre’s Pathé Docks Vauban cinema. Highlights include Nature: "The Call for Reconciliation" (105’), a documentary directed by Yann Arthus-Bertrand and distributed by Federation International, which explores humanity’s relationship with nature; "After Us" (6x45’), a scripted drama distributed by Mediawan Rights that depicts a clandestine group forcing business leaders to act on climate commitments; and "Escort Boys" season two (6x45’), distributed by Wild Bunch TV, which continues the saga of four protagonists forced back into escorting.

The market will also feature high-profile gala events. On September 2, the series Vendetta (6x52’), created by Ange Basterga and distributed by France tv distribution, will be honored with an exclusive screening and dinner. The closing night will spotlight Barbapapa en famille ! (104x11’), marking the 55th anniversary of the globally beloved family series, distributed by FESTIVAAL Distribution.

A central focus of the event will be industry insights. Conferences will address audience measurement on digital platforms and unveil the 2024 figures for French audiovisual exports. These sessions will be introduced by Gilles Pélisson, President of Unifrance, Daniela Elstner, Executive Director, and Gaëtan Bruel, President of the CNC. At 10:15 a.m. on September 2, Pélisson and Yannick Carriou, CEO of Médiamétrie, will present a session on data and digital distribution, while at 11:15 a.m., CNC and Unifrance will jointly present the latest export results.

The Unifrance Rendez-Vous benefits from the support of the French government, CNC, PROCIREP, Ville du Havre, and Région Normandie, as well as corporate patrons such as Accor, BNP Paribas, and Vranken-Pommery Monopole. Media partners include Variety, Prensario, and Deadline.

By combining high-level networking, exclusive screenings, and strategic discussions, the 31st Rendez-Vous in Le Havre reaffirms its role as the premier global market for French audiovisual works.