As ORF-Enterprise heads into MIPCOM 2025, Armin Luttenberger, Head of Department Content Sales International, highlights the company's commitment to both tradition and innovation. With a line-up that blends fresh scripted series targeted to young audiences, brand-new crime titles such as "The Geier Files," and acclaimed documentaries from the Universum strands, ORF-Enterprise continues to position itself as a trusted partner for global broadcasters.
How will ORF represent Austrian storytelling at Mipcom?
"We are proud to be partnering up, once again, with Film Austria and ABA (FISA+), offering a one-stop shop as a touchpoint to the Austrian creative industry. With these two partners, we represent the entire ecosystem from funding, over production, leading to distribution."
How will ORF's catalog approach young audiences?
"We are excited to extend our line-up, aiming toward young audiences craving for great stories and relatable characters. ORF has proven in recent years that it is a reliable supplier of high-quality drama that resonates with audiences worldwide. Experiencing a gentle shift from 'traditional' linear audiences to their younger family members is incredibly exciting. But there is more: the movie series 'In the Shadow of Fear' continues in part three, 'Lights Out', and 'Days That Never Were' second season has been announced, 'Soko Linz' continues with fresh episodes, and 'Tatort Vienna' is approaching its grand finale with the beloved duo of investigators exiting the strand soon. ORF-Enterprise has taken over world sales for the brand-new movie series 'The Geier Files', with the upcoming titles 'The Woman with Two Lives' and 'Friend or Foe' already lined up. Both films follow former policeman Lukas Geier, whose personal history and investigative skills draw him into complex murder cases, weaving together emotional depth, suspense, and unexpected twists that make the series a standout addition to ORF's international slate."
Your catalog of nature and wildlife documentaries remains a selling point internationally. What new factual or scripted titles will you showcase at Mipcom?
"We will be presenting a strong mix of factual and scripted highlights. Within the Universum Nature highlights, titles include 'The Red Sea – Evolution's Magic Garden', which takes viewers into the unique ecosystem of the Red Sea, where coral reefs thrive under extreme conditions; and 'Mission Sea Otter – Saving California's Kelp Forests ', showcasing the crucial role sea otters play in preserving fragile kelp forests. 'Austria's Greatest Mountain – The Grossglockner' combines spectacular Alpine landscapes with the environmental challenges facing glaciers and wildlife. From Universum History, we highlight 'Archduchess Sophie – The Power Behind the Habsburg Throne', revealing the influence of Archduchess Sophie on the Habsburg dynasty, alongside 'The Forgotten – Women of the Peasants' War', which sheds light on the overlooked stories of strong women in European history. On the scripted side, ORF Originals bring compelling new seasons and films: 'The Geier Files,' a new series of crime movies centered on mysterious murder cases with personal stakes; the latest season of 'School of Champions,' where young athletes chase their skiing dreams while navigating the challenges of growing up; and the return of many other popular formats such as 'Days That Never Were,' 'Soko Linz' and 'Glambitious'".
With a mix of fresh content and well-known legacy titles, how are you balancing tradition and innovation?
"Naturally, we are using Mipcom mainly as a stage for fresh content as well as established audience favorites. But ORF is more than just another logo at the event. We are committed to quality and reliability, and we are proud to be celebrating the year-long collaboration with our partners all over the globe, particularly in times when the importance of cooperation and togetherness seems to be losing its relevance worldwide. This also means that we are accustomed to listening closely to our partners, learning from their experiences, sharing our perspectives, and facilitating international co-production, ensuring that we remain relevant in such a competitive market. Clearly, our offering is closely linked to ORF's output, so we are not free to cater to every single market requirement in the content industry, but we are committed to boldly representing the award-winning portfolio in the respective market segments, shining through excellence in storytelling."