Gaia Tridente: "I will strive to produce an ambitious and high quality MIA Market edition"

MIA Market 2022 (Mercato Internazionale Audiovisivo) will be the first edition with Gaia Tridente in charge of the full event. The new director of the event that will be held in Rome from October 11 to 15 has talked with Señal News about the goals and challenges of this edition and anticipated the new features as the launch of a new pillar, the Animation.

What are the main challenges and goals of this edition?
"MIA is today an unmissable event for the Italian and international audiovisual industry, over the years it has established itself as the most important Italian market in terms of attendance and results. It has helped to increase co-productions and business relationships internationally along with the export of Italian audiovisual products. As Director of MIA, after years of experience as Head of Drama, I will strive to produce an ambitious and high quality new edition that will be able to meet the needs of the industry and bring content in all its forms and declinations back to the center of the market."

This year will include one more pillar to the traditional ones Doc & Factual; Film and Drama: the Animation. How will each of them be structured?
"MIA offers a wide range of industry-specific programs, in addition to forums dedicated to co-productions and pitching, there are content showcases, networking activities, panels and conferences addressing the most relevant issues. MIA is a rare example of a market event born out of a public-private partnership, involving the entire Italian and international audiovisual industry system. The fact that it is produced by the main industry associations - ANICA (National Association of Audiovisual, Film and Digital Companies) and APA (National Association of Audiovisual Production Companies) - gives MIA an analytical and understanding capacity of the industry's needs, making it an efficient and successful model. Also crucial are contributions from the Ministry for Economic Development, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, the Lazio Region and of ICE (the agency for the promotion abroad and the internationalization of Italian companies) and the Patronage of Eurimages. This edition of MIA will see a richer and wider Co-Production Market and Pitching Forum, also because we have received a much higher number of requests than in the last years. Another thing I care a lot about is supporting the Ukrainian audiovisual industry. We will host a delegation of producers and representatives of the Ukrainian national broadcaster, promoting new projects through the Ukraine Content Lab and presenting the collaborations of recent months between Ukrainian and international content-makers As for the new Animation section, animation producers looking for commissioners and international distributors will have the perfect opportunity to present their projects to an audience of industry professionals and international top players from studios, digital platforms, broadcasters, and production and distribution companies. We will also offer opportunities to meet with potential financiers and opportunities to find co-producers."

How many attendees do you expect this year?
"Last year more than two thousand professionals from 56 countries participated, this year we expect an increase in participation. At the moment, at the beginning of September, we record 120% more requests for accreditation than in the same period last year. For those who will not be able to come to Rome between October 11 and 15 to attend in person, MIA's digital platform will be active again this year also, which will also allow remote access to all sessions (live and on-demand)."

Why audiovisual professionals have to attend MIA?
"Because MIA is a market event conceived with real editorial care, a unique and effective moment of encounter, with specific programs for different formats and genres and a focus on innovation for the creative industries. It is also an essential platform to learn about the many opportunities that Italy can offer: from financing to international co-production schemes, and to discover the excellence of Italian creativity, talent and production companies."