Joséphine Letang: "Our strategy is to respond to the buyers' needs very quickly"

At the last Unifrance-Rendez Vous Le Havre, ARTE Distribution has screened the first episodes of its ambitious new animation series "The Legends of Paris: A Tale of The 19th Century Artistic Scene" (4x52') Produced By Silex Films, and Arte France. The series dives into the heart of 19th century bustling Paris, following the adventures and destinies of legendary artists such as Hugo, Sand, Berlioz, and Balzac. This original creation blend documentary accuracy with the codes of fiction. "It is so exceptional in the storytelling and brings all the audience in the story, into History. Furthermore, the series is visually exceptional. The production work is equivalent to producing two animated feature films. With a team of 90 people who created 2000 settings and more than 30 characters. It’s truly extraordinary.” said Joséphine Letang, Head of International Distribution & Marketing at ARTE Distribution, in an exclusive interview with Señal News. "We already have a lot of pre-sales and interest," she anticipated.

Another ARTE Distribution key project is "Ramses II Secrets of a Pharaoh" (3x52’) that explores Ramesses II, Ancient Egypt’s great builder and warrior, revealing little-known facts through 3D reconstructions and expert interviews. "We very strongly believe in this documentary," mentioned Letang. "It offers a fresh perspective on Ramses II’s reign by exploring his military triumphs, his architectural feats, and the complexities of his life. It’s a captivating title for us because it tells his story in a way that hasn’t been seen before, blending expert insight with a different approach to storytelling. It also perfectly complements our lineup of ancient history titles, offering a fresh and immersive way for audiences to connect with the past. We are confident this program will resonate with our buyers and attract a broader range of partners," she added.

ARTE Distribution also anticipated they have been doing a lot of new acquisitions for the upcoming MIPCOM. "We will continue to highlight our cinema icons collection, alongside a strong line-up focused on science programs and a highlight on ancient history titles. Moreover, we have a compelling offer around the U.S. election, including a portrait of Kamala Harris," she asserted. "As a generalist distributor, our catalog is large and we can propose quality documentaries that respond to the different needs of channels and partners, fitting with both linear and non-linear broadcasters worldwide," she said.

BEYOND DIFFICULTIES
The export of French programs has been affected for global facts that have hit the entire industry, lower acquisition budgets and a contraction of the North American market in particular, less risk-taking on the part of buyers, and longer negotiations between partners. Despite these circumstances, ARTE Distribution has adapted to this current landscape and continuing doing business. “Our strategy is to listen closely to our buyers and partners and respond thoughtfully to their needs, tailoring our selection to find the right programs for their audiences," Letang admitted. "We have to be very adaptable to the buyers, to be flexible to their needs, finding new ideas, new windows, new possibilities and opportunities," she remarked.

Next year, ARTE Distribution will intensify its activities in Latin America and Asia. "We have a very strong relationship but we really want to move on and be stronger on those territories. That will be the focus for next year," she asserted.