JOSÉPHINE LETANG: "WE'VE PUT A STRONG FOCUS THIS YEAR ON NON-LINEAR"

Listening to buyers and partners has long been at the heart of Arte Distribution's strategy, and today that commitment is more crucial than ever. "The decision-making process is longer, so we try to provide our clients with as much information as possible at every stage, from synopsis and extracts during production to rough cuts later on. We are always listening to the market's needs," said Joséphine Letang, Head of Sales.

That approach is paying off with major sales, including the recent success of "The Mystery of the Desert Kites," directed by Nathalie Laville and produced by Ma Drogue À Moi for France Télévisions. PBS Science Series, NOVA, BBC, and ZDF are on board as international partners. "We are very proud of the amazing work done by the producers and the trust of such high-quality broadcasters. It's just the beginning of the life of the show, and it will continue," Letang explained.

The premium archaeology documentary, filmed across dramatic landscapes of Saudi Arabia and Jordan, follows two international teams of archaeologists as they investigate thousands of ancient geoglyphs, massive stone structures shaped like kites, dating back to around 7000 BC.

Arte is also preparing to launch "Polychromia, Archaeology of Colors - Ancient Greece," a visually striking documentary on colors in Ancient Greece, already pre-bought by NHK in Japan and OTE in Greece. Using cutting-edge technologies such as 3D animations and advanced scientific methods, "Polychromia" reveals the vibrant polychromy that once adorned temples, sculptures, and everyday objects in classical antiquity.

Arte's line-up also includes "The Yamnaya: Our Forgotten Ancestors," bringing to light a major archaeological discovery that reshapes the understanding of the continent's origins. An international team of archaeologists, geneticists, linguists, and other specialists is using modern science, especially archaeogenetics, to understand what happened at the dawn of European civilization.

Beyond history, World War II, and archaeology, the pillars of Arte's catalog, the distributor has been expanding into new genres. "If we need to develop a new part of the catalog, we will do it. Recently, we extended our offer to live concerts, with classical, jazz, and even pop culture, with the latest Iggy Pop concert, building a whole new collection," Letang stated.

THE DIGITAL SPACE

Another strong focus for Arte has been the growth of digital opportunities. "We've put a strong focus this year on non-linear, enlarging our partnerships in AVOD and YouTube. It's been a priority, and we expect to see results very soon," Letang emphasized. FAST channels, however, remain limited in Europe compared to the United States. "Here we are more used to free TV, so the need is not the same," she added.

As another keystone of its strategy, Arte continues to strengthen its relationships with public broadcasters worldwide, while constantly building new partnerships in every territory. "It's a step-by-step process, but we are always analyzing how to position our catalog best internationally," Letang expressed.

Looking ahead to Mipcom, Arte Distribution will showcase new films and documentaries with a strong editorial focus on science (including a special spotlight on space), current affairs (true to Arte's DNA of staying close to the news with in-depth analysis), and environmental issues.