This year marks the 39th edition of MIPCOM Cannes, the annual trade show held in October. One could argue it is the largest annual celebration of entertainment content.
The MultiChoice Studios team will once again be representing our premium original African content, alongside more than 12 000 delegates from over 110 countries, including 3 000 buyers, who will all descend upon the city of Cannes.
It is one of the busiest weeks of the year, full of networking and content sharing, interspersed with keynote speakers and much-anticipated screenings.
MIPCOM is a chance to meet with industry stakeholders and participate in shaping the future of the content ecosystem.
MultiChoice Studios has once again curated a powerful line up for MIPCOM Cannes 2023. This year, in addition to new dramas such as Hartklop and crime thriller Donkerbos, there are two incredible animated titles.
Hartklop is a medical procedural drama based on the staff and patients of Beyers Naude Academic Hospital – a state hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The other series not to be missed is Donkerbos. This is the only African series selected for Berlinale Series Market Selects 2023. When the bodies of six children are found in the backwater forests of Donkerbos, a troubled detective must wrestle with her dark past and a distrustful community to catch the killer before another child is taken.
Inspired by the Nigerian football legend Jay-Jay Okocha, Jay Jay: The Chosen One is an animated series about an 11-year-old football-loving schoolboy, Austin. Blessed by animals with their special abilities, Austin becomes the superhero Jay Jay, who tackles poachers and guides his school football team to victory.
The second featured animated title is Twende. Twende and Nuru are boda boda drivers in the vibrant town of Milima. Boda bodas are bicycles and motorcycle taxis commonly found in East Africa. When they’re not causing traffic jams or scoping out the best snacks in the city, the chilled Twende and sassy Nuru constantly find adventures on the colourful African streets. This is a place where the journey is always more important than the destination. With the permanently broke Boss and speedy stuntman Kimbe at their side, they face off against Madam Mongoose and her evil tech empire, Goober, which plans to put the meddling boda boda agency out of business forever.
These titles offer unique scheduling opportunities for buyers looking to satisfy audiences’ ever-growing appetites for authentic and premium African content across a variety of genres.
Mauro Black, our Director: Content Sales & Distribution, is also really looking forward to the enhanced sales experience that the team can offer in Cannes. “This year MultiChoice Studios has paid careful attention to changing buyer patterns and has taken our screening rooms to the next level by pre-populating content packages based on genre and rights. The overall sales cycle is now quicker for our buyers as we keep up with growing demand for content produced in Africa that appeals to a global audience. To find out more and differentiate your programming with a fantastic African playlist we encourage buyers to reach out to myself and the team.”
Every moment in Cannes will be filled with exciting opportunities to expand our global voice and share our stories with the world.
