Here is the rewritten content: MIA 2024: Key Takeaways Buyers at the 10th edition of Rome's MIA film and TV market are looking for feelgood content, w
Here is the rewritten content:
MIA 2024: Key Takeaways
Buyers at the 10th edition of Rome’s MIA film and TV market are looking for feelgood content, with protagonists overcoming challenges by the end of the film. Sales companies are finding it tough to sell dramas, and US filmmakers are finding niche audiences.
Buyers want feelgood content
Robert Aaronson, EVP at US distributor Cohen Media Group, is on the lookout for films with a "slightly more positive upbeat theme" that have "a slightly more feelgood quality to them." TV commissioners are favoring safer renewals and long-running series over first-run commissions.
TV streamer’s impact on content
Ampere Analysis’s Guy Bisson noted that streamers are becoming more broadcast-like, favoring keeping subscribers over customer acquisition. The death of the box set has seen a shift towards maintaining engagement over many weeks. Crime is the biggest genre, followed by comedy and drama, with lower-cost scripted content on the rise.
Licensing and co-productions on the rise
Sony Pictures Television head of creative, Lauren Stein, emphasized the importance of IP in selling shows, saying "there’s just less original ideas right now getting made." Co-productions and licensing content that has performed well on smaller platforms are becoming more attractive to streamers.
Budget pressure mounts
Mike Goodridge, founder of UK producer Good Chaos, stressed the need for more modest budgets, saying "we have to get back to a stage where investors can see a return." Frederic Fiore, president of film investor Logical Pictures, highlighted the importance of budget in attracting investors, stating "the budget a movie is made for is key to the success for investors."
Germany’s film subsidies in need of change
Germany’s planned changes to its film subsidies will introduce a tax rebate of 30% and investment obligations for streamers, which could generate an additional €600m for German film and TV production per year. Malte Grunert, founder and managing director at Germany’s Amusement Park, emphasized the importance of European subsidy systems in attracting investors and reducing risk.
Distribution crisis
Good Chaos’ Mike Goodridge warned of a "real crisis in distribution," stating that traditional independent distributors are not moving with the times to adapt to changing audience behavior. Agencies like CAA’s Benjamin Kramer highlighted the success of niche films, such as those catering to conservative audiences or animation, which can still perform well despite the competition from larger studios.
MIA 2024: A Co-production Focus
Despite the challenges, MIA 2024 has carved out a strong industry offer, featuring top producers, senior TV executives, and co-production opportunities. Italian and French sellers had stands in the main hall, and the event is renowned for its pitching, works-in-progress, and showcase sessions. MIA is also a popular destination for meeting European co-production partners.
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