Talking about the 30th edition of Rendez-vous in Le Havre, Unifrance shared with Prensario Internacional how the market involved to be one of the main in on the industry agenda. Sarah Hemar, Director of Audiovisual at Unifrance said: ‘This is the first year in Le Havre, where the same formula has been applied, gathering the same elements that have worked very well for 30 years, as this is the 30th edition.
For this edition, Unifrance repeat the formula, offering a video library, a marketplace, and various events surrounding all the event logistics. ‘This works very, very well, and everyone greatly appreciates this formula since they can stay very focused on formal and informal meetings. Additionally, it fosters a great sense of community, as we are all together for four days’, added Hemar.
This year Rendez-vous had representation from 40 countries, along with 56 French sales companies offering around 700-800 programs in the video library and approximately 180 buyers. ‘As far as we know, it’s a somewhat difficult year for everyone, with budgets being reduced for both distributors and buyers, but it seems there are still many meetings happening’, expressed the director of audiovisual at Unifrance.
Having the event for the first time in Le Havre, it was possible by the support from the city council and the region, both in financial aid and logistical support, explained Hemar. ‘We’ve had the personal support of the mayor, who came to welcome us, and tonight we will also see the president of the region’, added, just bofere the dinner sponsored by government.
‘We never commit to holding the Rendez-vous in the same place for several years because the budget is annual’, said the exec, who also sees its work dynamics as loyal with each city. ‘Over the 30 years of the event, we spent 18 years in Biarritz and more than 5 years in Saint Tropez. We are loyal; we like to settle in. Moving requires a lot of energy, discovering many things, and we want to stay. There are always things to improve, which is normal. But I do think we will stay, or at least I hope so’.
