The 30th edition of the Unifrance Audiovisual Rendez-Vous, traditionally held in Biarritz, is set to relocate to Le Havre in 2024. Since 2007, Biarritz has been the venue for the world’s largest market dedicated to French audiovisual works.
After seventeen successful editions on the Basque coast, Unifrance aims to infuse fresh energy into the event while maintaining its highly effective format for promoting French audiovisual programs.
New Venue, same prestige
The Unifrance Rendez-Vous in Le Havre will take place in the Normandy city from September 2 to September 6, 2024. The event will host 60 French distributors and approximately 200 buyers from 50 countries, over three days of market activities. The schedule includes themed lunches, dinners, and a gala evening, introduced in 2022. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore the latest French audiovisual creations across various genres, including fiction, animation, documentary, live performance, and entertainment.
According to Unifrance, Le Havre’s geographical location, just two hours by train from Paris, offers ‘a strategic advantage’. ‘The proximity to the capital makes the market more accessible for international buyers, sellers, and artists. Known for its avant-garde and dynamic spirit, Le Havre’s city center is a UNESCO World Heritage site, making it an ideal host for the Unifrance Rendez-Vous’, commented from the organization.
Unifrance will benefit from robust support from local authorities at both city and regional levels. The Région Normandie, through its Normandie Images agency, actively supports film and audiovisual production and hosts numerous film shoots, particularly for French series. Since 2015, Le Havre has been home to the Rencontres Nationales sur les Séries du Havre, and in June 2023, it launched Les Révélations, an event celebrating the film industry and encouraging vocations in the field.
2024 Edition Highlights
Monday, September 2
- 2.30pm – 3pm: Buyers shuttle departure from Roissy CDG
- 4.30pm – 5pm: Buyers shuttle drop-off at hotel
- 6pm: Welcome Desk opening at Carré des Docks
- 7pm: Opening Night hosted by the Mayor of Le Havre at Bibliothèque Oscar Niemeyer
Tuesday, September 3
- 9am – 6pm: Market & Screening Room at Carré des Docks
- 12.30pm – 2.30pm: Lunch at Carré des Docks
- 3pm: Press Conference on 2023 French TV Export Figures, co-presented by the CNC and Unifrance
- 7pm: Gala Evening with a screening at Cinéma Pathé Docks Vauban followed by a dinner at Carré des Docks
Wednesday, September 4
- 9am – 6pm: Market & Screening Room at Carré des Docks
- 12.30pm – 2.30pm: Lunch at Carré des Docks
- Evening: Cocktail Party hosted by La Région Normandie at Les Franciscaines, Deauville (shuttle service provided)
Thursday, September 5
- 9am – 6pm: Market & Screening Room at Carré des Docks
- 12.30pm – 2.30pm: Lunch at Carré des Docks
- 7.30pm: Themed Dinner & Closing Party at Magic Mirrors
Friday, September 6
- 8am: Buyers shuttle departure to Roissy CDG (to be confirmed)
RDV 2023 Edition Key Figures
The previous edition saw the participation of 200 international buyers from 40 countries; 58 French sales companies; over 1,000 programs available on the event’s dedicated Screening Room.
