Unifrance Rendez-Vous, one of the world’s largest markets for French audiovisual programs, opens its doors today for its second consecutive year on the Normandy coast. This year’s event, taking place from September 1 to 5, 2025, builds on the success of previous editions, including a notable 20% increase in attendance compared to pre-pandemic levels.
The event has consistently demonstrated its significance in promoting French audiovisual content globally. In 2023, sales of French audiovisual programs reached €203.4 million, a slight decrease of 5.3% compared to 2022’s record €214.8 million, but still the third time in 30 years sales have exceeded the €200 million threshold. Drama continued to lead export genres, accounting for 36.6% of total sales. While animation sales saw an 11.2% decline in 2023, it remained the second-largest export genre. The event’s consistent performance highlights its role in the industry, and attendance figures at other Unifrance Rendez-Vous events, such as the New York edition, have shown increases, with the 2023 New York event seeing a 20% jump in ticket sales compared to pre-pandemic levels.
The 2025 event kicks off on Monday, September 1, with an evening reception at MuMA, the Musée d’Art Moderne André Malraux, hosted by the Mairie du Havre. Another evening event will be held on Wednesday, September 3, at the Palais Bénédictine in Fécamp, at the invitation of the Région Normandie.
Market and screening schedule
The video library at the Carré des Docks will open exclusively for buyers from Tuesday, September 2. This dedicated viewing platform has achieved success among executives, with content including fiction, animation, documentary, live performance, and entertainment. These programs will be accessible both on-site in the video library and via the event’s viewing platform.
Concurrently, French distributors will participate in a series of conferences from 10 AM to 12 PM, featuring the announcement of 2024 export figures for French audiovisual programs, a presentation co-hosted by the CNC and Unifrance.
The main market opens on Tuesday, September 2, at 1:30 PM, for member meetings and will run until the end of the day on Thursday, September 4. The video library will remain open to buyers for the duration of the market.
The gala evening is scheduled for Tuesday, September 2, at 7 PM. It will feature an exclusive screening of the first episode of the fiction series Vendetta (6×52’), created by Ange Basterga, written by Ange Basterga, Pierre-Marie Mosconi, and Emmanuelle Michaux, produced by CPB Films, and distributed by France tv distribution. The series, a Corsican family saga spanning from the 1990s to the present, stars Thierry Neuvic and Vahina Giocante. Artistic teams will be present for the screening at Pathé Docks Vauban, followed by a dinner at the Carré des Docks auditorium.
The closing evening will take place on Thursday, September 4, at 7 PM, at Magic Mirrors. It will highlight the series Barbapapa en famille! (104×11’), created, written, and directed by Alice Taylor and Thomas Taylor, and distributed by FESTIVAAL Distribution, in celebration of its 55th anniversary.
Featured productions
Throughout the event, accredited guests will have the opportunity to discover upcoming productions through dinners and screenings:
- Nature: The Call for Reconciliation (105’), a documentary written and directed by Yann Arthus-Bertrand and distributed by Federation Studios, will be screened at Pathé Docks Vauban cinema at midday Tuesday. The film traces the history of life and advocates for humanity’s reconciliation with nature.
- The drama series Phoenix (6×45′), created by Louis Aubert and Matthieu Bernard, co-written by Clément Marchand, directed by Franck Brett, and distributed by Mediawan Rights, will be screened at Pathé Docks Vauban cinema at midday Wednesday. Starring Natacha Lindinger, François Berléand, Marie Colomb, and Léo Legrand, the series follows an underground organization combating climate inaction.
- Season 2 of the dramatic series Escort Boys (6×45’), written by Marc Syrigas, Ruben Alves, and Yael Lebrati Attuil, directed by Ruben Alves, and distributed by Wild Bunch TV, will be screened at Pathé Docks Vauban cinema at midday Thursday. The series reunites its four protagonists, played by Guillaume Labbé, Thibaut Evrard, Corentin Fila, and Simon Ehrlacher.
A wide array of French distribution companies are confirmed for the 2025 edition: About Premium Content, Ampersand, Andana Films, APC Kids, Arte Distribution, Autour de Minuit, Balanga, Beliane, Cinétévé Sales, CLPB Rights (Incognita), Dandelooo, Federation International, Festivaal Distribution, Film & Picture, Folivari International, France tv distribution, GAD, Gaumont, Gaumont Animation, Hari International, INA, Java Films, Kwanza, Lukarn, Mediatoon Distribution, Mediawan Kids & Family, Mediawan Rights, Millimages, Moon-Keys International Content, Only Distrib, PGS Entertainment, Prime Entertainment Group, Seventine, SND M6 Group, Studio 120, STUDIO TF1, STUDIOCANAL, Studiofact Rights, Telmondis Distribution, Terranoa, The Party Film Sales, Windrose, Xilam Animation, and ZED.
