With more than 400 registered buyers, NATPE Budapest inaugurates its 2024 edition with good numbers, including over 125 exhibitors and delegates from more than 65 countries. The event, organized by Brunico Communications, already shows an increase in attendance, attracting those coming to Budapest to explore the promising CEE market. Held at the InterContinental Hotel in the heart of the Hungarian capital, the event runs until June 27.

The market and event are among the last on the region's agenda for the first half of the year. It stands out particularly for its strong delegations from the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, the Ukraine Content Club, Unifrance, Audiovisual from Spain (ICEX), and a carefully curated list of regional buyers. Notable attendees include Gabor Balogh, Director of Marketing, TV Distribution and HE, CEE, SPT; Ralf Bartoleit, CEO, bTV Media Group; Agata Borowiecka, Director of TV Rights Acquisition, Telewizja Polsat; and Georgi Chakarov, President and CEO, TVBIZZ Group, among others, who are also part of the conference lineup.

‘The goal is to take the success of 2023 to another level and continue to be the key scenario for business development in this emerging and promising region. This edition celebrates new format concepts from the CEE region with the greatest international potential through the ‘Pitch & Play’ format competition. Additionally, screenings will be hosted by notable companies such as Antenna Studios, Sony Pictures Television, and ZDF Studios. Keynote speakers will lead discussions on the latest trends shaping the future of TV and content consumption, alongside new networking opportunities’, comments Claire Macdonald, SVP, Executive Director of NATPE.

Yesterday, A+E held the market's first screening, highlighting their seasonal slate to buyers in the region. Also, Alexander Rodnyansky, director/producer, was interviewed by Formatbiz director M. Chiara Duranti on a panel focused on unscripted production in CEE: ‘This year, we're much more active in movies. We have eight movies in production’, he said.

Additionally, Kocowa, the streaming platform supported by South Korean broadcasters KBS, MBC, and SBS, along with telecom company SK Telecom in the U.S., shared insights into the industry, including partnership opportunities with other streamers, pay platforms, or telcos to achieve wider distribution for its service. ‘We always open our doors to potential partners in a market; that's our strategy’, said KunHee Park, CEO.

Other highlights of the event include the "CEE CEO Visions" panel, featuring prominent industry leaders such as Stella Litou from Pro Plus and RTL Croatia, Ralf Bartoleit from bTV Media Group, and Pavel Stantchev from TV2 Hungary & Planet TV Group Slovenia. The session “AI and Technology: Redefining Entertainment in a Connected World” that will see Elif Dagdeviren from Calinos Films presenting on the impact of artificial intelligence as a transformative tool for business.

Finally, new to this year's event, Realscreen is hosting a special segment dedicated to the unscripted genre, ahead of its dedicated Summit next year. This segment includes panels and networking sessions highlighting opportunities for unscripted producers in the CEE and beyond, featuring case studies of major formats currently gaining traction globally and insights into the programming needs of key buyers.

Francisco Ferreyra and Alberto Buitron

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