Viewpoints: Acquisition strategies
Bjorn Jensen
Managing Director
Ginger Foot Films
Germany
What are your acquisition strategies?
As a distributor, I am looking for high quality documentaries that tell a strong story and are emotionally linked to one or more characters. I am also looking for documentary series on interesting subjects. Worldwide rights should be available, as well as an English language version. For very promising projects in development, I also offer my participation as a co-producer in the financing stage. As TV participation is steadily decreasing, I believe that it is becoming increasingly important for independent producers to engage in an international network of partners and build lasting relationships.
Roots Germania
What products are you looking for?
Documentaries with strong storytelling. Social issues, biographies, current affaires, art, music, culture, history and travelogues with a length of preferably 52 or 90 minutes.
Can you name the most successful titles that you acquired this year?
"Hidden Children" by Kirsten Esch, "State of Suspension" by Benny Brunner, "She is a Boy I knew" by Gwen Haworth, "Roots Germania" by Mo Asumang, "Flowers of Rwanda" by David Munoz and "Lost Holiday" by Luci Kralova
What products will be in demand during MIPCOM 2009?
There will still be a steady demand for classic doc formats, although stations are increasingly looking for hybrid forms that could also perform well on the Internet as electronic-sell-through or streaming video. While the constant availability of films in the internet is very attractive for consumers, I believe that the generation 30 + still prefers choices to be made for them by TV stations. The various on-demand-platforms are still too difficult to access and handle for an average couch potato. But, with an intuitive interface, fast data connections and a reasonable and easy payment model, the way TV is being used will be changed. I believe the future to be "video podcasting", where a user is being suggested titles based on a profile that he/she has activated or upon an interest group that the user has joined. But, this « video podcasting » needs to be integrated in the TV set. |
