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A Rendezvous with the Best of Latest French TV Offerings
The Unifrance Rendez-Vous is the prime event to explore the upcoming gems from the French TV sector as 60 distributors unveil shows with potential for global success. This year, Le Havre will host 200 international buyers from 40 countries. With 700 programs available, even the most diligent buyer can’t see everything, so here are five standout projects to watch at Le Havre.
The lineup includes a beloved masked crime-fighter, an animated art series, unique procedurals, and a glimpse into the high life of Paris.
From The Producers Of Call My Agent, Ça c’est Paris Takes The Stage
Federation brings Ça c’est Paris to Le Havre, a production in collaboration with Michel Feller and Dominique Besnehard’s Mon Voisin, the creators of Call My Agent.
Set in the fictional cabaret Tout-Paris in Paris’s Latin quarter, the series follows François Berthille who strives to revive his family-run venue against corporate pressures. The narrative also delves into the lives of the cabaret’s dancers.
Directed and helmed by Marc Fitoussi, it features a starry cast including Alex Lutz, Nicolas Maury, and Monica Bellucci as herself.
Guillaume Pommier, Federation’s Co-Head of International Sales, believes the star-studded cast and Parisian setting will attract buyers. “We have an amazing cast, plus it’s taking place in Paris,” he says. France 2 will broadcast it domestically, with a possible streaming deal in negotiations.
Tom & Lola Plays Into A Light Crime Trend
Tom & Lola, Mediawan’s major launch, merges procedural crime with feel-good family dynamics. Mediawan-backed DEMD brings it, leveraging their expertise from series like Tandem.
According to Randall Broman, Head of International Distribution, Scripted Content at Mediawan Rights, “It blends beautifully the procedural crime genre with compelling feelgood family elements.” Broman sees potential markets in Italy, Spain, Germany, and the CEE region, with expectations of interest from the U.S., LatAm, Japan, and beyond.
Art History Gets Animated: The Legends of Paris
Paris’s fine art scene and France’s animation prowess converge in The Legends of Paris: a Tale of the 19th Century Artistic Scene, an animated doc series spotlighting figures like Hugo, Balzac, and Baudelaire.
Produced by Paris-based Silex, known for their work on The Adventurers of Modern Art, the series involved a 90-strong team. Arte is handling sales. Joséphine Létang, Head of International Distribution, emphasizes that “animation vividly brings events to life,” appealing to viewers who enjoy compelling stories.
The Adventurers of Modern Art sold into over 25 territories, and Arte hopes for similar success with The Legends of Paris.
A Total Eclipse of Le Havre
The Eclipse, a whodunit set in Aubrac, is produced by Carma Films. The plot follows female cops Manue and Johanna investigating mysterious events after a teenager accidentally shoots his girlfriend.
Emmanuelle Guilbart, joint-CEO & Founder of APC, notes, “The powerful image of the eclipse marks a struggle between light and darkness.” APC plans to finalize deals for the series at Le Havre.
Zorro Rides Into Market
In 1821, Don Diego de la Vega becomes Mayor of Los Angeles and must revive his Zorro persona to fight injustice. Jean Dujardin stars in this new Zorro series by France Télévisions Distribution, set for France Télévisions and Paramount+ in select regions.
Marc Dujardin, one of the producers, explains, “At the outset, we had fun imagining our ego-driven Zorro.” Noé Debré, co-creator and writer, highlights Jean Dujardin’s role as crucial, likening him to other exceptional TV comedy figures.
France Télévisions Distribution will launch the show at Le Havre, aiming to blend a classic Los Angeles setting with contemporary humor. Julia Schulte, FTD’s SVP, International Sales, emphasizes the mix of a well-known global IP with brilliant French talent.
