Buying Resurgence Seen in Cannes. Columbia Not Exhibiting. L.A. Screenings Looming Over.

The new convention center (Palais) in Cannes, France, will open April 22-28 for international TV distributors to present their products to program buyers, who seem to be in a seemingly better buying mood this year. Last year, the Monte-Carlo TV market took away most of the negotiating initiative, at least for the European buyers. However, with slower Monte Carlo and NATPE markets this year, the Cannes event could reach its peak.

This time, more than 278 exhibitors will be located on one floor in an area double that of the old Palais. The larger floor space did not significantly increase the number of exhibitors, but has allowed larger booths, which has prompted some distributors to complain about increased costs.

Changing buying patterns and program release schedules don't seem to be affecting this convention. However, several factors are now converging upon the market, inlcuding the increasingly popular Los Angeles Screenings in early May, where major international buyers screen the U.S. TV networks' new season's programs, pilots and commitments. Other important factors are the proliferation of TV markets worldwide, increasing marketing and exhibition costs and a depressed worldwide economy, which, in certain cases, affect license fees.

However, the key to the success of such a market is said to lie with the so-called "majors." This year, Columbia Pictures International will not be exhibiting in Cannes. Reportedly, next month the heads of three additional major U.S. companies will meet to decide whether to pull out of the market. The larger distributors are said to have foreign offices, and are therefore always in touch with their clients overseas. The "majors," with their large libraries, tend to see themselves as the market's main attraction, implying that their large expenditures represent a subsidy to the smaller distributors, who are otherwise said to be shunned by buyers. The Cannes' market organizers seem to be balancing the needs of the large distributors with parallel events such as the EBU Program Committee meeting, and the Second Interaudiovisuel seminar (April 23-24). Interaudiovisuel is also responsible for the organization of the annual Latin American Screenings in Paris, April 19-20, which usually attract 60-70 Latin American buyers bound for the Cannes market. Similarly, another government service, Sofirad, responsible for the distribution of French TV programs (TF1, A2, FR3, SFP, INA) in Arab countries, will be presenting a series of new French programs with Arabic subtitles, as well as documentaries dubbed into Arabic. Among the buyers, Americans will be prominent, with Home Box Office's Fred Cohen, Jane de Knate, James Warner and Lucy Chudson who will be scouting for co-production partners and finished product, especially in the family area.

Nickeldeon's Gerry Laybourne needs 20 half-hours for her children's series, The Third Eye, about children who experience the paranormal, and 160 half-hours of series for 1984. Since Laybourne finds dubbing and subtitles problematic for her audience, she prefers series from the U.K., Australia, New Zealand, Canada or the U.S., but she is willing to buy specials and concerts in any language.

From Ten Network, Gregory Coote and Robert Donoghue will be seeking English-language programs. "Basically, Australian TV is mainline U.S. and U.K. material, and the prime time schedule is very similar to the U.S. networks," Coote said.

Seven Network's Ted Thomas and Glen Kinging will be using Cannes as "a meeting place to discuss upcoming U.S. and British network product," and are open to acquiring miniseries or made-for-TV movies.

Australia's Nine Network will be represented by Russ Watkins, Len Mauger and Russ Plapp. They are looking for prime time shows for immediate programming, as well as to stock their library.

Representing TV New Zealand's international marketing interests will be head of TNVZ Enterprises, Maurice Smyth. Des Monaghan and Barrie Parkin will be looking to acquire "kiddult" action series and one-hour action adventure documentaries.

NHK, the only public channel in Japan, will be looking to buy classic films of the '40s and '50s, miniseries, quality programs from Eastern Europe, Australia, Asia and South America, NHK is also interested in co-production agreements. In attendance will be Sadao Nakamichi, among others. Degeto-Film GmbH will be represented by Edeltraud Pipping. The German company will be looking to acquire feature films, made-for-TV movies and series.

Interaudiovisuel's Soune Wade, l., will be organizing a conference on "Television and its audience." From TF1, Monique Trnka, l., and Catherine Ancian, r., will be seeking co-production partners.