TV France Int'l takes action abroad.

Founded eight years ago, TV France International (TVFI) is an association of French television companies created for the sole purpose of nurturing France's television production and sales organizations and assisting them in their continuing effort to expand their activities into the international market.

Though it started out slowly with some 40 members, the alliance now boasts 170 members and has a catalog of more than 13,000 programs available for purchase. TVFI currently represents 80 percent of France's producers, distributors and broadcasters and operates with an annual budget of approximately US$3.6 million and a staff of 12 individuals, as well as an administrative board made up up of 11 members.

One of the most popular and unique services TVFI provides for its members is an international database (or BDI for Base de Donnees Internationale), which analyzes information concerning international markets that members should attend in accordance with specific programs. Also available at the BDI is a comprehensive list of names, addresses, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses for acquisitions executives throughout the world.

In addition to a home-based annual event, the association organizes the Miami Showcase, where French TV execs meet up with representatives from Latin American TV channels. This second annual event, which took place in early July, was held at the National Hotel in Miami Beach.

Earlier this year, 32 French producers and distributors participated in the TVFI-organized 5th annual Tokyo and Seoul Showcases (pictured).

But it is TVFI's flagship event, the Rendez-Vous, also known as the French TV Screenings, that is the real draw for most of its members. The mini-market, now in its eighth year, introduces French TV companies to buyers from around the world for four days of greetings, screenings and meetings in Saint-Tropez with some 163 buyers from 35 countries representing 80 foreign television channels. The Rendez-Vous takes place September 913 in the resort town in the South of France.

Beginning operations in 1994, TVFI is the brainchild of president Jean-Louis Guillaud (formerly president of TF1), who, with the support of French TV executives Herve Michel of France 2 and Jean Rouilly of Europe Images, founded the organization with the singular aim of promoting and marketing French audiovisual productions.

In 1999, total foreign sales for the French TV industry reached US$263 million -- US$114 million from direct sales and US$149 million from co-productions and pre-sales. French investment for domestic productions (nor including news, game and variety shows) in the same year was US$1 billion -- US$141 million from production, US$140 million from foreign co-productions and US$719 million from state subsidies -- with international sales returns hitting 26.3 percent.

Due to these marketing and sales activities, sales of French programs have steadily increased for the past six years -- Italy alone spent US$17 million on French TV programs in 1999, while Germany surpassed them in 2000 -- and TVFI could well take the credit for this marked rise in earnings.