For the first time in its history, NATPE Europe Market in Prague turned a spotlight on a single country. This means that Poland was noticed and its strong position in the international market appreciated. The Polish Day was sponsored by TVN, ATM Grupa and Monolith Films. The event also marked the first time when the three companies exhibited together at the same booth. Agnieszka Holland, invited by ATM Grupa, was the honorary guest. The event, which took place over four days from 23 to 26 June, provided a showcase for major television and film production companies from Central and Eastern Europe. The Polish Programming Pavilion was one of the most impressive.
“The growth and development of Poland’s TV industry represents a host of opportunities to the international market alongside a wealth of valuable experience for its neighboring regions and we’re delighted to present this must-attend event in Prague”, commented NATPE/Content First President and CEO Rod Perth.
As Rod Perth stated several times and on several occasions, the Poles made a very good impression, and the selection of the country could not have been better.
Andrzej Muszyński, President and CEO of ATM Grupa S.A., said: “There’s a lot happening in Poland at the moment. We are a relatively big market, and after a long period of domination of foreign formats, there is a growing interest in domestic ones, at least with regard to plots. Adaptations were a wonderful experience and a learning curve, but I believe we are ready to tap into our own ideas. They are more marketable as they tell stories closer to our reality. Poland exported formats before, but not on such a scale. I don’t think anyone ever dreamed that our productions would cross the borders of the Eastern block. This has changed. The Scandinavians had their 5 minutes, perhaps now it is time for us”, added Andrzej Muszyński.
NATPE Europe Market’s special guest was Agnieszka Holland, who was accompanied during the conference by Rod Perth and Andrzej Muszyński. The internationally renowned director fielded questions about her experiences working in Poland and abroad. She also revealed her plans for the near future: directing two episodes of “House of Cards” and the first episode of a four-film series based on the books of celebrated Wrocław-based author Marek Krajewski, “Death in Breslau”. She added it was her dream to helm a second season of the political fiction series “Prime Minister”.
NATPE/Europe replaces NATPE Budapest, which was known until 2011 as Discop.
Media contact:
Marta Lipecka
mlipecka@atmgrupa.pl
