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Gilles Pélisson, the President of Unifrance, says the halo effect of the Paris Olympics will boost the country’s film and TV sectors.

The French capital hosted a successful Games and currently has the ongoing Paralympics. With the indie film and international TV sectors facing challenges, could the shine from Olympics rub off on the French business? Pélisson thinks so.

“The tourism industry is saying that welcoming the Olympics to France is going to be beneficial for the entire country for the next three-to-five years. I believe that if there is one hot country at the moment [it is France] because we can capitalize on Paris,” he said.

Unifrance promotes French TV and film internationally. Its President, Pélisson, is the former Group CEO and Chairman of French commercial TV giant TF1. He was speaking after figures for French TV exports were unveiled at the Rendez Vous event in Le Havre. The numbers told...

With French production continuing to grow in all major genres, the 30th edition of the Unifrance Rendez-Vous market kicks off for the first time in Le Havre, welcoming international buyers from around the globe.

Last year, some 200 international buyers from 40 countries, along with 58 French sales companies, attended the Rendez-Vous, and organizers are expecting similar numbers for the current edition.

Speaking with Variety about this year’s event, Unifrance’s president, Gilles Pélisson, and executive director, Daniela Elstner, offer their insights on the latest trends, the significant role of the Rendez-Vous for the industry, and the growing international reach of French programming, from high-end drama to animation and documentary fare.

While international streamers have been pulling back from original production, French productions continue to grow in all major areas, Pélisson points out.

“French production has experienced steady growth over the last years, especially when it comes to fiction. Animation has always been very strong,...

The Unifrance Rendez-Vous is a moment to sample the best of what’s to come from the French TV sector as 60 distributors launch the shows they hope will become the next international Gallic hit. This year, 200 international buyers from 40 countries are expected in Le Havre. With 700 programs available to screen, even the most diligent buyer can’t see everything, so Deadline selected five projects that will be in the spotlight in Le Havre.

The roster spans a new outing for a much-loved masked crime-fighter, an animated art series, offbeat procedurals and a slice of Parisien high life.

From The Producers Of Call My Agent, Ça c’est Paris Takes The Stage

Federation arrives in Le Havre with Ça c’est Paris, a show it has coproduced with Michel Feller and Dominique Besnehard’s Mon Voisin, which made the original Call My Agent.

The series follows Tout-Paris, a fictional cabaret renowned for...