KINGSTON, Jamaica – As part of the Business of Sustainability for Studios (BOSS) programme, Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) and the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), with support from the World Bank, will be leading a second delegation with eight Jamaican animation and film production studios to the Marché International des Programmes de Communication (MIPCOM) content trade show held in Cannes, France.

The tradeshow begins on October 12, 2019.

JAMPRO said that the conference, also known as the International Market of Communications Programmes, will be a platform for Jamaican companies to promote animation projects that are completed or in development, network with international industry professionals, and seek opportunities for animation features to be produced in Jamaica as outsourcing projects.

Noting that the delegation comprises studios from the second cohort of the BOSS programme, JAMPRO said the project is aimed at supporting youth employment in the digital and animation industries (YEDAI) in Jamaica.

“MIPCOM kicks off with MIPJunior — two days of the world’s largest children’s TV industry event — and continues for four days of networking, content screenings and conferences.

This year , for the first time in Jamaica’s history, 10 Jamaican animation projects will be showcased in the Screenings Library at  MIPJunior to attract content buyers and secure co-production deals,” JAMPRO said in a release.

YEDAI Project Manager,  Margery Newland, said the OPM was pleased to support the MIPCOM 2019 delegation.

“The Government of Jamaica, in collaboration with the World Bank, is pleased to finance our second delegation of creative business owners to MIPCOM 2019. Our companies have stronger portfolios of local Intellectual Property (IP) than in previous years and the output from the companies is significantly improved over last year in quality, quantity, diversity and global appeal,” Newland said.

She explained that continuous attendance to industry events was crucial to the growth of this emerging sector.

“Consistent presence at events such as this, is important in demonstrating to the global animation community that Jamaica is serious about, and has indeed, made significant strides in the growth and development of the local industry. We are now working towards securing our place in the international markets,” she added.

Meanwhile, Film Commissioner, Renee Robinson said: “I am thrilled to once again be leading the Jamaican national delegation of animation content creators to MIPCOM, which is one of the most important content markets on the international circuit. Every year, JAMPRO identifies several key markets that we activate for presence in the film and animation industries, and we work closely with partners and the company cohorts to ensure they are prepared and ready to do business on a global scale. The selected cohorts in the BOSS programme shows significant potential for being investment-ready and commercially-viable, and have created high calibre IP which demonstrates a better understanding of the global demand.”

 “We cannot underestimate the importance of consistent presence in-market, and every year our companies gain stronger experience and a deeper international networking foothold. Many of the successes and visibility that we are starting to reap in this industry, were seeded a few years ago; and believe me, there are even more opportunities being planted now for future fruition,” Robinson added.

 The MIPCOM 2019 delegation includes: Animation Bee Studios,  George Hay Designs, CMills Art & Animation, Ms Corretta Singer – freelance animator, Orkidbox, Liquid Light Digital, ListenMi Caribbean, Esirom & Jamaica Animation Nation Network – Local Industry Association, JAMPRO said.