MIPIM sets record attendance

The upcoming MIPIM fair looks like being a bumper year. Some 25,000 visitors are expected, 16% up on last year. According to the organisers, a number of regions are seeing surges in growth. They include the Russian Federation (up 77%), Sweden (24%), Denmark (40%) and the Middle East generally (31%). Brazil and Mexico are also up.

They will be meeting in a Palais that this year extends to nearly 24,000m² with the addition of extra facilities on the top level of the Riviera that was inaugurated at this year's Midem.

This year's Speed Matching projects that connects projects with investors were chosen by a panel of investment experts. They include Mixed Use, Hotel & Tourism, Office Buildings, Hospitals and Funds. “The submissions ranged from projects in newly emerging markets to in-fill sites in mature economies. Anyone viewing the presentations at MIPIM will have his fingers on the pulse of creative real estate development worldwide” said James Fetgatter, President of AFIRE (Association of Foreign Investment in Real Estate) and President of the Jury.

Al-Jazeera chief to talk at MIPDOC

To celebrate its 10th anniversary, the MIPDOC fair (April 14-15) will feature a keynote speech from Al Jazeera’s director general, Wadah Khanfar. He will be talking about their decision to launch a documentary channel covering current affairs, social issues, culture, art and religion. This follows the launch of the English version of their news channel.

Other highlights of MIPDOC this year will be a showcase of recent Italian production and conferences covering online distribution, a pitching session and the International Trailblazers.

Supermodel Diane Kruger to MC the Cannes festival

In the long tradition of having stunning women host the Cannes ceremonies, it has been announced that German übermodel Diane Kruger ("Troy" and "Joyeux Noël") will be the Master of Ceremonies on the opening and closing nights (anything wrong in calling her a Mistress of Ceremonies?). Kruger, 30, follows Monica Bellucci and Cécile de France on the red carpet. French actor Vincent Cassel doesn't quite qualify as a stunning woman.

As mentioned elsewhere, Britain's Stephen Frears will be the jury president this year.

Cannes Lions open for entries

The annual advertising fair, Cannes Lions (17-23 June 2007), is now open for entries. There are 10 sections in all, with different cut-off dates:

Entry deadlines:
Press Lions Entries: 9 March 2007
Outdoor Lions Entries: 9 March 2007
Film Lions Entries: 9 March 2007
Radio Lions Entries: 16 March 2007
Direct Lions Entries: 16 March 2007
Promo Lions Entries: 16 March 2007
Media Lions Entries: 16 March 2007
Cyber Lions Entries: 23 March 2007
Titanium and Integrated Lions Entries: 23 March 2007

In related news, it has also been announced that one of Brazil's most respected communications professionals, Geraldo Rocha Azevedo, has been appointed as the 2007 Promo Lions Jury President. For full details, visit Cannes Lions.

Cannesmarket.com changes name

Over the past year or so, the Cannesmarket.com database, peopled by the folk that attended the Marché du Film during the Cannes Film festival, has been spreading its wings. It now acts as a joint database for the AFM, Toronto and Berlinale festivals - making it the single most important database for the worldwide move industry. So sooner or later, the reference to Cannes would have to go. So ladeez and gennelmen, please welcome Cinando.com, a comprehensive listing of buyers, sellers, exhibitors and films for the four foremost film festivals and markets.

If you're already in the database, don't worry. Your user name and password have not changed. Everyone else has another few weeks to work out under which section they should register. The actual registrations start on February 5. So check Cinando.com then.