EVENTS / CONTENT / COMPANIES
The largest association dedicated to global content based in the US and other events and companies in the international TV industry have announced measures to sanction Russia’s actions. Among them MIPTV and Series Mania
NATPE, which brings together and concentrates buyers, producers and distributors on all television platforms, through a statement condemns the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, prohibiting the participation of Russian companies in the next Natpe Budapest International event.
“ The Ukrainian people have our full support over the barbaric and horrific invasion of their homeland by the brutal dictator Putin and his surrogates. We wish we could provide more tangible assistance, but what we can do is join the world community and prevent Russian presence from conducting commerce. Therefore, we are banning Russian companies from our upcoming international television sales market to be held in Budapest from June 27-30, 2022”. The organization said in a statement.
“We pray for the Ukrainian people and hope that they will continue their battle towards the final victory of their great independent country,” The communication concludes.
Other international events in the television sector also made decisions in the context of the war between Russia and Ukraine and implemented measures in support of the Ukrainian people, and several announced that for the time being they will cut ties with Russian delegations and companies.
MIPTV organized by RX France (formerly Reed Midem) announced that it will follow the policies and sanctions of the French government and will not allow companies, buyers, distributors, or producers from Russia in this event.
Series Mania forcefully, according to its message: it suspended the participation of Roskino (Russian state agency for the export of cinema and TV) from its next edition (March 18 to 25), and this Wednesday it appointed the Ukrainian producer Julia Sinkevych as president of the jury for the 2022 edition of its Festival and its International Competition.
For their part, several independent distributors and producers took action against the conflict. Distributors such as All3media International, BBC Studios, ITV Studios, Fremantle or Eccho Rights have announced the suspension of their business with Russia.
Others who joined are the five Hollywood studios (Disney, Sony Pictures, Warner Bros., Paramount and Universal) who have decided not to release their latest films in Russia.
“Given Ukraine’s unprovoked invasion and tragic humanitarian crisis, we are pausing the release of films in Russia, including Pixar’s upcoming Turning Red,” Disney said in a statement. “We will make future business decisions based on the evolution of the situation. In the meantime, given the scale of the emerging refugee crisis, we are working with our partner NGO’s to provide urgent aid and other humanitarian assistance to refugees.”