Mifed mulls extra day to ease sked
Demise of London Screenings has strengthened event's position
This year's Mifed began Sunday and runs through Thursday, and got an early kickoff from Saturday's Pre-Screenings, at which a number of sellers unveiled key titles ahead of the general market.
However, many execs do little business on Thursday because they are readying to travel home.
"We had a little extra breathing space this year thanks to the Pre-Screenings, but even with that, the continuing demand for screening slots and theaters indicates that the need for further growth is still there," Mifed product manager Elena Lloyd said.
"I really hope we can find a way to make this happen so I don't have to keep being attacked by clients who can't get all their product shown," she added.
The virtual demise of the London Screenings this year has strengthened Mifed's position. But the Italian mart still faces a threat from its chief international competitor, AFM, which is mulling a move from February to fall.
The longer mart would probably be welcomed by most sales companies who complained about the tight time sked this year. It has certainly accelerated dealmaking, adding urgency to Mifed that it would otherwise have lacked.
But sellers and buyers have complained of working under the time pressure. "I've had to turn clients away," one top sales agent said.
Lloyd anticipates a final decision on the 2003 market dates by the end of the year.
(John Hopewell contributed to this report.)
