MIA, the international market held annually in Rome, has announced the first confirmed speakers for its ninth edition. <\/p>\n
This year, speakers at the industry event — which focuses on co-production, financing strategies and sales and distribution — include Nicole Clemens, president of Paramount of Paramount Television Studios and Paramount+ Original Scripted Series; Sara Bernstein, president of Brian Grazer and Ron Howard’s Imagine Documentaries; Marge Dean, head of Skybound Entertainment’s animation studio and president of Women in Animation; “Waltz With Bashir” director Ari Folman; Nicholas Weinstock, founder and president of Invention Studios and “Severance” producer; and James Townley, chief content officer of development at Banijay. <\/p>\n
Clemens’ upcoming productions at Paramount include Taika Waititi’s “Time Bandits” and Billy Crystal’s “Before” as well as “Cross” starring Aldis Hodge. Bernstein will give a keynote on her career, focusing on recent Imagine productions including “Judy Blume Forever” and “Bono & The Edge: A Sort of Homecoming With Dave Letterman.” Dean will give a keynote address on developing animated content for teens and adults, including Amazon Prime’s “Invincible.” Townley will also deliver a keynote on creating unscripted IP at Banijay. <\/p>\n
Directed by Gaia Tridente, MIA held its first edition in 2015 and has since grown thanks to a partnership with ANICA, the Italian Association of Film, Audiovisual and Digital Industries, and APA, the Italian Audiovisual Producers Association. <\/p>\n
Additional speakers, along with a full program of the market, will be released in the coming weeks. MIA will take place from Oct. 9 to 13 at Palazzo Barberini and Cinema Barberini. <\/p>\n