Anne Georget #FIPA2018

PODCAST| Matt Micucci interviews FIPA President Anne Georget.

An interview with Anne Georget, president of FIPA, the International Festival of Audiovisual Programmes, which celebrated its 31st edition in 2018 in Biarritz, France. As implied by the name of the festival, the event helps define the often broad term “audiovisual” by showcasing traditional forms and those more related to the age of new media. Georget shares with us the objectives of the festival and the various challenges that this type of festival entails. FIPA is a festival that differentiates itself from others, not only of France but of many other parts of the world, and this year it took it upon itself to integrate VR works in film strands. Georget talks about this, as well as the various ways in which FIPA aids filmmakers, producers, and people working in the audiovisual sector, highlighting that this is an industry that can make one feel very lonely. Another thing mentioned in this interview is the fact that each year, for the past five years, FIPA has shone a light on a particular region where interesting things are happening, as far as the audiovisual sector is concerned. This year, Israel was selected for this focus; Georget defines it as having “a particularly lively scene in terms of audiovisual creation.” In this interview, we also talk about the French city of Biarritz and how the festival benefits from taking place here, and Georget mentions a highlight that she is particularly looking forward to – a screening of Jean-Xavier de Lestrade’s entire 13-episode series The Staircase.

nternational Festival of Audiovisual Programmes (FIPA): “FIPA’s mission is as focused as ever: to highlight the diversity and transversal nature of international audiovisual creation and production in the fields of documentary, drama, and new writing. Every year—with FIPA’s increasingly demanding selection process rewarding risk-taking and intelligence—the Festival offers a vast panorama of audiovisual creation from around the globe. In addition to the official competition, “new” practical and theme-based professional events promote networking, create new opportunities, and inspire stakeholders from across the industry. Naturally, innovation remains at heart of the Festival with Smart FIPA, a trend lab dedicated to digital creation and new forms of expression. Through the FIPA Campus programme, the Festival renews its ongoing commitment to education in visual appreciation and to scouting new talent to help tomorrow’s masters get their first break. Last but not least, FIPA Focus shines a spotlight on a specific country: for 2018, Israel is our guest of honour. For six days, the who’s who of the international audiovisual sector will gather in Biarritz. This 31st edition is brimming with opportunities to make new discoveries and new contacts.” (Original text from the official website of FIPA, http://www.fipa.tv/en/)