Francois Sauvagnargues #FIPA2018

PODCAST| Matt Micucci interviews Francois Sauvagnargues, General Delegate of FIPA.

A conversation with François Sauvagnargues, General Delegate of the International Festival of Audiovisual Programmes, which held its 31st edition in Biarritz, France this year. After an overview of the festival, Sauvegnargues tells us a little about its objectives and how they have evolved over the years, with a keen eye on the various ways in which the audiovisual sector itself evolves. Israel was a country in focus this year, and the general delegate of the festival comments on that and on the interesting things that are happening there. Among the other things discussed, such as the benefit of hosting this festival in Biarritz and the various other services and opportunities that FIPA offers to its guests, who come from all over the world, Sauvagnargues offers his opinion on a Roberto Rossellini quote written on the catalogue of this year’s festival, in which he called television “the school of the 21st century.”

International 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/)