French TV's Biggest Export Market Returns to Le Havre With 350+ Shows and a Shorter Schedule
More than 350 French television programmes will be presented to international buyers in Le Havre next week, as the 32nd Unifrance Rendez-Vous opens on Monday 7 September and runs through Thursday 10 September Variety.
The four-day schedule is a day shorter than last year's five-day edition, which ran from 1 to 5 September 2025 Unifrance. The market is described as the world's largest dedicated to French audiovisual programming Senal News and is by invitation only Unifrance.
Roughly 50 exclusive screenings are scheduled across scripted series, animation, and documentaries, including a showcase of three titles singled as the year's highlights Variety. The event also includes industry panel discussions, soirées, and a closing gala night themed around Barbapapa, the shape-shifting cartoon family born from a French children's book in 1970 Unifrance. A separate "Vendetta" gala evening will feature actor Thierry Neuvic Unifrance.
During the market, Unifrance and the National Film Board (CNC) will present France's TV programming export figures for 2025 Variety. Last year's Rendez-Vous drew about 150 buyers from 40 countries and more than 50 French distribution companies Variety.
Several titles are heading into the market with international distribution already attached. "Beasts of the Colosseum," a documentary directed by Nicolas Brénéol and produced by AH! Production for Novo 19, examines how ancient Rome captured and transported wild beasts from the Empire's frontiers for arena spectacles called venationes — staged animal hunts. Balanga is selling it internationally Variety.
"Swapped," a period drama directed by Vania Leturcq and Savina Dellicour, produced by Lincoln TV for France 2, is set in 1889 Paris. It follows a wet nurse named Rose who secretly swaps her baby with that of a grieving mother, Hélène de Gersande. France TV Distribution is handling sales Variety.
"The Red and the Black," a four-part series adapted from Stendhal's 1830 novel and directed by Gaël Morel, chronicles young Julien Sorel's attempt to climb beyond his modest origins through a tangle of passion and power. Siècle Productions made it for France Télévisions, and Wild Bunch Distribution is selling it Variety.
About Premium Content is bringing "Country Spy," produced by Banijay Group's DMLS Films. It follows Marie-Line Maupain, a French intelligence agent who, after 30 years of service, returns to the rural region she once called home to investigate criminal cases Variety.
Unifrance, the organisation behind the market, was created in 1949 to promote French cinema and audiovisual internationally Unifrance. Its remit covers export support, professional accompaniment at international events, economic intelligence, and raising awareness of French creative work. Beyond Le Havre, Unifrance has been active across the late-summer festival circuit — accompanying French audiovisual at the Festival de la Fiction de La Rochelle on 28 August, announcing French cinema's presence at the 83rd Venice Film Festival on 27 August, and announcing the 24th Franco-German cinema Rendez-Vous on 31 August Unifrance.
For buyers and distributors, the Rendez-Vous is where French programming gets its yearly shop window — compressed now into one fewer day, but still packing 350-plus titles into the session.
