CANNES: Reed Midems MipDoc appears to have done many shades better this year as compared to the 2003 edition. Held over 27-28 March in Cannes at the Noga Hitlon Hotel on the Croissette, the annual documentary market attracted 366 companies which was a 7.65 per cent improvement on the figure of 283 in 2003. the number of countries which attended also went up to 53 from a low of 42 in 2003, while the number of participants climbed up a pleasing 13.95 per cent over the 473 in the previous year.

While the number of new programmes presented went up 2.47 per cent to 580 (566 in 2003), the number of programmes presented dropped 10.89 per cent to 1031 (1157 in 2003).

What was most heartening however was the number of screenings which climbed 19.37 per cent to 8857 and the 350 programme buyers from 217 companies who made a point to attend the market.

While France had 62 companies attending, the UK showed a hefty climb of 78.57 per cent in the number of firms (25) who made a comeback to MipDoc. The US had the second highest representation with 49 companies followed by Canada (37), Germany (28), Italy (15), Spain (14), Netherlands (12), Hong Kong (10), Belgium (8).

The highest viewed documentary was Carlton International Medias The Ancient Greek Olympics followed by AETN Internationals Barbarians and Buzztaxi Communications Stupidy: The documentary in the current affairs category.

According to sources within Reed the upturn in attendance shows that confidence in the documentary genre seems to headed northwards which is a good omen.