Event Coverage
Babylon Berlin, Clique, Jailers, Missions and Ride Upon the Storm win at MIPDrama
CANNES: MIPTV has announced the winners of the second edition of MIPDrama Screenings, which this year included awards in two distinct categories, and from two different juries as well as awards chosen by MIPDrama Screenings buyers.
The Grand Jury, made up of leading international showrunners and programme creators, awarded the prize in the full episodes category to Jailers (produced by Globo and Gullane/Spray Films, distributed by Globo and broadcast by Globo – Brazil). The Grand Jury prize in the Works in Progress category went to Babylon Berlin (produced by X Filme Creative Pool, ARD Degeto, Sky and Beta Film, distributed by Beta Film and broadcast by Sky Germany and ARD – Germany).
The TV Critics jury gave its award for best Full Episode to MISSIONS (produced by Empreinte Digitale, distributed by AB International Distribution and broadcast by OCS – France); and the TV Critics award for best Work in Progress to Ride upon the storm (produced by DR Drama in coproduction with Arte and Sam le Français, distributed by Studiocanal and broadcast by DR1/Arte – Denmark).
And in a MIPTV exclusive, buyers at the MIPDrama Screenings had the chance to vote for their favourite show in both categories via the MIPTV app. The MIPDrama Screenings audience award in the Full Episode category went to Clique (produced by BBC Studios in association with Balloon Entertainment, distributed by all3media International and broadcast by BBC Scotland/BBC Three – United Kingdom), and in the Work in Progress category to Ride Upon the Storm (produced by DR Drama in coproduction with Arte and Sam Le Français, distributed by Studiocanal and broadcast by DR1/Arte – Denmark).
The 2017 MIPDrama Screenings provided the international drama community, including 450 top buyers, with an exclusive first-look at some of the most exciting upcoming series on the global marketplace.
Designed to meet growing international demand for high-end drama series from major drama-producing territories, MIPDrama Screenings is a premium showcase curated by the MIP Drama Buyers’ Advisory Board. Six shows were selected to compete in each category, screening before an audience of leading acquisition executives and media from around the world, along with producers, distributors, and agents.
The awards were presented at the Closing Ceremony of the 2017 MIPDrama Screenings on Sunday 2 April in the Grand Auditorium of the Palais des Festivals, Cannes, on the eve of the MIPTV global entertainment content market, which runs 3-6 April.
The members of the prestigious Grand Jury were: Frank Spotnitz, Executive Producer and writer (“The X-Files,” “The Man in the High Castle”); Lars Blomgren, Chairman, Scripted Exchange, Endemol Shine Group, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Filmlance International, and Executive Producer (“The Bridge,” “Beck,” “Spring Tide”); Virginie Brac, screenwriter (“Cannabis,” “Paris,” “Spiral”); Ran Tellem , Head of International Content Development for Mediapro and former Head of Content for Keshet, Executive Producer (“Homeland”); and Jalil Lespert, director and actor (“Iris,” “Yves Saint Laurent,” “Versailles”).
The TV Critics Jury comprised Maureen Ryan, Chief Television Critic, Variety (USA); Benji Wilson, TV Critic for the Telegraph (UK); and Constance Jamet, Critic for Le Figaro (France).
Event Coverage
Anime India announces Amazon MX Player as co-presenting partner for Anime India Kolkata 2026
MUMBAI: Riding high on the success of its blockbuster Mumbai debut, Anime India is accelerating its nationwide expansion with the announcement of Amazon MX Player as the co-presenting partner for Anime India Kolkata. The partnership marks a significant step forward in the festival’s mission to deliver large-scale, accessible, and fan-first anime experiences across the country.
Scheduled for 14 and 15 February 2026 at the iconic Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan, Anime India Kolkata will launch the first regional chapter of what is set to be a year-long, multi-city tour. As the curtain-raiser for the 2026 circuit, the Kolkata edition aims to fuse the energy of global Japanese pop culture with India’s fast-growing community of anime, manga, and pop-culture fans.
A household name in digital entertainment, Amazon MX Player brings unmatched reach and cultural relevance to the Anime India platform. With its expanding focus on anime and youth-driven content, Amazon MX Player’s involvement as co-presenting partner reinforces Anime India’s vision of making anime culture more inclusive breaking barriers of language, geography, and accessibility to connect with fans nationwide.
Anime India Kolkata 2026 will showcase cosplay competitions, interactive zones led by the Indian Gunpla Community, India-39 Vocaloid Community, The Japan Curry, and Adda-o-Otaku by The Otaku Guild. Fans can join tournaments across fighting games, Pokémon VGC, and more. Acclaimed Japanese director Susumu Mitsunaka (Haikyu!!) will attend as guest of honour, appearing in panels and live sessions. Positioned as an immersive celebration of fan culture and industry collaboration, the Kolkata edition marks the beginning of Anime India’s nationwide expansion.
Sharing their perspective on the partnership, Amazon MX Player director Aruna Daryanani expressed, “Anime in India has evolved from a niche interest into a mainstream cultural movement, driven by an increasingly engaged and passionate fanbase. At Amazon MX Player, our focus is on expanding access by bringing anime to audiences across the country for free and in multiple local languages. Our association with Anime India reflects our commitment to supporting the growth of anime in India and deepening connections with fans, while continuing to build Amazon MX Player as a trusted destination for free, high-quality entertainment.”
“Anime India Kolkata is a celebration of how anime has grown beyond entertainment into a powerful cultural and creative force. By bringing fans, creators, and industry leaders onto one shared platform, the festival is helping define the future of pop culture in India,” said Anime India co-founder and director Neha Mehta.
The debut edition of Anime India 2025 in Mumbai attracted over 29,000 fans, quickly cementing its status as a landmark celebration of anime and Japanese pop culture. Riding on this overwhelming response, the Kolkata chapter is projected to draw more than 40,000 visitors across two days, positioning it as one of the biggest anime conventions ever held in eastern India.
Anime India is focused on bringing together fans from across the country to create a truly pan-India celebration of anime, manga, cosplay, gaming, and Japanese culture. With plans to expand into four key metropolitan hubs in 2026—east (Kolkata), north (Delhi), west (Mumbai), and south (Hyderabad)—the festival seeks to deliver globally benchmarked experiences while supporting and uplifting creators, artists, and fan communities throughout India.
