Japanese public broadcaster NHK is organising a series of screenings and talks on ultrahigh-definition 8K video at MIPCOM 2019 as part of the showcase “Live the Story: NHK 8K”.

The world’s entertainment content market, MIPCOM takes place in Cannes, France, from 14-17 October 2019.

To stage the ultra-HD showcase, MIPCOM is for the first time hosting the NHK 8K Theater, complete with a 248-inch 8K screen and a 22.2 multichannel sound system, located on the third floor of the Palais des Festivals.

The screenings will feature the international premiere of a dramatisation of Nobel Laureate Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel “An Artist of the Floating World” in 8K HDR (high dynamic range), a medium ideally suited to bringing the nuances of the artist’s world into sharp focus. Japanese actor Ken Watanabe will be on hand to share his experience of playing the lead role.

Another highlight will be NHK’s 8K Talks sessions involving international producers who have partnered with NHK, plus the opportunity to see the resulting 8K content. These sessions will highlight the transformation of 8K production, which until recently has been seen as requiring huge commitments of equipment and money. The sessions will turn the spotlight on 8K production in China, in music and art, one of the first genres to use 8K, and in natural history and science, an area ripe to enter a golden age thanks to ultrahigh definition.

NHK launched the world’s first 8K channel in 2018. The public broadcaster plans to broadcast the 2020 Olympic Games from Tokyo in 8K, in an historic first.

Yukinori Kida, NHK’s Executive Director of Broadcasting, said: “8K has mostly gained attention for the exceptional quality of its images and sound. By working with international creators, I have come to believe that 8K HDR is a tool for enhancing viewers’ sensory and emotional perception. It offers a new way of storytelling — one that creates the ultimate immersive viewing experience.”

The schedule for NHK’s 8K events at MIPCOM 2019 is as follows:

International Premiere Drama Screening: “An Artist of the Floating World”
Monday 14 October, 11AM to 1PM
The screening of this NHK 8K dramatisation will be followed by Q&A and a networking lunch.
Guests: Ken Watanabe (actor), Yuki Fujimoto (scriptwriter), Kazutaka Watanabe (director)

8K Talks: Co-Pro and Acquisition
Monday 14 October, 4:30PM to 5:30PM
NHK began broadcasting daily in 8K in December 2018. How has it secured content, and what is the potential for international 8K co-productions and acquisitions in different territories and different genres?
Speakers:
Guo Haojun, Technical Director, Beijing TV Station (China)
Amos Rozenberg, CEO, Paramax Films (France)
Atsushi Murayama, Chief of Secretariat for 8K Productions, NHK (Japan)
Takeshi Shibasaki, Senior Producer, Science Programs Division, NHK (Japan)
Moderators:
Andrew Eborn, Writer and producer
Sayumi Horie, Executive Producer, Global Content Development Division, NHK (Japan)

Cocktail: Waves of 8K Sound (by invitation only)
“Sting & Shaggy: Live in Philadelphia”
Monday 14 October, 5:30PM to 7:15PM

8K Talks: Natural History
Tuesday 15 October, 11:30AM to 12:30PM
Attendees will hear what 8K means for natural history programming.
Speakers:
Brad Bestelink, Filmmaker, Natural History Film Unit (Botswana)
Alastair Fothergill, Company Director, Silverback Films (UK)
Masahiro Hayakawa, Executive Producer, Natural History & Science Programs, NHK Enterprises, Inc.

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