All eyes on Amsterdam

Increased demand for space, more representation from Asia Pacific than ever before, and (hopefully) fewer airport queues: what attendees at the biggest show in broadcasting can expect in 2023.

Forget the Rijksmuseum and Dam Square: from 15-18 September, the place to be in Amsterdam will be the city’s sprawling conference centre, the RAI, as it welcomes the international media and entertainment world for IBC 2023. Owned by six leading industry bodies – the IABM, IEEE, IET, Royal Television Society, SCTE and SMPTE – IBC is part-exhibition, part-conference, an opportunity to get hands-on with the latest kit and network with colleagues from film and TV, as well as the wider industry.

Last year’s IBC marked a more compact format for the show as it returned to its physical format: spanning four days instead of five, taking over fewer halls at the cavernous RAI, and welcoming almost 20,000 fewer attendees than 2019 (still a sizeable 37,000).

Exhibitor space at this year’s edition is already up on 2022, with over 40,000 square metres taken up by new and returning companies in early May. All 13 of the RAI’s halls are back open, with Halls 5 and 12 extended to their maximum capacity. As in previous years, many of the camera and lighting-focused exhibitors, including ARRI, Fujifilm, Nanlite/Nanlux, Astera and many more, will be calling Hall 12 home.

“We’re seeing tremendous demand for space at IBC2023,” said IBC’s director Steve Connolly. “Some of this growth is being driven by global companies taking as much as double the space they did previously, and if necessary, moving halls to do it. We’re seeing a lot of enthusiasm from exhibitors.” That enthusiasm will be harnessed by a new Exhibitor Steering Group, set to bring a refreshed momentum and industry-inclusive approach to show preparations.

Many of this year’s first-time exhibitors, which include LG Electronics, hail from East and Southeast Asia, and bookings from China alone have doubled since 2019. As a result, the show’s Chinese pavilion will be twice its 2022 size, while a South Korean pavilion will be a welcome new addition. As well as exhibitors, the show expects a major boost in visitors from Asia Pacific – joining attendees from over 170 countries.

You could easily fill all four days of the show with browsing stands and still not see everything you wanted to, but be sure to make time for the IBC content programme. “We’re really excited to bring together some of the most creative minds from across the film, television, and technology industries at IBC2023,” said IBC content lead Jaisica Lapsiwala. “Every year, we’re blown away by some of the innovation on display across the exhibition halls and the outstanding panels and presentations showcasing production and cinematography excellence.”

This year’s content offering encompasses the paid-for IBC Conference (15-16 September), where headline speakers include executives from Paramount, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Universal Pictures and MovieLabs, and the free IBC Changemakers Programme. Launched in 2022, Changemakers unites trailblazing organisations, individuals and initiatives that are changing the industry culture and pushing the boundaries of creativity and technology, addressing topics such as gender equality in broadcasting, advancing sustainability, and inclusive tech.

“Visitors can hear from studio leaders, market innovators, and breakthrough start-ups exploring new production techniques and the biggest shifts shaping the future of TV and filmmaking — including areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), cloud workflows, virtual production, breakthrough camera technologies and many more,” added Lapsiwala.

If you miss any talks or panels, then located around the venue are various show floor theatres, where exhibitors will be showcasing their latest innovations. There’ll be plenty more opportunities to get the lowdown on industry trends at the storied IBC Beach – a sandy spot just outside the RAI that’s perfect for relaxed meetings and catching up with old friends.

IBC is set to recognise organisations and initiatives making an impact in its Innovation and Social Impact Awards, taking place during the show. Up for Innovation Awards include FOX Sports for its live, multi-camera XR set and RTVE Spain for Hiperia, its first audiovisual content created 100% by AI. Meanwhile, in the Social Impact Awards, finalists include MAMA Youth Project, for their work getting underrepresented young people into the industry, and ScreenCraft Works, which promotes cross-border mentorship for underrepresented film and TV professionals.

Commenting on the high standard of this year’s awards entries, Fergal Ringrose, chair of the 2023 IBC Innovation Awards jury, emphasised: “It is clear that the global pandemic has acted as a major catalyst for innovation in the content and technology industry, with this year’s finalists demonstrating many of the transformative new paths forward.”

As ever, it sounds like a sturdy pair of walking shoes will be needed to tackle the show – let’s hope we also don’t need them for the hours-long queues that snaked around Schiphol Airport last year! The airport admitted to a “poor 2022” and IBC has confirmed it has been in contact with officials in an attempt to avoid a repeat of 2022’s show departure. Local news reports suggest the situation at Schiphol this year has improved, and in spring the airport introduced free pre-bookable timeslots for security, reservable up to three days before departure on their website and app. It’s a welcome initiative for anyone intending to make the most of every second of what promises to be another busy show.