The National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE), the premier global business association for content producers, distributors, streamers and buyers across all platforms today will utilize every aspect of the recently announced NATPE VIRTUAL platform for NATPE Budapest International. The marketplace and conference will also expand to four days and will now begin on August 24 running through August 27 . For this year, NATPE Budapest International will not have a physical footprint at the Intercontinental Hotel in Budapest, Hungary due to ongoing issues surrounding the global pandemic.

The highly anticipated format competition, “Pitch & Play Live” will be returning to NATPE Budapest International for a 5th straight year as part of the virtual production. “Pitch & Play Live” showcases original format ideas from the CEE/EMEA region with international potential.

The NATPE Budapest International Conference agenda will include exclusive World Premieres from major global studios. The program includes a deep dive into case studies on various properties with top talents, producers and executive content creators spotlighting how they are innovating the production and distribution of programming today and adapting forward.

The event, in its virtual form, will continue to be an ultimate resource for producers and distributors as the one-stop-shop for the business of content. Through a highly intuitive NATPE VIRTUAL digital experience, which is a custom-built virtual event space, attendees will receive the same one-stop-shop for the global content marketplace they expect of NATPE’s physical events. NATPE VIRTUAL’s platform utilizes the most comprehensive ecosystem of customized tools to empower creators and distributors of all backgrounds and experience.

“In light of the travel restrictions imposed by Hungary preventing some of our largest global buyers and exhibitors to attend, we have made the strategic decision to switch to NATPE VIRTUAL, a portal that delivers our renowned conferences, online marketplace and online licensing from start to end. So far, we have 300 regional buyers registered and our top distributors are excited to shift to a virtual model offering multiple and cost-effective options such as NATPE V-Fronts™, immersive branding and online screenings.”

NATPE Budapest International has grown exponentially in the last few years to become a must-attend event for the global content community from Europe, the Middle East, Asia and The Americas. The virtual shift will provide an opportunity for these territories to participate and screen their shows.

NATPE Budapest International’s virtual conference and marketplace will take place on Monday, 24 August, 10a-8pm, CEST and then Tuesday, 25 through Thursday, 27 August: 6am – 8 pm, CEST (Central European Summer Time).