The television industry is navigating a challenging transition post-peak TV, yet Series Mania's 2025 edition anticipates record attendance from international executives. Founded in 2010 by Laurence Herszberg with a modest gathering of 250 attendees, this year’s event expects approximately 4,500 accredited professionals in Lille, marking a 5% increase from last year. Additionally, the industry-focused Forum will host 84 exhibitors, up by 25%. Despite global budget constraints, organizers report no decline in project quality or quantity. The festival showcases 48 series, featuring renowned talent like Amanda Seyfried and directors such as Martin Bourboulon.
A significant expansion includes the Buyers Upfront initiative, offering exclusive previews to acquisition executives. Furthermore, Series Mania highlights trends such as large-scale co-productions and independently financed projects. Key challenges discussed include managing budgets post-peak TV, integrating AI into content creation, and engaging younger audiences amidst fierce competition for ad budgets. This year’s event underscores the importance of cultural expression amid global socio-political upheaval.
Expanding Horizons: An International Gathering of Minds
This year’s Series Mania represents an unprecedented global convergence, with delegations from Korea, Taiwan, Canada, and various European nations attending. The event has grown significantly since its inception in 2010, reflecting an increasingly interconnected industry landscape. Organizers attribute the rise in attendance to strategic factors, including geographical convenience for UK participants post-Brexit and robust interest from US majors through their European affiliates. This edition introduces innovative initiatives, such as the Buyers Upfront, which connects buyers with previews of upcoming series curated by the festival's artistic team.
The Buyers Upfront session exemplifies Series Mania’s evolving role as both a launching pad and a market hub. By presenting exclusive previews of ten forthcoming series to around 100 acquisition and commissioning executives, the event facilitates crucial connections between creators and distributors. Companies represented range from Apple TV+ and Max to Hulu and Sky, highlighting the platform's global reach. Moreover, Coming Next presentations from nine territories further emphasize the event's commitment to showcasing diverse, anticipated projects. These developments underscore a shift towards more market-centric activities, driven partly by the end of Mip-TV and the need for alternative annual gatherings beyond Mipcom.
Innovative Trends and Industry Challenges
Series Mania 2025 illuminates several pivotal trends reshaping the television landscape, particularly the increasing prevalence of large-scale co-productions and independently financed projects. European producers are leveraging English-language collaborations to enhance sales prospects among US and UK streamers and broadcasters. Notable examples include Kabul, a drama involving 11 European countries, and Hal & Harper, a US comedy-drama. Simultaneously, early co-productions across different regions aim to bolster budgets, exemplified by political thriller The Deal and Bosnian-war-set A Life’s Worth.
Budgetary concerns post-peak TV dominate discussions at this year’s event, particularly during the seventh edition of the Lille Dialogues. The integration of AI into content creation also features prominently, reflecting broader technological advancements within the industry. Panel discussions address the challenge of capturing young audiences' attention and competing for ad budgets against platforms like YouTube and social media. Capurro identifies two defining movements: ambitious series seeking co-production and financing alongside very local series adaptable as remakes overseas. Amidst ongoing global socio-political turmoil, Series Mania reaffirms its commitment to artistic freedom and cultural dialogue, emphasizing the critical role of culture in addressing global tensions. This resilience underscores the event's enduring significance in fostering collaboration and innovation amidst shifting industry dynamics.