Francesco Capurro: "Series Mania has become the place to meet the best series from around the world"

Series Mania Forum is returning to Lille with a new and exciting edition that will congregate A-list executives from 60 countries to discover and discuss best-class international series. Señal News spoke with Francesco Capurro, Series Mania Director, to talk about its highlights and the event's evolution.

Series Mania 2023 broke its attendance record. What are the expectations of this year's edition?
"For this year's 7th edition, Series Mania Forum is expected to return stronger and bigger than ever, expecting over 4.000 professionals from 60 countries. All five continents will be represented this year with 18 international delegations. The Series Mania Forum is truly one of today's premiere meeting places for TV executives looking for new projects and talent. Over three days, the Forum will bring together the industry's decision-makers and all the European and international series community: the best fiction buyers, commissioners, distributors, producers, authors, institutions, and agents. New this year, Series Mania Forum is expanding within Lille Grand Palais, with new 3000 m2 exhibition and networking zones offering even more meeting spaces for participants and exhibitors and even greater comfort. The Business Square joins the Delegates'Delegates' Hall and the Business Lounge, both of which are fully booked this year with over 60 exhibitors, including All3Media, Banijay, BBC Studios, Beta Film, Cineflix, France Televisions, Fremantle, Gaumont, Globo, ITV Studios, Mediapro, Mediawan, Newen, NHK, Nippon TV, Red Arrow, and ZDF Studios. Finally, we will have a new Buyers Lounge, as we are expecting more buyers this year."

What will be the highlights of the Series Mania Forum?
"Series Mania Forum is a not-to-be-missed event for development executives and buyers worldwide, held in parallel with the Series Mania Festival (March 15 -22) and the Series Mania Institute, the training school dedicated to the series. The Series Mania Forum will present a series of 'Coming Next From…' France, Spain, Italy, Québec, Korea, Finland, and Norway. Furthermore, 'Content Showcases' will be powered by Netflix, Disney+ EMEA, BBC Studios, Max Originals, Sony Pictures Television, Mediawan, and Movistar Plus. The conferences are always among the most eagerly awaited events at the Series Mania Forum. This year, many round tables, masterclasses, and keynotes invite debate and reflection on a wide range of subjects like coproductions, new financing for series, docu-series, and the use of AI. Launched last autumn, the 'Best Marketing Initiative Award' will reward the best BtoB and BtoC marketing campaigns. All our pitching sessions are also unmissable: the co-pro pitching sessions on the first day of the Forum, as well as all the pitches from emerging talent from Israel, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia, Africa, and elsewhere."

What have you learned about the series industry during all these years of organizing this event?
"One major industry trend is the surge of streaming, prompting the exploration of fresh collaboration approaches between streamers and traditional TV broadcasters. This exploration aims at co-financing shows and strategically sharing broadcasting windows, creating a complementary framework to reach a larger audience. In addition, books and podcast adaptations are the new trend in an increasingly competitive ecosystem and a saturated content market. That is why Series Mania Forum introduced its brand-new IP Market, which focuses on literary adaptations, podcasts, and short formats. This new program offers industry professionals new opportunities to connect with literary agents, publishers, and podcast creators."

How has the event evolved since its first edition?
"Series Mania has truly become the place where industry professionals come to meet and discover the best series from around the world. Our goal is to connect the international industry to pursue our three major objectives: bring out new talent, encourage international coproductions, and reflect together on the industry's challenges and future. All major studios are looking for new voices and authentic stories year after year. Series Mania offers them the best series from the European and international scene."

By Romina Rodriguez