Marco Spagnoli: "We want to promote the culture of diversity and identity"

This year, the Roma Fiction Festival was rebranded as the Italian Global Series Festival (IGSF), an international TV series event organized by APA (Associazione Produttori Audiovisivi), in partnership with the Italian Ministry of Culture and SIAE (Italian Society of Authors and Publishers), and curated by film and television critic Marco Spagnoli. "Fiction is what we used to call series in Italy when we started with the Roma Fiction Festival in 2007," recalled Spagnoli. "But if you say 'fiction' to an international audience, nobody understands – we're talking about series, so we decided to change that," he added. Spagnoli emphasized the transformation of the series world in recent decades and pointed out that the traditional barriers between cinema and television have disappeared. "Series are everywhere, and for me, they are like books. People talk about series the way they talk about books," he stated.

He also referenced the Greek concept of koine, meaning “common,” to describe the current global atmosphere around series. "In the storytelling of series, there's now a koine. We can see Ukrainian shows, Italian shows – they're different and original, but at the same time, there’s something at the core that remains the same," Spagnoli explained. "What we want to do with our festival is promote this culture of diversity and identity," he asserted.

Another key point Spagnoli raised is how relatable series have become for audiences. "I’ve met so many people whose lives were changed by a film or a TV show, and this kind of impact is often underestimated by the industry," he said. "The power of storytelling is very strong," he added.

TWO DIFFERENT LOCATIONS
The first edition of IGSF will take place from June 21st to 28th, 2025, in both Riccione (at the PalaRiccione and Multiplex CinePalace) and Rimini (at Cinema Fulgor, Teatro Galli, and Corte degli Agostiniani). "Both cities have a long tradition of festivals," said Spagnoli. He also mentioned that after IGSF concludes in Riccione, the Ciné Festival will take place, so both events will share the same venues and structures.

Two other reasons for choosing these cities are summer and their beaches, as well as the timing, which is ideal for American professionals – between the LA Screenings and the July 4th holiday. "It's the best time to bring talents, producers, and writers. It's a good moment," he noted.

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
The main goal of the festival is to promote and celebrate the production of both Italian and international series, their artistic quality, and their ability to entertain. With an extensive program curated by a committee of industry experts, the festival will not only be a prestigious showcase of today’s best series, but also a platform for ideas about the sector’s future.

Italian and international series will compete in four categories: Drama, Comedy, Limited Series, and TV Movies. These titles will be eligible for the “Maximo Awards” in the following categories: Best Series, Best Leading Actor and Actress, and Best Creator and/or Director, all selected by a jury of industry professionals. On the other hand, the first recipients of the festival’s “Excellence Awards”, will be presented during Opening Night at the Teatro Galli in Rimini and Closing Night at the Arena del Sole in Riccione. Spagnoli underlined the relevance of these awards: "Our goal is to build a festival that truly showcases a wide range of awards," he said. "We want to shine a spotlight not only on great talents, but also on young talents and new actors," he added.

In addition to a series of keynotes and masterclasses featuring both Italian and international talent, exclusive “first looks” of new series in production will be presented by cast and creators in attendance.

IGSF will also launch a mentorship program to support and guide a selection of up-and-coming actresses and actors through various Italian and international events during the festival.

Italy has a long-standing tradition of hospitality, and the organizers of the Italian Global Series Festival want attendees to feel welcome. "I believe in festivals where people meet face to face – because you never know where a good idea might come from," he concluded.