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Tag: Series Mania

  • UGC Writers Campus by Series Mania invites applications for 2021 edition

    UGC Writers Campus by Series Mania invites applications for 2021 edition

    MUMBAI: Series Mania has invited applications for its UGC Writers Campus, an immersive week-long writing workshop for 20 emerging TV drama writers from around the world. This, the fourth edition of UGC Writers Campus by Series Mania, will run from 27 May to 3 June 2021 in Lille, France. Deadline for submissions is 1 February 2021. 

    Eligible candidates are writers who have had at least one professional experience on a broadcast TV/digital series, short or feature film broadcast. The link for submitting applications can be found at:

    https://seriesmania.com/forum/en/ugc-writers-campus-2021/ 

    Over the course of one week, UGC Writers Campus will function as an incubator where writers will be immersed in an environment dedicated to their work with access to tutors, mentors and industry decision-makers.

    From 27-31 May, participants will have the opportunity to take part in workshops and masterclasses in the presence of experienced professionals who will serve and support them as mentors in the development of their projects. From 1-3 June, these emerging writers will be able to pitch their projects in front of the international industry professionals who will be in Lille for the forum. 

    "Today, we see an increasing demand from the industry toward screenwriters. In this context, Series Mania, with the UGC Writers Campus, is honoured to support and strengthen an international network of young writers who are able to offer high quality projects, while at the same time working together for the future of our audio-visual industry. The stories to come will certainly be local, but thus more open to co-production opportunities,” said UGC director, deputy MD Herszberg.

  • Series Mania announces official dates for 2021 and launches three new initiatives

    Series Mania announces official dates for 2021 and launches three new initiatives

    MUMBAI: Series Mania founder and general director Laurence Herszberg today announced the confirmed dates for Series Mania’s 2021 edition.  Set to take place in Lille, France and the Hauts-de-France region, the Series Mania Festival is set for 19 to 27 March and the Series Mania Forum, to be held in the Lille Grand Palais, is set for 23 to 25 March. As one of the largest international events exclusively dedicated to series returns with a new ambition to make Series Mania a permanent tool for the promotion of series creation, Series Mania has developed three new initiatives.  

    "In recent years, we have seen a major evolution in the audiovisual fiction landscape. First, is the significant increase in the volume of series. Second, is the emergence of new working methods resulting from the Covid2019 pandemic which have both reinforced festivals as essential events and ‘rendezvous’, but also confirmed the importance of online tools. Finally, is the need expressed by the audiovisual sector to bring forward new voices, new talent and new projects,” said Herszberg.

    In order to meet these new challenges, Series Mania is proud to announce the following new initiatives: 

    The launch of the Series Mania Label 

    Throughout the year, the Series Mania team watches hundreds of new series coming from all over the world. Going forward on a permanent basis, Series Mania will offer its recommendations to the public through its digital presence and online video content, as well as the organization of premiere screening year-round in Lille.  The selected festival-supported series will be awarded the Series Mania Label with the aim of developing their notoriety and visibility.

    The expansion of Series Mania Digital 

    Expanding on the Series Mania Digital Forum, which was successfully launched earlier this year, Series Mania will now come forward with an expanded digital platform where it will be possible to follow the evolution of projects and talent selected by the Series Mania Forum, as well as to access exclusive content (webinars, training courses, and more) and an international network of contacts. Beginning in September, Series Mania Digital will become a year-round initiative to encourage projects in development, through a lively and interactive networking platform. This digital platform will bring together members of the industry to strengthen networking links initiated in previous editions.

    And finally, the unveiling of the Series Mania Institute, a training venue for tomorrow’s European talent 

    Since its creation, Series Mania has positioned itself as a true "talent scout” for new creators, in particular through the scriptwriting residencies hosted by Series Mania Forum:  UGC Writers Campus, SeriesLab (a TorinoFilmLab initiative), and the Israel-France Co-Writing Residency (initiated by the CNC and Gesher Multicultural Film Fund).  In order to identify as early as possible new international talent, and to develop European creative networks, the festival is today launching the Series Mania Institute. Set to be housed in Lille, its mission will be to reinforce the training of European professionals in the field of series and audiovisual content, based on three fundamental axes:

    – Gathering international know-how in the field of series scriptwriting in order to create tomorrow's European network of creative talent 

    -Unifying all professions of the series industry, including scriptwriters, directors, producers and broadcasters, in order to have them develop a cohesive working culture

    – Encouraging the emergence of new talent from a diversity of backgrounds and origins

    The Series Mania Institute will be organised in partnership with La Fémis (supported by the CNC) and the Hauts-de-France Region and will offer several training courses for different audiences beginning in 2021. Further information and names of more partners will be released later this fall.

    “We are pleased to contribute to the development of a European-ambitioned initiative in the area of series professionals,” says La Fémis MD Nathalie Coste-Cerdan. “The Series Mania Institute is in line with what we think is needed for specific teaching on the serial genre and for European professionals to share their know-how.”

    “Series Mania Lille-Hauts-de-France made the region a permanent crossroads for audiovisual talent and decision-makers. With these new projects, Series Mania goes further in the creation process. The Series Mania Institute will allow us to boost specific training in audiovisual professions,” says Xavier Bertrand, President of the Hauts-de-France Region.

  • Series Mania Festival, events cancelled due to coronavirus scare

    Series Mania Festival, events cancelled due to coronavirus scare

    MUMBAI: The 2020 Series Mania Festival (March 20-28), Series Mania Forum (March 25-27), and Lille Dialogues (March 26) have been cancelled in view of the coronavirus situation. The decision has been taken after meeting with the French government, health authorities, and city officials from Lille, said Series Mania president Rodolphe Belmer.  

    "Every year since its inaugural event in Lille, Series Mania has attracted 80,000 festival-goers, most of whom have already booked their event tickets, and more than 3,000 professionals. Due to the recent restriction from the French government banning gatherings of more than 1,000 people, coupled with the travel restrictions for many of our international participants, we have made the difficult decision to cancel Series Mania,” said Rodolphe Belmer.  “In this delicate period, we are very touched by the ongoing support of our French and international partners, and we want to express our warm thanks to everyone.”

    President of the Hauts-de-France region Xavier Bertrand added, “The Hauts-de-France region has had the honour of hosting Series Mania since 2018 and is already looking forward to welcoming the Festival, Forum and Lille Dialogues in an ambitious way in 2021, as well as its further development in future years.  Series Mania has our total support, as well as the people around the world during this difficult time.”

    Founder and general director of Series Mania Laurence Herszberg added, “This year’s Series Mania was an event not to be missed with an exceptional programme and amazing guest list. It is with great sadness that we have had to make this difficult decision.  However, our utmost concern is for the safety and well-being of our valued clients, guests, and staff who have invested so much time these past few months.  I would like to thank the city of Lille, Hauts-de-France region, and European audiences for their enthusiasm and passion. I would also like to thank every creator, talent, producer, and broadcaster who have trusted us since the beginning. To our audiences, professionals, politicians, and industry leaders, we will be back stronger than ever in 2021 with a new edition that will be, from the bottom of our hearts, even more ambitious and radiant.”