18/01/2024 - The market delves into the latest trends and innovations in global serial content, with the Berlinale Series Market Selects label shining a spotlight on 15 shows from around the world

For its tenth iteration, the Berlinale Series Market, the primary industry platform for global serial content within the European Film Market (EFM), is scheduled to take place from 19-21 February. The conference programme, national and international showcases, and market screenings for the tenth-anniversary edition will be hosted at CinemaxX. Over the three-day programme, buyers, creatives, industry experts and sales agents can access the Berlinale Series Market activities near the traditional Gropius Bau venue, where the EFM is held. In this space, sales companies showcase themselves at stands and industry tables.

Dennis Ruh, EFM director, commented: “High-quality serial content became an integral part of the market long ago. Distribution companies with series in their portfolios are well-rewarded financially. And with the Berlinale Series Market, the EFM has developed into an attractive centre for trading high-quality serial content. We are delighted to present a diverse selection of carefully chosen, promising new series from Europe, North and South America, Africa and Australia, featuring a wide range of genres and possessing excellent sales potential.”

The Berlinale Series Market's upcoming edition explores industry challenges, trends and perspectives. The opening panel addresses budget shifts and cost increases, seeking out positive trends in innovative funding models, co-production practices and the global success of non-English content. Richard Broughton introduces market data from Ampere Analysis, followed by insights from industry executives such as David Flynn (head of Global Drama, WIIP), Danna Stern (global content executive) and Yi Qiao (manager, Drama, ZDF Studios). The event navigates the evolving landscape of production, offering a platform to explore the complexities and opportunities within the dynamic world of serial content.

Exploring the intersection of profit-driven industry practices and social responsibility in content production is the focus of another panel at the Berlinale Series Market, showcasing successful, socially relevant series from various regions. Karolina Peysakhov (Painkiller, VP of TV, Pastel) and Mauricio Mota (co-president/producer, Wise Entertainment) will present their insights. In an era seeking comedic relief amid all the challenges, content creators from diverse backgrounds will discuss the creation of “global punchlines”. This conversation, featuring contributors with varied social and cultural perspectives, aims to navigate the complexities of generating humour that transcends borders without infringing on cultural sensitivities. The event fosters a nuanced exploration of balancing industry profitability with responsible content creation.

The “Up Next: Germany” showcase will once again highlight ongoing German series projects at different stages of production. It features diverse narratives, including the multi-perspective exploration of a prison-free world in A Better Place. Also, Krank unfolds in a challenging emergency room, set in Germany’s most overcrowded hospital. The documentary series The Young Berlusconi and the vampire series Love Sucks, offering a contemporary take on Romeo and Juliet, are also partaking.

Finally, for another year, Berlinale Series Market Selects presents 15 series, ranging from historical biopics and stories about political activists to comedy, mystery and explosive thrillers. The series hail from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Latvia, Portugal, Spain, South Africa and the UK. Two German-language productions have also been selected: the drama series Disko 76 with Jannick Schümann and Luise Aschenbrenner, and Kafka with Joel Basman, Liv Lisa Fries and David Kross.

Here is the list of titles taking part in Berlinale Series Market Selects 2024:

Disko 76 (Germany)
Creators: Benjamin Benedict, Linda Brieda, Lars Montag, Sinah Swyter
Directors: Florian Knittel, Lars Montag
Production company: UFA Fiction GmbH
Broadcaster: RTL/RTL+

Dogpack (Portugal)
Creator/showrunner: Edgar Medina
Director: João Maia
Production company: Arquipélago Filmes
Broadcasters: RTP, Amazon Prime Portugal

Elsbeth (USA)
Creators: Robert King, Michelle King
Showrunner: Jonathan Tolins
Director: Robert King
Production company: CBS Studios in association with King Size Productions
Broadcaster: CBS
World sales: Paramount Global Content Distribution

Family Therapy (Argentina)
Creators: Ariana Saiegh, Gonzalo Arias
Showrunner: Ariana Saiegh
Director: Alejandro Ciancio
Production company: GM Comunicacion/Tronito
Broadcaster: Personal FLOW

Kafka (Austria)
Creators: Daniel Kehlmann, David Schalko
Showrunner/director: David Schalko
Production company: Superfilm Filmproduktions GmbH
Broadcasters: ARD/ORF
World sales: ORF-Enterprise

Living on a Razor’s Edge (Brazil)
Creator/showrunner: José Junior
Directors: Andre Felipe Binder, Júlio Andrade
Production company: AfroReggae Audiovisual in partnership with Formata Produções e Conteúdo and Globoplay
Broadcaster: Globoplay

Lost Boys & Fairies (UK)
Creator/showrunner: Daf James
Director: James Kent
Production company: Duck Soup Films in association with All3Media International
Broadcaster: BBC One
World sales: All3Media International

Nudes (France)
Creators: Nina M Barbosa Blad, Erika Calmeyer, Liv Joelle Barbosa Blad
Showrunners: Julie-Albertine Simonney, David Fortems
Directors: Andréa Bescond, Sylvie Verheyde, Lucie Borleteau
Production companies: Wild Bunch TV/Alcatraz Films
Broadcaster: Prime Video France

Oxen (Denmark)
Creators: Mai Brostrøm, Peter Thorsboe
Director: Jannick Johansen
Production companies: SF Studios, SquareOne Productions
Broadcasters: TV2 Denmark, ZDF
World sales: REinvent Studios

Show Yourself (Spain)
Creator/showrunner/director: Álvaro Carmona
Production company: Atresmedia Televisión
Broadcaster: atresplayer

Soviet Jeans [+see also:
series review
series profile] (Latvia)
Creators: Stanislavs Tokalovs, Teodora Markova, Waldemar Kalinowski
Showrunners: Stanislavs Tokalovs, Teodora Markova
Directors: Stanislavs Tokalovs, Juris Kursietis
Production company: Tasse Film
World sales: Beta Film

Soon Comes Night (South Africa)
Creators: Paul S Rowlston, Robbie Thorpe
Directors: Thabang Moleya, Sanele Zulu
Production company: Ochre Moving Pictures
Broadcasters: Netflix (Africa) and SABC
World sales: Red Arrow Studios International

Tramps (Spain)
Directors: Aritz Moreno, Ana Vázquez
Production company: Atresmedia TV in collaboration with Morena Films
Broadcaster: Atresplayer
World sales: Atresmedia

We’re on it Comrades (Czech Republic)
Creator: Miro Šifra
Directors: Matěj Chlupáček, Michal Samir
Production companies: Barletta, Network Movie
Broadcasters: ZDF, Czech TV
World sales: ZDF Studios

While the Men Are Away (Australia)
Creators: Kim Wilson, Alexandra Burke
Showrunner: Kim Wilson
Directors: Elissa Down, Monica Zanetti
Production company: Arcadia
Broadcaster: SBS
World sales: Red Arrow Studios International