Series Mania Forum has announced the selection of 16 television series projects chosen from over 400 applications for its Co-Pro Pitching Sessions, the centerpiece event of the professional forum taking place in Lille, France from March 24 to 26. The selected projects represent the most competitive round of submissions in recent years, with applications arriving from 72 countries worldwide.
Key Takeaways
- 16 series projects selected from more than 400 applications for the Co-Pro Pitching Sessions
- Winners will pitch to broadcasters, financiers, and distributors on March 25 in Lille
- The best project receives a €50,000 prize decided by a professional jury
- One-to-one meetings with potential partners scheduled for March 25 and 26
Background
The Co-Pro Pitching Sessions stand as the founding premise of Series Mania Forum, an annual gathering that has launched some of European television's most successful series. Past projects introduced at these sessions include Blackport from Iceland, The Last Socialist Artefact from Slovenia and Finland, We Got This from Sweden, Ever After from Italy, No Man's Land from France, Freud from Germany, and The Head from Spain.
The forum itself operates as a professional marketplace dedicated entirely to the creation and financing of television drama series. It brings together producers, broadcasters, distributors, and representatives from public and private funding organizations. The event has grown since its inception, with the 2024 edition receiving more than 400 eligible submissions from countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, and beyond.
Series Mania Forum takes place annually in Lille, a city in northern France that has become known in the television industry as a hub for international co-production deals. The professional days run parallel to the main Series Mania Festival, which showcases completed television series to audiences.
Key Details
The Selection Process
Producers and distributors submit drama series projects seeking international financing and co-production partners. Each company can submit up to two projects. The submitted projects must be live-action fiction series with a minimum of three episodes, with each episode running at least 26 minutes in length.
Submissions require a pitch document of no more than 10 pages following a template provided by Series Mania. The document must include a logline, synopsis, character presentations, narrative arcs, episodic synopses if available, details about the world and tone of the series, notes from the creator and producer, and a financing plan. Applicants must also provide filmographies and biographies of the creative team.
While not required, applications carry more weight when accompanied by support from a television channel in the country of origin or backing from an international distributor, evidenced through official letters of interest or development contracts. The experience of the production company in creating television series or financing international co-productions also strengthens applications.
What Happens at the Pitching Sessions
On March 25, the 16 selected projects will be presented in the Grand Théâtre at Lille Grand Palais. Producers have the opportunity to pitch their series directly to an audience of key decision-makers in the industry. The pitching format allows for direct engagement with potential financiers and partners.
Following the main pitching sessions, producers participate in individual meetings scheduled for March 25 and 26. These one-to-one meetings connect project representatives with broadcasters, distributors, other producers, and representatives of public and private funding sources. These meetings often lead to concrete financing agreements and co-production partnerships.
"The Co-Pro Pitching Sessions are Series Mania Forum's founding premise and the most anticipated part of the Forum," according to the official forum description.
The Prize and Judging
A professional jury selects the best project and awards it a prize of €50,000. The jury comprises industry professionals with extensive experience in television production and financing. This prize recognizes not only the quality of the project but also its potential for international appeal and successful financing.
What This Means
The selection of 16 projects from over 400 submissions shows the international appetite for European television drama. The breadth of applications—coming from 72 countries—demonstrates that producers worldwide see Series Mania Forum as a important venue for finding financing partners and co-production opportunities.
For the selected producers, the March pitching sessions represent a concentrated opportunity to meet with the people who control funding and distribution decisions. Rather than traveling to multiple markets and festivals, they can present their work to dozens of potential partners in a single location over two days. The structured format of one-to-one meetings following the pitches creates a clear pathway from presentation to negotiation.
The €50,000 prize carries symbolic weight beyond its monetary value. It signals to broadcasters and financiers which projects the industry considers most promising, potentially influencing funding decisions for other selected series as well.
For the television industry more broadly, the Co-Pro Pitching Sessions reflect ongoing demand for original drama series from international sources. Streaming services, traditional broadcasters, and cable networks continue to seek fresh content from European producers. The competition among the 400 applications suggests that producers across Europe and beyond believe they can attract this international interest.
The March 24-26 forum also includes other pitching opportunities beyond the main Co-Pro Pitching Sessions. The Asia Co-Pro Pitch, Authentica African Series Pitch, and various IP pitching sessions provide additional pathways for projects from different regions and formats. This expanded programming reflects how Series Mania has evolved beyond its original European focus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can producers from outside Europe submit projects?
A: Yes. The 2024 edition received submissions from 72 countries, indicating that producers worldwide can participate. The call for submissions is international, though projects must be drama series seeking international financing and co-production partners.
Q: How much does it cost to submit a project?
A: Submission is free. Producers only incur costs if they're selected and choose to attend the pitching sessions in Lille in person, though virtual attendance options may be available through the Series Mania+ platform.
Q: What happens to projects that don't win the €50,000 prize?
A: While only one project receives the prize, all 16 selected projects benefit from pitching to industry decision-makers and participating in one-to-one meetings. Many past projects that didn't win the prize have gone on to secure financing and become successful series.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can producers from outside Europe submit projects?
Yes. The 2024 edition received submissions from 72 countries, indicating that producers worldwide can participate. The call for submissions is international, though projects must be drama series seeking international financing and co-production partners.
How much does it cost to submit a project?
Submission is free. Producers only incur costs if they’re selected and choose to attend the pitching sessions in Lille in person, though virtual attendance options may be available through the Series Mania+ platform.
What happens to projects that don’t win the €50,000 prize?
While only one project receives the prize, all 16 selected projects benefit from pitching to industry decision-makers and participating in one-to-one meetings. Many past projects that didn’t win the prize have gone on to secure financing and become successful series.
