“The Co-Pro Pitching Sessions, a well-established and eagerly awaited event in the Forum landscape for over a decade now, have had a tangible impact on many projects over the years. It was wonderful for us to see that this year, a wide variety of countries were represented, both in the submissions and in the selected project. This year, we noted a diversity of stories in projects ranging from eco-thrillers to 'whodunit', including projects that tell the stories of powerful female characters. We now look forward to welcoming our jury composed of internationally recognized professionals to Lille and awarding the winner of the Best Project Award with €50,000,” commented Herszberg.
An international jury, presided over by Jorge Pezzi (Movistar Plus+), will award the Best Project Award with a €50,000 grand prize to help develop the winning series.
The selection features a wide international reach, including new territories such as Palestine, Kyrgyzstan, and Malaysia. Francesco Capurro, Director of Series Mania Forum, noted the impact of this event: “Since the launch of the Co-Pro Pitching Sessions at the Series Mania Forum, more than 40 projects have been produced and successfully broadcast across numerous territories. As a true development accelerator, these sessions offer a unique opportunity for producers to connect with potential co-producers, distributors, and international broadcasters.”
Below is a summary of the selected projects and their production details:
- "Aurora.newsroom". (6x52' - Mistrus Media, Amrion Oü, Good Hand Film & TV): A Baltic investigative journalist exposes a New Cold War spy network following a wind farm explosion.
- "Death Of A Diplomat" (6x55' - Truenorth, Blink49 Studios): In Iceland, a Canadian ambassador’s wife becomes an unofficial detective to solve a murder at a high-profile event.
- "Dejima" (6x52' - Studio 14 Films, Mintee Productions): Set in 1828 Japan, a French doctor and a Japanese noblewoman must flee as the old order collapses.
- "Fagnes" (6x52' - Les Gens Studio, Iris Productions): A Yenish teenager and a sergeant seek a truth that could spark war in Belgium's "Little Siberia."
- "Fit" (8x40' - Green Productions): A conservative community in Israel spirals out of control when intimate gym footage goes viral and an instructor disappears.
- "Ignition" (6x40' - Arkanum Pictures, ARD Degeto): An East German mechanic becomes a driver for outlaw bikers to save her family’s garage.
- "Imposter Syndrome" (6x60' - Eleventh Hour Films): A failing actor hired as a security double must prove his innocence when his employer is found dead.
- "Konrad" (6x45' - Glassriver): A retired Icelandic detective confronts his dark past and personal demons on a road to redemption.
- "Montroc" (6x52' - Haut et Court TV): In 1999 Chamonix, a rescue unit commander leads a race against time after a massive avalanche.
- "Power Couple" (6x45' - Fire Monkey Ltd.): A presidential candidate discovers her husband is a reactivated Russian sleeper agent.
- "Red Pants" (10x60' - Studio Oymo, Human Films): In 1970s Kyrgyzstan, a military officer's daughter forms the first female criminal gang to avenge her father.
- "The Glacier Murders" (6x50' - Brutal Media, Fabula): A young Spaniard inheriting a Patagonian hotel finds a frozen corpse and unravels a double murder.
- "The Transfer Of The Century" (5x50' - Indiana Production, Lucky Red): The true story of the high-stakes gamble to bring Maradona to an Italian club in debt.
- "Twisted Vines" (8x60' - Ochre Moving Pictures): A crime novelist returns to South Africa to solve her father’s murder and clear her brother’s name.
- "Without Standing" (8x50' - 100 Acres): In 1981 Madrid, a blacklisted secretary opens an unofficial law firm for wives seeking divorce.
- Additionally, the project "Gold" (6x45' - Contrast Film) from Switzerland will be presented out of competition, having been previously announced at the Berlinale's Co-Pro Series Market.
