The festival returns after a successful first edition in 2025, which featured 155 series from 34 countries and attracted a wide range of international talent and industry professionals. Among the guests were high-profile figures such as Kevin Spacey and Can Yaman, while the event also presented the Maximo Awards, celebrating excellence in television series.
The upcoming edition of the festival was also highlighted during the Berlin International Film Festival, where artistic director Marco Spagnoli took part in the Berlinale Series Market and shared several announcements connected to projects recognized during the festival’s first edition.One of them concerns the drama series The Assassin, which received the Best Director award in the Drama category at the Italian Global Series Festival, honoring Irish director Lisa Mulcahy.During the Berlin market, Amazon Prime Video confirmed that the series has been renewed for a second season, which is expected to enter production by the end of 2026.Created and written by Harry Williams and Jack Williams, The Assassin follows Julie, a former assassin played by Keeley Hawes, whose past resurfaces as she navigates dangerous situations alongside her son Edward, portrayed by Freddie Highmore, internationally known for The Good Doctor.The series is produced by Two Brothers Pictures, the studio behind Fleabag, in association with All3Media International, and is broadcast in Italy by Mediaset.
Another project connected to the festival’s first edition also attracted industry attention in Berlin. The Chilean drama Hidden Island (Isla Oculta)—a winner at the Italian Global Series Festival—The series had previously received the Special Jury Prize in the Drama competition at the festival, awarded by a jury chaired by Italian filmmaker Cristina Comencini.Created by Pablo Díaz del Río, Hidden Island (Isla Oculta) follows a detective working in southern Patagonia who investigates the disappearance of an archaeologist. The case echoes the earlier disappearance of the detective’s own twin sister and becomes entangled with the mystery surrounding a legendary island.
For the second edition, APA President Chiara Sbarigia revealed that the festival will feature an updated format, introducing several new elements.These include: a new section dedicated to children’s series, greater attention to artistic and creative professions in the audiovisual industry, and a new award recognizing casting directors. Artistic director Marco Spagnoli said the festival aims to become an important meeting place for professionals working across the television industry, from writing and music to costumes, scenography and the creation of complex narrative universes.The long-term ambition is to transform the Italian Global Series Festival into a reference point for the international television industry, celebrating stories, talent and audiovisual productions that represent one of Italy’s most significant cultural and creative assets.
The program will continue to include international premieres in competition, keynote conversations with leading figures of global television, and public encounters with popular actors and creators. For further information: Link
Photos from the announcement event feature Lucia Borgonzoni, Carlo Brugnoni, Chiara Sbarigia, and Sandra Villa.
