The presentation emphasized a key industry trend: locally rooted stories are increasingly driving global interest, particularly when they address timely and universally relevant themes such as identity, social tension, and the impact of technology.
Among the highlighted titles was the Italian drama Standing Tall (A testa alta), produced for Mediaset, Canale 5. The series was featured within a segment dedicated to crime dramas set in educational environments—an emerging narrative space where personal and societal conflicts intersect.
Set in a lakeside town near Rome, Standing Tall follows a respected high school principal whose life is upended when a private video is leaked online, triggering a wave of public shaming. The series explores themes of digital exposure, cyberbullying, and social judgment, reflecting issues that resonate across international markets.
The show delivered strong results in Italy, particularly among younger audiences, significantly outperforming the channel’s average and confirming its relevance with contemporary viewers. According to Glance: “its success is driven by a combination of topical storytelling, emotional intensity, and the presence of popular actress Sabrina Ferilli, alongside high production values and a compelling narrative structure”.
A Testa Alta – Il coraggio di una donna, (tr.Standing Tall), starring Sabrina Ferilli. The series follows Virginia, a devoted mother and school educator who launches an initiative to combat digital addiction among her students. Her life is suddenly shaken when an intimate video involving her is leaked online, triggering a public scandal and forcing her to confront the consequences on both a personal and professional level. The finale attracted 4.03 million viewers, corresponding to a 28.2% audience share. The title was produced by RTI in collaboration with Banijay Studios Italia.
