Event Preview: Drama Series Days

The Berlinale’s industry platforms European Film Market (EFM), Berlinale Co-Production Market and Berlinale Talents are again hosting the Drama Series Days in Berlin, following a successful launch in 2015. On February 15 and 16, creators and producers of high-quality drama and documentary series will meet with various platforms and channels to present and sell their new works or to network with other industry members.

Matthijs Wouter Knol, director of the EFM, explains that the addition of Drama Series Days into the market was a natural progression, since the Berlin International Film Festival started screening drama series a few years ago. As more creative talent that was attending the festival and market moved into the development and production of TV drama programming, the events followed suit. “If Jane Campion sends in a great TV series, why wouldn’t the festival include that as well?” Knol says. “Her series Top of the Lake was actually one of the starting points.”

From the success of the 2015 Drama Series Days event, the EFM was encouraged to keep the momentum going. “Reactions were very positive and the audiences and industry really loved the initiative,” says Knol. “We also saw a new group of buyers coming to the event; overall, we learned that it was a good idea to include series.”

The EFM will be presenting a selection of market screenings of the latest drama series from Europe and North America, alongside its program of talks and events about industry trends and developments. For this year, Knol says the selection process was even more rigorous. “There is a lot more content to choose from, and we’ve been very picky to get an eclectic selection.”

He also notes that more countries will be included this year, with notable submissions of two series from Belgium and France. A particular highlight is the French sci-fi series Trepalium, which is debuting on ARTE this year. The series has strong political themes, which Knol says has been a trend in the dramas he’s seeing submitted. “It’s hard to produce anything in Europe these days that doesn’t have a political undertone,” he notes. “That’s a theme that fits very well into our profile. We like shows that have engagement with the world we live in today, that dare to go where it hurts.” Knol says that he’s enthused about the mix of established producers and emerging young talent that are taking part in the event as well.

The Berlinale Co-Production Market will present eight handpicked international series projects in development to potential co-production partners, funders and broadcasters. Concurrent events include Berlinale Talents, which will host 300 emerging film and drama series professionals from 79 countries.