Series Mania Confirms Second Edition of Series Mania Buyers Upfront

The Series Mania Buyers Upfront will return in 2026 as a prelude to Series Mania Forum, which is running from March 24 to 26.

The event is designed to provide buyers with exclusive access to highly anticipated series and facilitate networking opportunities with leading distributors. It will take place next year on March 23 at the Chamber of Commerce, the Festival headquarters, in Lille.

The call for series will be open from December 16 to February 10. A jury of top buyers will present the Buyers Choice Award to the most promising series. The 2026 jury is made up of Fredrik Luihn, head of acquisitions at NRK (Norway); Haruka Jorgensen, content acquisition manager at WOWOW (Japan); Morad Koufane, head of international and young adult drama at France Télévisions (France); Margarida Pereira, director of international acquisitions and sales at TVI (Portugal); and Nick Lee, head of acquisitions at the BBC (U.K.).

“The response we received last year to this new initiative was phenomenal,” said Laurence Herszberg, founder and general director of Series Mania. “Our mission was to offer buyers a unique opportunity for exclusive screenings, dedicated meetings and networking opportunities, and from the feedback we received, we accomplished our goal. We look forward to welcoming our new jury members to Lille as well as providing our guests with the wonderful BETA brunch again next year.”

“Last year, our Series Mania Buyers Upfront marked a new chapter in the Forum’s evolution,” added Francesco Capurro, director of Series Mania Forum. “We were delighted to announce Gaumont’s The Deal as the winner of the first annual Buyers Choice Award. From creation to international distribution, we are further solidifying our position as a one-stop shop and the must-attend event of the spring for the scripted community.”