Slovakian Political Drama Wins Series Mania Forum Co-Pro Pitch

The political drama Our People, hailing from Slovakia, has been selected as the winner of the Series Mania Forum Best Project Award from the annual Co-Pro Pitching Sessions.

Our People was chosen from the 15 projects selected and pitched on the first day of the Series Mania Forum. Produced by Jakub Viktorín and Tomáš Hrubý for nutprodukcia, the drama focuses on the murder of a journalist that overthrows the balance of power in Slovakia. It is written by Tereza Nvotová and Miro Sifra and directed by Nvotová.

Nina Lederman, executive VP of global scripted development and programming at Sony Pictures Television, served as jury president, with a panel that included Marco Chimenz, group co-general manager at Federation Studios; Jennifer Ebell, executive VP for EMEA sales and acquisitions at Fifth Season; Marianne Furevold-Boland, head of drama at NKR; and Karin Marelle, VP of program acquisitions and co-productions at Starz.

The Our People team received a check for €50,000 ($54,300).

“Our People is a smart, thoughtful, compelling story that enlightens and entertains while giving power to truth,” commented Lederman. “We encourage the writing and producing team to pursue their goal.”

Laurence Herszberg, founder and general director of Series Mania, said, “The Co-Pro Pitching Sessions are one of the most anticipated parts of the Series Mania Forum, and we are delighted to be giving the €50,000 prize to Our People. We are extremely pleased that our distinguished jury chose to give the award to this explosive political drama out of Slovakia that delves into the murder of an investigative journalist and brings to the forefront the questions surrounding free speech, an issue [that is] very important today. This story also emphasizes the fact that important local stories, when told strongly, will resonate worldwide.”