Global Screen is also showcasing Amber Alert<\/em><\/a>, a series hailing from Canada about the investigation into the disappearance of an autistic boy. \u201cAmber Alert<\/em> comes from the renowned Canadian production company Pixcom (Adulthood<\/em>, Victor Lessard<\/em>),\u201d Weber notes. \u201cThe skillful way in which the story of the police investigation, the history of the family and the events around the kidnapping itself are interwoven makes this high-quality series as gripping as a socio-drama and exciting as a thriller.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The Optimists: Caribbean Season<\/em>, meanwhile, is set amid the Cuban Missile Crisis. \u201cViewers will witness masterful diplomacy, adventurism and romance taking place while a nuclear war is threatening the world,\u201d Matyash says. \u201cIt is a refined detective story that always resonates with the audience. The series is not limited to one genre only: it is a perfect combination of a love story, spy drama, action and light notes of humor.\u201d<\/p>\n Going further back in time, Global Screen\u2019s Turbulent Skies<\/em><\/a> explores the stories of the founders of Dutch aviation, Albert Plesman and Anthony Fokker. \u201cTurbulent Skies<\/em> by Topkapi Films (Broken Circle<\/em>, Another Round<\/em>) aims to join the ranks of the state-of-the-art drama so popular with audiences today,\u201d says Weber. \u201cIt depicts a historical setting with dynamic camera work, cutting-edge visual effects and high-end art direction and is bound for an international audience.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Also on offer is the latest installment in ZDF\u2019s hit Ku\u2019damm<\/em> trilogy, Ku\u2019damm 63<\/em><\/a>. ZDFE.drama\u2019s Krekeler says, \u201cKu\u2019damm 63<\/em> is the latest follow-up to the highly successful Ku\u2019damm 56<\/em> and 59<\/em>. The series reached up to 6.4 million viewers and a 19.6 percent market share on ZDF in Germany and was licensed to over 30 broadcasters around the globe.\u201d<\/p>\n ATV is showcasing For My Family<\/em><\/a>, the survival story of four young siblings who lost their parents on the same day. \u201cFor My Family<\/em> is a unique and warm family drama that presents Istanbul\u2019s both suburban and wealthy view along with the chosen and highly talented cast,\u201d Akar says. \u201cWith its high production [values], it became a great success in Turkey\u2019s Saturday prime time.\u201d<\/p>\n From Madd Entertainment, meanwhile, comes A Woman Scorned<\/em><\/a>, about Asya, who discovers her husband\u2019s betrayal and sets out to reclaim her life.<\/p>\n![\"Image\"](\"http:\/\/newsletters.worldscreen.com\/tvdrama\/img\/2021-03-29-zdf_enterprises_susanne_frank.jpg\")
While conventional wisdom these days indicates that viewers (and, by extension, content buyers) are in the mood for light, uplifting stories to fill their downtime as the world struggles to emerge from life under Covid-19, the crime drama business is as busy as ever. The crime offerings in this TV Drama Screenings Festival include ZDF Enterprises\u2019 brand-new ANA. all in.<\/em><\/a>, set in the gambling world and slated to air on RTVE in Spain. \u201cThe global gambling market is expected to reach revenues of over $525 billion by 2023,\u201d says Susanne Frank, director, ZDFE.drama. \u201cThe gambling industry is an attractive and international setting for a series. Even more, as the story of ANA. all in.<\/em> is based on real events, it reflects the underlying drama and reveals the relevant social aspects.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Image\"](\"http:\/\/newsletters.worldscreen.com\/tvdrama\/img\/2021-03-29-GlobalScreen-Julia-Weber.jpg\")
Also brand-new to the market is Global Screen\u2019s FAST<\/em><\/a>, a ten-part procedural about the Finnish Fugitive Active Search Team. \u201cThis spectacular crime series brings together Finland’s greatest talents, who are convincing both in the exciting action scenes and in their clever tactical operations,\u201d says Julia Weber, head of international sales and acquisitions. Plus, Weber points out, \u201cFAST <\/em>is produced by Yellow Film & TV, also responsible for the successful series Nurses<\/em>and Arctic Circle<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Image\"](\"http:\/\/newsletters.worldscreen.com\/tvdrama\/img\/2021-03-29-zdf_enterprises_sebastian_krekeler.jpg\")
Also combining crime and family drama is ZDF Enterprises\u2019 Standing Tall<\/em><\/a>, a Publispei production for Rai. \u201cDirected by Gianluca Maria Tavarelli (The Young Montalbano<\/em>, Maltese<\/em>), Standing Tall <\/em>is a powerful crime series that follows a former policeman\u2019s unofficial investigation into the death of his son, whom he hadn\u2019t seen for years,\u201d says Sebastian Krekeler, director, ZDFE.drama. \u201cA painful redemption to reclaim a bond that not even death can break: a father and a son.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Image\"](\"http:\/\/newsletters.worldscreen.com\/tvdrama\/img\/2021-03-29-zdf-enterprises-yiqiao.jpg\")
Meanwhile, in Grow<\/em><\/a>, produced for TV 2 Denmark, a young stockbroker, dissatisfied with his ordinary life, is captivated by the murky underworld of drug dealing as he seeks out his deceased father\u2019s past. When he faces his brother, a policeman, his two worlds collide. \u201cGrow<\/em> is about self-discovery and morale set in a captivating multi-plot story,\u201d says Yi Qiao, director, ZDFE.drama. \u201cIt\u2019s a story that constantly changes between a breathless thriller, deep development of character and an at times dissident reflection on what happiness is in an apathetic society. An exceptional drama with many layers, suspenseful but also thought-provoking.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n![\"Image\"](\"http:\/\/newsletters.worldscreen.com\/tvdrama\/img\/2021-03-29-ATV-Muge-Akar.jpg\")
Period dramas also continue to be in-demand among buyers. ATV continues to see interest in its hit series The Ottoman<\/em><\/a>, in which Burak \u00d6z\u00e7ivit \u201cgives life to the father of the Ottoman Empire,\u201d says M\u00fcge Akar, a content sales deputy manager at ATV. \u201cThe second season of The Ottoman<\/em> continues to bring high rating results in Turkey. The title has been already licensed to more than 30 countries.\u201d There are more than 185 episodes available of the series.<\/p>\n![\"Image\"](\"http:\/\/newsletters.worldscreen.com\/tvdrama\/img\/2021-03-29-Sovtelexport-JMatyash.jpg\")
Russia Television and Radio\/Sovtelexport has a sweeping portfolio of historical series, with its MIPTV highlights led by The Terrible<\/em><\/a> and The Optimists: Caribbean Season<\/em><\/a>. Julia Matyash, director of Sovtelexport, says The Terrible<\/em> tells the true story of the \u201cgreat love and relentless brutality of the first Russian Tsar, Ivan IV. A brilliant cast, hundreds of extras, over a thousand costumes and 400 elaborate prosthetic makeup designs will take the viewer right to the 16th century\u2014a time of important historical changes and people\u2019s emotional drama. The program corresponds to the signature style of Russia Television and Radio\u2019s catalog. Our international partners look forward to seeing this type of content from us every year.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Image\"](\"http:\/\/newsletters.worldscreen.com\/tvdrama\/img\/2021-03-29-zdf_enterprises_mirela_nastatse.jpg\")
ZDF Enterprises is showcasing Voltaire in Love<\/em><\/a>, which was commissioned by France T\u00e9l\u00e9visions. Mirela Nastase, director, ZDFE.drama, says of the lush new production: \u201cThis ambitious historical drama captures the turbulent life of one of the world\u2019s greatest philosophers. Voltaire\u2019s romantic liaisons and the issues he had with his father are part of the story. His commitment against religious fanaticism, the misuse of justice and politics and his imprisonment are all covered in this powerful and dynamic miniseries.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Image\"](\"http:\/\/newsletters.worldscreen.com\/tvdrama\/img\/2021-03-29-ATRESMEDIA_Diana-Borbon.jpg\")
There are indeed plenty of historical figures that have proven to be ripe with storytelling opportunities for content creators today. Atresmedia TV is touting Veneno<\/em><\/a>, \u201can acclaimed series that has become an icon of LGBT visibility,\u201d says Diana Borb\u00f3n, sales manager. \u201cIt tells the life and death of a charismatic transgender woman, known as La Veneno, who achieved fame by conquering the audience with her television appearances in the \u201990s.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Image\"](\"http:\/\/newsletters.worldscreen.com\/tvdrama\/img\/2021-03-29-Bavaria_Media-CarlosHertel.jpg\")
From the past to the future, Bavaria Media International is unveiling Exit<\/em><\/a>, a thriller set in 2047. \u201cExit<\/em> is an impressively tightly wound near-future thriller with a long list of virtual and digital ingredients,\u201d says Carlos Hertel, the company\u2019s director of international sales. \u201cThe enterprising startup vibe and youthful tone are peppered with historically Orwellian concepts\u2014Infinitalk\u2014in addition to themes like love, loss, greed, self-doubt and even the lights of irony.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Image\"](\"http:\/\/newsletters.worldscreen.com\/tvdrama\/img\/2021-03-29-Can-Okan.jpg\")
Contemporary family dramas are also selling well, especially those from Turkey. Inter Medya is bringing to the market Last Summer<\/em><\/a>, a new production from O3 Medya. Can Okan, founder and CEO of Inter Medya, says the series \u201ctakes viewers on a roller-coaster ride of emotions as it explores love, family and friendship with a dose of action.\u201d Also on offer is The Ambassador\u2019s Daughter<\/em><\/a>, starring Engin Aky\u00fcrek and Neslihan Atag\u00fcl, telling the powerful love story about Sancar and Nare. \u201cThey are always longing for one another; they only saw each other two days a year but there were never two minutes they did not think of each other,\u201d Okan says.<\/p>\n![\"Image\"](\"http:\/\/newsletters.worldscreen.com\/tvdrama\/img\/2021-03-29-DoriMedia-Carolina-Sabbag.jpg\")
Dori Media is offering Esau<\/em><\/a>, which Carolina Sabbag, VP of sales at Dori Media Distribution, describes as a \u201ca modern twist on the biblical story of Jacob and Esau in the book of Genesis,\u201d and \u201can intense four-episode drama about the complicated relationship between two brothers and a dispute of love.\u201d Dori Media\u2019s Normal<\/em><\/a>, meanwhile, is focused on a young writer who is committed to a psych ward by his father.<\/p>\n