Berlinale Series enjoyed its most successful edition to date, with over 3,000 tickets sold

In its fourth year at the Berlin International Film Festival, the programme Berlinale Series enjoyed its most successful edition to date, with over 3,000 tickets sold, and sold-out cinemas at Zoo Palast, the Berlinale Series venue.

Numerous stars including Natalie Dormer, Jeff Daniels, Tahar Rahim, Peter Sarsgaard, Jared Harris, Paula Beer and Connie Nielsen presented the world and international premieres of seven series. Among them were new discoveries such as the Norwegian production Heimebane (Home Ground), celebrated by press and audiences alike, as well as highly anticipated titles such as The Looming Tower (USA). The series Bad Banks proved to be an indication that great things can be expected on the German series landscape in years to come.

A stronger showing by the German series industry was also visible at the “Drama Series Days” events and screenings for market audiences. High interest was evident in upcoming German titles like M: A City Looks For A Murderer, Eight Days, Arthur’s Law, Perfume, and the second season of the hit series 4 Blocks – all presented in showcases to the press and international trade audiences by Martina Gedeck, Ken Duken, Oliver Berben and Marvin Kren, among others. The “Drama Series Days” programme, initiated in 2015, had record participation with over 700 guests. The conference programme was well-attended and the selected Market Screenings also met with lively interest.

One of the most-attended events was once again the pitch and networking event “CoPro Series”, organised by the Berlinale Co-Production Market. At the event, eight selected international series projects were presented and their producers had the opportunity to meet potential co-production and financing partners among the 300 guests. Projects with notable directors such as Dominik Graf and Matthias Luthardt (Germany) were among those presented, as well as new projects by showrunner and Emmy Award winner Gjermund S. Eriksen (Norway), and Ivo M. Ferreira (Portugal), director of the Berlinale Competition film Letters from War (2016).