Series Mania has unveiled the selection of 10 series for its inaugural buyers upfront event, scheduled for March 24, 2025, in Lille.
The invitation-only gathering aims to link top-tier buyers with exclusive previews of upcoming international series, serving as a prelude to the Series Mania Forum, the festival’s industry section, which runs March 25-27.
The event kicks off with the Beta Brunch, a market presentation from the veteran German outfit, followed by 12-minute presentations of each selected series. The lineup, curated by the festival’s artistic team based on artistic merit and broad audience appeal, includes:
Dangerous Truth (Germany) a thriller sold by OneGate Media that follows Alex Jaromin, who has spent 20 years in witness protection in Athens, believing his father was killed by Serbian nationalists. When his mother dies, he discovers the truth behind his family’s past, uncovering a secret government operation linked to Baghdad.
Escaping Bolivia (Norway) – a drama/thriller from REinvent International Sales. Ida, her girlfriend, and her sister-in-law are arrested in Bolivia for drug smuggling and sentenced to 13 years in prison. Trapped in a world of lies and betrayal, she is given a chance to escape but must decide whom she can truly trust.
Fusion (Iceland) – This thriller, being sold by The Mediapro Studio Distribution and Wild Sheep Content, follows Jónas, a chef trying to rebuild his life after wrongful imprisonment, who opens a restaurant with illicit funds. His involvement in money laundering threatens his parole, his freedom, and his family’s trust.
Puzzle Lady (UK) – A Brit mystery crime series from ZDF Studios focused on crossword expert Cora Felton (Downton Abbey‘s Phyllis Logan) who moves to the sleepy town of Bakerbury, only to become entangled in a local murder mystery. With her reluctant niece by her side, she must decipher a cryptic crossword clue left at the crime scene to catch the killer.
Riot Women (UK) — A drama series sold by Mediawan Rights in which five women form a makeshift punk-rock band for a local talent contest, only to discover the music is powerful means of self-expression and rebellion.
S Line (South Korea) – In this sci-fi thriller, being sold by Sidus, Hyun-heup can see the “S line” – a red thread that links people with intimate connections. When a technology that reveals S-Lines is blamed for a gruesome murder, Hyun-heup teams up with detective Han Ji-wook to discover who is behind the conspiracy.
Shadow Leaks (Germany) – This young adult thriller from Beta Film is set in a high school where a website is exposing the pupils’ deepest secrets. Nola, the new kid in school, tries to discover who is behind the leaks, but soon realizes the anonymous mastermind knows her own dark secret and plans to use it against her.
The Danish Woman (Iceland) – This Scandi comedy from The Party Film Sales features The Girl With The Needle co-star Trine Dyrholm as a retired Danish Secret Service agent, who moves to Reykjavik seeking a quiet life. However, her deep sense of justice drives her to intervene in her neighbors’ problems—whether they want her help or not.
The Deal (Switzerland/France/Luxembourg/Belgium) – Gamount’s thriller sees Swiss diplomat Alexandra Weiss (The Broken Circle Breakdown star Veerle Baetens) tasked with brokering last-chance nuclear negotiations between the U.S. and Iran. When a former lover reappears seeking her protection, she is forced to choose between professional duty and personal loyalty.
War of the Kingdoms (Germany) — An epic fantasy series (previously titled Hagen), being sold by Fremantle, inspired by medieval tale The Song of the Nibelungs, source material for both The Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones, this follows medieval epic follows Lord Commander Hagen, a devoted soldier torn between loyalty to his king and forbidden love for Princess Kriemhild.
A six-member jury of industry professionals will evaluate these series, and present the inaugural Buyers Choice Award at this year’s Series Mania. The initiative is part of the festival’s move to expand its industry section to become a must-attend event for international buyers.
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