Berlinale 2015: Film- und Medienstiftung NRW is the partner of the „Drama Series Days“

• Launch of the new „Drama Series Days“ platform for quality series at the 2015 Berlinale’s EFM
• Market Screenings for series content and Business Lounge for buyers and sellers

The European Film Market of the Berlin International Film Festival (February 5 – 15, 2015) is extending its focus and giving series a new platform from the coming year. The Film- und Medienstiftung NRW is a partner of the „Drama Series Days“ initiative at the EFM.

On Monday, February 9, 2015, the Filmstiftung NRW will be organising an Industry Debate – as in previous years – with the IFA (Internationale Funkausstellung) and The Hollywood Reporter.

Creators, producers and those interested in drama series  can now also present, sell and buy high-quality series content at the European Film Market (February 5 – 13, 2015). On February 9 and 10, the EFM will organise special Market Screenings and a  Business Lounge for buyers and sellers  of series. The regional focus of the productions presented at the EFM will be on Europe. They will include the latest series  from Scandinavian, British and German broadcasters.

„As a creative film region and leading TV hub, North Rhine-Westphalia has always had a great expertise in internatonal co-production and quality television,“ says Filmstiftung CEO Petra Müller. „Opening up to series offers an important additional dimension to the festival and the film industry and also gives German producers the opportunity to present their current projects during the Berlinale. The cooperation makes sense for the Film- und Medienstiftung because we have  been extending our funding portfolio for some time  to include the development of top-class series. We look forward to the collaboration with the EFM and the first edition of ‚Drama Series Days‘ in Berlin!“

„The significance and perception of series as a relevant narrative form have rapidly grown in recent years. Unusual, often equally complex and sophisticated stories combined with high production values and a first-class acting ensemble are now the trademarks of successful drama series, and they have moved the format closer to film. It was therefore natural for us to make this step and offer series producers and creators a corresponding platform at the EFM in 2015 for the first time. We are pleased to have the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW as a competent partner at our side ", explains Matthijs Wouter Knol, Director of the European Film Market.