Ready to Take Off: „Drama Series Days“ at the European Film Market
Düsseldorf, February 3, 2015. The Film- und Medienstiftung NRW is expanding its presence at the Berlinale and serving as a partner of the „Drama Series Days“, the newly founded initiative for quality series at the European Film Market (EFM).
„Unusual stories, outstanding production values, top-rate directors, writers and actors – quality series are among those formative genres in contemporary audiovisual culture that are questioning the dividing lines between film and television. Integrating series and their makers within the Berlinale is a consistent and innovative step that we are supporting with conviction,“ says Petra Müller, CEO of the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW. „We are looking forward to this renewed collaboration with the European Film Market and the first edition of the ‚Drama Series Days‘ in Berlin!“
Different aspects of current series production will be highlighted in various panel discussions. The Filmstiftung will be hosting the Industry Debate „Ready to Take Off? High-end Drama Series Made in Germany“ with Stefan Arndt (X Filme Creative Pool), Oliver Berben (Moovie), Matthias Glasner (director „Blochin – The Living and the Dead“), Heike Hempel (ZDF) and Jan Mojto (Beta Film) on Monday, February 9, at 4 p.m. in the Gropius Mirror opposite the Martin Gropius Bau. The IFA is the cooperation parter of the discussion within the EFM, in association with The Hollywood Reporter. Those accredited at the festival and market delegates can register online in advance.
On February 9 and 10, the creators, producers and key players will be able to present, sell and buy quality series content from Europe and North America at the EFM. The EFM Buyers Lounge will be at the disposal of buyers and sellers on both days. Special market screenings will present the latest series from Scandinavian, British and German broadcasters such as the Swedish production „Jordskott“ (ITV Studios Global Entertainment), the Danish series „Follow the Money“ from Danish Broadcasting, or „Blue Eyes“ from ZDF Enterprises.
The Berlinale Co-Production Market within the framework of the EFM will also be addressing the issue and inviting key players from the series industry to the new CoPro Series pitching on February 10. Six handpicked series projects will be presented there, including „Babylon Berlin“, the first German series project by the hit director Tom Tykwer.
The Berlinale Special Series sidebar will present the first two episodes of the RTL and Ufa Fiction-produced event series „Deutschland 83“ by Edward Berger and Samira Radsi with Jonas Nay, Maria Schrader, Ulrich Noethen, and others, as a world premiere. The line-up also includes Matthias Glasner’s „Blochin – The Living and the Dead“ with Jürgen Vogel as well as „1992“ by Giuseppe Gagliardi, „Follow the Money“ by Per Fly, „Better Call Saul“ by Collin Bucksey, Adam Bernstein, Vince Gilligan, „Blue Eyes“ by Henrik Georgsson, Fredrik Edfeldt and Emiliano Goessens, „Bloodline“ by Johan Renck and „False Flag“ by Oded Ruskin.
The European Film Market is being held from February 5-13 as part of the 65th Berlin International Film Festival findet (February 5 – 15, 2015). With this expanded focus, one of the world’s most important film markets is providing series producers with a platform for the first time, thereby acknowledging the international success of quality TV series.
The Filmstiftung NRW is represented at this year’s Berlinale with a total of 29 films and, as in previous years, will have a presence on the „Focus Germany“ stand at the EFM.
The complete programme and further information about the „Drama Series Days“ can be found at www.efm-berlinale.de/en/match-and-meet/drama-series-days/drama-series-days.html