A New Italian TV Festival Makes Its Debut
This morning, the debut of a vibrant Italian TV festival dedicated to both local and international series was announced, bringing significant excitement to the industry.
The Italian Global Series Festival (IGSF) is set to occur in the northern Italian cities of Riccione and Rimini from June 21 to 28. The festival’s details were shared at a press conference in Rome by Marco Spagnoli, the artistic director.
The IGSF is seen as the spiritual successor to the Roma Fiction Festival, which concluded its run in 2016 after ten years. The festival has received the prestigious endorsement of the High Patronage of the President of the Italian Republic, as stated by the event organizers.
Star-Studded Jury and Premier Awards
The festival’s jury will include illustrious figures such as Bille August, a two-time Palme d’Or recipient, alongside acclaimed director and screenwriter Cristina Comencini (known for works like Don’t Tell and When the Night), and Paolo Genovese, a celebrated director and writer famed for Perfect Strangers. They will evaluate a variety of shows, including dramas, comedies, limited series, and TV movies. Competing titles will be eligible for top honors such as Best Series, Best Leading Actor and Actress, Best Creator and/or Director at the newly established Maximo Awards. Moreover, a special award for Italian Fiction will be granted to a local series broadcast in Italy from June 1, 2024, to May 31, 2025. Additionally, the National Union of Film Journalists will present a Special Nastro D’argento to a significant international co-production featured at the festival.
The inaugural Maximo Excellence Awards will honor notable personalities including Evangeline Lilly, recognized for her role in Lost, Adjoa Andoh from Bridgerton, and Elena Sofia Ricci from Godmother. Other awardees include Carlo Verdone, celebrated for his long-standing comedic contributions in Vita da Carlo, and the legendary electronic music pioneer Giorgio Moroder.
Insightful Sessions and Industry Engagement
The festival will also offer keynotes and masterclasses featuring both Italian and international talent, along with sneak peeks of upcoming series presented by their casts and creators. Piera Detassis, President of the David di Donatello Awards, and Laura Delli Colli, President of the National Union of Film Journalists, will host discussions with industry talents.
Spagnoli emphasized the festival’s dual purpose: to promote Italian productions within a diverse international arena and to celebrate national talent, ensuring the sustainability of the current star system and fostering the next generation of industry leaders.
Expressing his gratitude towards the Ministry of Culture and the Audiovisual Producers Association, Spagnoli reflected on the opportunity to work on this project, aiming for the IGSF to become a pivotal industry hub, celebrating the rich narrative and production quality that exemplify Italian excellence.
The festival arrives amidst a dynamic expansion and transformation of the global TV market, which now operates on a year-round basis. This change is evident as new events like Seriesly Berlin begin in Germany, long-standing events like MIP TV relocate to London, and the London TV Screenings continue to rise in prominence.
Daniel Hayes is a business journalist with a focus on market trends, startups, and corporate strategies.
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