First topics and speakers of conference program announced

In a time when powerful tools of audiovisual creation are accessible to everybody, which storytellers will be able to pierce through the noise? With her opening keynote “Real Imagination” industry guru Tatjana Samopjan (Fractal Volcano, Stockholm), creative consultant, examines the core of authentic, impactful storytelling. The subsequent opening panel “All Eyes On Me” jumps right into the ever present battleground for attention in the digital age starting with an overview by Ampere Analysis followed by a discussion unraveling the latest trends, challenges and opportunities featuring among others London based Marc Lorber (The Art of Coporoduction) and Nataly Kudiabor (UFA Fiction).
 
The conference will further cover a range of topics shaping the industry today, which are often overlooked, including among others:
 
“Great, another perfect female lead. Why can’t she be more relatable?” – everyone can at least relate to this controversial question. Ljubica Lukovic, Serbian creator and writer of “Awake” (Canneseries winner 2021) and German author, creator and journalist Caroline Rosales (“Miki Unchained”) examine the evolution of female leads and how to balance strength and vulnerability without being too perfect, too flawless.Under the heading “Person as Property” French writer and co-creator of “Becoming Karl Lagerfeld” Isaure Pisani-Ferry, Christian Beetz (beetz brothers Filmproduction, Berlin), producer of “Young Berlusconi” and “Juan Carlos” and others will explore the challenges of using IP based on a human being and how to balance fact versus fiction.
 
Based in Germany’s capital, Seriesly Berlin puts a spotlight on stories born and produced in Berlin: "Created by Berlin" will explore the untapped potential of the city. This session will feature Henning Kamm (Real Film, Berlin) among others and will explore Berlin's unique creative landscape.
 
“Breaking the Cycle: Innovating Conference Programming” brings together festival event masterminds such as Gaia Tridente (MIA – Mercato Internazionale Audiovisivo, Rome), Francesco Capurro (Series Mania Forum, Lille) and Marge Liiske (Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event) who will share their secrets of keeping their programming fresh and exciting, season after season.
 
Genre has often been considered a second-tier form, but the success of non-English language shows like Dark, Squid Game, and Casa de Papel suggests otherwise. „Genre as a Trojan Horse. Balancing Art and Mainstream“ will feature Emmy-nominated Spanish creator Alvaro Carmona(“Show Yourself”), French writer and director Olivier Fox (“Nu”, "Osmosis") and Anna Rohde-Seyfried (Beta Film, München) who will be examining how creators can maintain their unique voice while achieving mainstream success.
 
Could the indie spirit drive creativity and resilience in an evolving market with fewer commissions and tighter budgets? The panel “Wild at heart. Is indie filmmaking becoming the new mainstream?”, including Lucas Ochoa, producer of "American Honey", "The Witch" and "Gangs of London" and London based award-winning writer and producer Anthony Alleyne will introduce different perspectives.
 
“Adaptation Alchemy: From Page and Sound to Screen” with Josie Cyrus (Ink Factory, London/L.A.), which handles John le Carré’s adaptations such as "The Night Manager" and Jorgo Narjes (X Filme Creative Pool, Berlin), producer of the acclaimed series adaptation of true crime podcast "Zeit Verbrechen” will explore how to translate stories from one medium to another while maintaining the original’s essence.

Workshops at the festival will cover a wide range of topics, there will also be a think tank bridging the gap between various creative industries as well as a a formal pitch session.
 
The program of the Seriesly Berlin Screenings, welcoming the general public and all series afficionados to experience new international series, will be announced soon.