SERIES MANIA FORUM — CO-PRO PITCHING SESSIONS
Series Mania is France's top television series festival, founded in 2010 by Laurence Herszberg, held every March in Lille. Its Co-Pro Pitching Sessions are among the most prestigious series pitching competitions in the world — 15 projects are chosen from around 400 submissions from 65+ countries and pitched live to an international jury of broadcasters and distributors including ZDF, ARTE, SVT, and Movistar+. The winner receives EUR 50,000 for further development. In 2026, South African production company Ochre Moving Pictures was selected with Twisted Vines (a wine-route crime thriller set in South Africa) — proving African projects are competitive. Previous winners include French-Japanese series Tokyo Crush (2025).
Deadline
2026 call: CLOSED (deadline was October 2025). NEXT CALL: opens approximately September/October 2026.
Cost
FREE — No submission fee
Format
Series only. All genres of scripted drama: thriller, crime, comedy, sci-fi, historical, romance, coming-of-age.
Eligibility
Production companies worldwide. Up to 3 projects per company. English required. No nationality restrictions. Optional: letter of interest or development contract from a TV channel.
What You Get
Live pitch to leading international broadcasters and distributors. Winner receives EUR 50,000 for further series development. All 15 selected projects gain major international exposure and co-production meeting slots. The South African NFVF and Institut Francais (IFAS) organise a delegation of South African producers to attend each year.
What to Submit
Series dossier (A4, Calibri 12pt, 1.15 spacing, min 2cm margins): logline, synopsis, character and narrative arc descriptions, short episodic synopsis if available, world and tone presentation, creator/producer/writer note, financing plan, creative team biographies. One fully written scene or pilot script. Max recommended 15 pages.
Insider Tips
A letter of interest — even just one page — from your national broadcaster (SABC, Africa Magic, e.tv, NTV, KBC, etc.) dramatically improves selection odds. Contact your national broadcaster BEFORE GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR AFRICAN FILM & SERIES MAKERS | 2025/2026 EDITION | Updated March 2026 Compiled March 2026 directed by Cati Weinek with Fab Claude.. Always verify deadlines and eligibility on official programme websites before applying. submitting. Make the 'world and tone' section specific and visual — reference comparable international series.
Set reminder for September/October 2026 — Series Mania Forum Co-Pro Pitching Sessions call opens then.
Applications are closed
This opportunity is no longer accepting applications. Browse open opportunities
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