Series Mania Festival Highlights Television's Role in Global Soft Power Dynamics
The Series Mania festival concluded in Lille on March 27, 2026, exploring how television series function as instruments of cultural influence for nations. Former French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin emphasized the significance of visual narratives in international relations. Festival director Laurence Herszberg noted 380 submissions this year, with increased European creativity and fewer bold American entries. The event featured series addressing political themes, including Israeli spy drama 'Tehran,' Belgian program 'The Best Immigrant' about immigration policy, and Spanish series 'Anatomie d'un instant' examining post-Franco politics. Discussions considered potential self-censorship in U.S. production amid changing media ownership.
Key facts
- Series Mania festival ended March 27, 2026 in Lille, France
- Festival received 380 series submissions, down from 450 previous year
- European series showed increased creativity while American entries declined in boldness
- Former French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin discussed series as soft power tools
- Multiple series addressed political themes including immigration, authoritarian regimes, and historical events
Entities
Institutions
- Series Mania
- KAN 11
- Apple TV
- Canal+
- RTS
- Arte
- Paramount-Warner
- BBC
- Thomson Reuters Foundation
- Disney+
Locations
- Lille
- France
- Tehran
- Iran
- Israel
- Geneva
- Belgium
- Switzerland
- United States
- Flanders
- Spain
- Netherlands