Formatbiz had the pleasure of meeting Francesco Capurro, Director of the Series Mania Forum, who shared insights into the remarkable growth and evolution of this successful event
Francesco Capurro: At first, we were at the Forum des Images, in Paris, and a few professionals knew us. Little by little, the event grew. The transition from Paris to Lille wasn’t easy initially, but it turned out to be a fantastic opportunity for growth. Now, professionals come back year after year, and there’s a real affection towards the event, which brings people back each year, more and more.
Formatbiz: The transition from Paris to Lille was initially challenging. What were some of the obstacles, and how did the move ultimately contribute to the event’s growth?
Francesco Capurro: The festival remained in Paris until its relocation to Lille in 2018, following a competitive selection process among several cities. Moving to Lille wasn’t easy; however, it opened new doors. Professionals have shown great loyalty to Series Mania, and we’ve built a solid reputation. This year, I believe the event will grow further, especially since MIP TV is no longer in the picture, which will inevitably shift things.
Formatbiz: You mentioned that MIP TV’s cancellation created a gap in the market. How has Series Mania Forum responded to this, and can you tell us more about the new Upfront Buyer event?
Francesco Capurro: Yes, the new Upfront Buyer event was created precisely because of MIP TV's absence, which was critical in the first half of the year. Many distributors and international sellers expressed their need for a platform to sell their series, so we created this event on the Monday before the Forum. It’s specifically for buyers we invite globally.
Formatbiz: For the Upfront Buyer, is it open to all buyers, or is there a selective process for participation?
Francesco Capurro: We handle the selection ourselves, working with the artistic director and their team. We’ve chosen, and will continue to choose 12 series and will showcase selected clips to the attending buyers. This year, we’re maintaining a curated approach—an essential part of our philosophy. A a buyer's jury will give the "Buyers Choice Award" among the 12 selected series ? The jurors are from Sky, Movistar+, Mediaset Spain, ARTE and SVT, full list here: link.
Formatbiz: Series Mania is known for its curated content. How does the curation process work for the Upfront Buyer event, and what role does the artistic director play in the selection of series?
Francesco Capurro: Our philosophy emphasises curation, so we maintain that standard by having the artistic director and team carefully select each series. Everything we present is curated and editorialisededitorialized, in line with our brand values.
Formatbiz: There will be no traditional market at the Upfront Buyer event. How do you envision the event creating value for distributors and buyers without a separate market?
Francesco Capurro: The market remains the Forum itself, so the Upfront Buyer event is essentially a pre-Forum. Meetings happen during the Forum days at Lille Grand Palais, where major distributors like Beta, Gamount, Mediawan, ITV Studios etc. already have a presence. This pre-Forum event helps attract more buyers and highlights the curated series selections.
Formatbiz: Do you think this pre-Forum initiative could eventually replace some of the functions that MIP TV served for international buyers and distributors?
Francesco Capurro: MIP TV was multi-genre, covering formats, documentaries, children’s programming, and more. At this point in time, our focus is mainly on fiction series with the goal of providing distributors with a space to showcase their series.
Formatbiz: Considering Series Mania’s focus on fiction series, do you see potential for the event to expand into other genres in the future?
Francesco Capurro: For now, we’re committed to fiction series, as it aligns with our core strengths and goals. However, we are always evaluating the marketplace to determine the best strategies for going forward.
Formatbiz: How do you view your relationship with other international events, like Cannes Series? Is it more cooperative or competitive?
Francesco Capurro: In a way, we are a little competitive, but each event has its own path. With so many festivals for films and TV series, there’s room for all of us. We’re focused on maintaining our unique identity within the growing festival landscape.
Formatbiz: What are your future goals for Series Mania Forum, and how do you hope it will continue to evolve in the coming years?
Francesco Capurro: We hope to continue attracting more buyers and industry professionals, adapting to changes in the TV market landscape. Series Mania is about building strong, curated experiences for the industry, and that focus will guide our future growth.
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