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This morning in Lille Series Mania's Managing Director Laurence Herszberg and Artistic Director Frédéric Lavigne introduced the next edition of the festival following speeches by representatives from the Haut-de-France Region the City of Lille and the CNC The event highlighted the prestigious jury selections and the main themes that will define this year's festival

The International Competition jury will be chaired by Pamela Adlon the renowned American creator screenwriter producer and actress known for Better Things Louie and Californication She will be joined by French musician and composer Victor Le Masne who serves as the musical director of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games Argentinian-American actor Ignacio Serricchio famous for El Recluso The Young and the Restless and General Hospital British director Minkie Spiro known for her work on 3 Body Problem Better Call Saul and Downton Abbey and French actress Karin Viard acclaimed for In the Shadow and a César Award winner for Best Supporting Actress in Little Tickles and Summer Things This distinguished jury will present the Grand Prize the Prize for Best Script the Prize for Best Actress and the Prize for Best Actor

The Panorama jury chaired by French writer Lola Lafon will include Latvian actor Kārlis Arnolds Avots winner of Best Actor in the 2024 International Panorama competition for Soviet Jeans American programmer Casey Baron from Tribeca Film Festival French actress Marie Colomb known for Culte and Laëtitia and English producer Kate Harwood from Euston Movies This jury will present awards for Best Series Best Directing Best Actress and Best Actor Additionally a student jury will select its Best Series

A jury composed of international press journalists will award the French Competition prizes for Best Series Best Actress Best Actor and Best Original Score in partnership with SACEM

This year's festival will place a strong emphasis on Northern Europe and Spain alongside France which remains the most represented country reflecting how contemporary storytelling continues to be shaped by global turmoil and personal narratives Political series are making a major comeback as history feels increasingly present in our collective consciousness 2025 will also bring a fresh perspective on masculinity featuring characters who question and redefine their identities as young men However the true protagonists of the 2025 lineup are heroines powerful multifaceted women who bring depth and maturity to the screen echoing the performances of recent award-nominated actresses

Attendees can expect a diverse selection of series across various categories including Opening and Closing Series International Competition French Competition International Panorama Short Format Competition Comedy Competition and Special Screenings adding to the excitement is an immersive exhibition titled Forever 90’s which celebrates the most iconic creations of the decade