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Seriencamp Conference is back, and it's better than ever. Together with the Film - und Medienstiftung NRW, the Staatskanzlei NRW and ZDF Studios, Seriencamp Conference is celebrating its first edition at its new home, Cologne. Presenting an extensive program with a lot of networking possibilities, the event awaits industry professionals from all over Europe.

After a digital edition in 2020, a hybrid version in 2021 and a hiatus in 2022, Germany’s biggest conference for serial storytelling is relaunched as a three-day event that will take place in Cologne from June 14 to June 16. The industry event promises to be a major gathering for those interested in the latest trends and developments in the world of series, with panels, keynotes, and workshops covering a range of crucial topics.

The upcoming edition will feature discussions and insights on topics such as the rise of generative AI as an important tool in the creative industries, the growing importance of co-productions in Europe, the current state of European content strategies and the role of adaptations and IPs in the future of series commissioning.

Seriencamp Conference will host the European Alliance (ZDF, France Télévisions, Rai) which will present new strategies and projects. Another major European broadcaster cooperation will be announced for the first time at the event.

One of the highlights of this year's Seriencamp Conference will be the Story Exchange project market. This platform offers pitching events and networking opportunities for producers, writers, and creators to showcase their ideas to decision-makers from various international companies. With a focus on fostering collaboration and co-production opportunities, Story Exchange provides an excellent opportunity for those looking to break into the industry or take their projects to the next level. Attendees can expect to engage with the most important commissioning editors from public and private broadcasters and streamers like ZDF, Paramount+, Prime Video, Amazon Studios, AppleTV+, Sky Germany, ORF, SRF, WDR, ZDFneo, Arte, HR, RTL, Degeto Film, ServusTV.

In addition to Story Exchange, attendees can expect to get exclusive first looks at series currently in production by major broadcasters and streamers like ZDF, Paramount+, Prime Video, Sky Germany, ZDFneo and ARD. Presented by production companies like UFA Fiction, Wiedemann & Berg, Gaumont and Bildundtonfabrik the format offers looks behind the scenes of these exciting upcoming German series.

In addition to these exclusive previews that are a staple of the event since 2015, Seriencamp Conference will host panels and keynotes that incite discussion and inspiration: Robert Franke (VP Drama, ZDF Studios) will share views on the role of AI in series production, while Frank Tönsmann (WDR) and Helen Perquy (Producer, jonnydepony) will discuss the genesis of the science fiction series ARCADIA.

George Gottl (Founder, Explorers of the Unfound) and Benjamin Munz (Producer, Fright) are just some of the experts sharing insights and experiences into the high art of creating genre series. Veteran docu-filmmaker and podcast producer Marc Smerling (The Jinx, Mind Over Murder) will lead a masterclass that explores the intersection of the mechanics of storytelling between documentary, fiction and audio.

One of the highlights of the conference will be a fireside chat with Neil Krishnan (Head of Film, Novel) and Anna Phelan (Head of Development, Novel) from podcast company Novel about the opportunities for series creators in collaboration with the podcasting industry. Attendees will also get a chance to hear from Jean-François Asselin and Jacques Drolet, writers and creators of the time traveller hit series Plan B, which is currently being adapted in several countries.

In addition to pitchings, panels and keynotes, Seriencamp Conference offers a variety of interactive workshops in which industry professionals can have Q&A sessions with experts from given fields, can deepen their knowledge of techniques and technologies or can discuss in roundtable sessions current trends and topics with colleagues.

"We are thrilled to celebrate the first edition of Seriencamp Conference in Cologne," says the founder trio Malko Solf, Simone Schellmann and Gerhard Maier. "Over the past few months, we have worked tirelessly to create an exciting program that will spark insight, inspiration, and discussions, and cement Seriencamp Conference as a must-attend event for European industry professionals." says Gerhard Maier, the event's program director.

Seriencamp Conference is accompanied by Seriencamp Festival, the biggest festival for series in Germany. Each year the festival, which was established in 2015, presents a variety of new series from around the globe, free of charge. The Festival will show more than 35 new series on the big screen with support from Film - und Medienstiftung NRW, the Staatskanzlei NRW and Prime Video. In addition to the screenings, festival guests have access to events such as panel discussions and workshops.

For more information on Seriencamp Conference and Festival, visit www.seriencamp.tv.