Screening Block 1

reception

Networking

Welcome

Official welcome by Jörg Kratkey - Head of Cultural Affairs of the City of Wetzlar, Annette Eidmann - Deputy Head of the Giessen Cultural Office, and Csongor Dobrotka - die Seriale Festival Director.

Between Fangs and Folklore: Bold Visions from Hessen

With “LOVE SUCKS” and “SPESSART TALES”, creators from Hessen are proving just how diverse, genre-crossing, and innovative serialized storytelling from the region can be. In this panel, Katrin Haase and Oliver Arnold (U5 Filmproduktion) talk about their genre-mix series “LOVE SUCKS”, a wild ride through modern relationships with a vampire twist. Matthias Noe offers insights into “SPESSART TALES”, a visually stunning fantasy series that reinterprets local myths with a contemporary edge.

Telling it their Way: Fresh Voices and Fierce Stories

This second conversation highlights two projects that showcase bold and original storytelling. Zora Lewiz Link presents her pilot episode “We’re The Mess”, a layered dramedy. David Brenner and Kristian Wolff discuss their series “For the Drama”, a story that blends subtle irony with emotional depth. Together, the guests explore the challenges and opportunities of developing and producing new series.

Screening Block 2 (Open Air)

Entry & Festival Pass Pick Up

Educational Opening

Prof. Rüdiger Pichler, Executive Director of the “Hessen Film and Media Academy” (hFMA), Amarú Frida and Daria Solovieva, who will moderate the Educational program, and Csongor Dobrotka, die Seriale Festival Director, will open this year’s Educational.

Crafting Visual Worlds: Cinematography in Serial Storytelling

What does it mean to craft a visual language across multiple episodes – and to meet the creative challenges that come with the serial format? In this live edition of his podcast “Behind the Camera”, moderator and journalist Timo Landsiedel speaks with two nominated cinematographers about their creative approaches, visual decisions, and the particular challenges of serial storytelling. Joining the conversation are Jana Laemmerer, nominated for her work on the German series “FEELINGS (Season 2)”, and Neil Oseman, nominated for “Ren: The Girl with the Mark (Season 2)” from the UK. Together, they reflect on the role of cinematography in shaping mood, narrative rhythm, and identity in contemporary series.

Break

Social Media & Cross Media Marketing

Social media is becoming more and more essential to promote new projects. But how can series be successfully promoted on various social media platforms? What should be considered? Are there other options beyond social media? Anne Schokominza Pfannenstiel and Sara Mauleón will discuss these and other questions.

Break

Financing Series: Facing the Shift

In recent years, the film and media landscape has undergone a massive transformation. The rise of streaming platforms has transformed the market worldwide. This keynote offers a deep dive into the shifting landscape of series financing: shrinking budgets, changing markets, and new challenges for creators. How do we adapt - and what tools can help?

Break

Shaping Visibility: Series Festivals in a Global Context

As platforms for discovery, curation, marketing and connection, series festivals play a growing role in shaping which stories travel – and how they are seen. In a fragmented and increasingly globalized media landscape, what forms of visibility do festivals create for serial storytelling? In this panel, festival directors from across the world share insights into their curatorial practices, institutional challenges, and the cultural responsibilities that come with building international stages for serial content. How can festivals foster diversity, elevate underrepresented voices, and build transnational dialogue – while also navigating industry dynamics and audience expectations?

Lunch Break

Designing Worlds, Negotiating Realities: Series as Cultural Practice

In serial storytelling, world-building is not just about crafting immersive fictional spaces or character constellations – it also reflects and negotiates social values, worldviews, and political imaginaries. This panel brings together media scholars and series creators to explore how narrative worlds are constructed, and how they, in turn, shape our understanding of the world we live in. What values and ideologies are embedded in visual storytelling? How do serial formats influence collective imagination, identity, and discourse? And to what extent do fictional worlds anticipate or reflect real social change? Part of the Educational Section, this conversation opens a space for critical reflection on the cultural function of serial narratives – between theory, creation and reception.

Film & Media Meetup LIVE

The Film & Media Meetup is coming to Giessen and will take place as part of the Educational at Kleines Haus Stadttheater Giessen. Creators from Hesse and all over the world have the opportunity to discuss projects, make contacts or simply find out about current developments in a relaxed atmosphere over a drink. The Meetup offers everything you need to get started in the film and media industry or for your upcoming projects. There is also the opportunity to take part in a speed meeting.
The Film & Media Meetup takes place regularly. It is a cooperation project of Filmhaus Frankfurt, Film- und Kinobüro Hessen, Hessen Film and Media Academy (hFMA) and Junge Generation Hessischer Film. The Film & Media Meetup takes place with the kind support and sponsorship of Hessen Film & Medien GmbH. Cooperation partners are MBF - The Rental, ZAV - Künstlervermittlung and the Kuratorium junger deutscher Film.
Admission is free. Eventbrite - Film & Media Meetup LIVE - Seriale Educational 2025.

Location: Kleines Haus Stadttheater Giessen, Ostanlage 43, 35390 Giessen

Screening Block 3

Opening & Screening Block 3

Screening Block 4

Screening Block 5

Networking Night

Location: Stadttheater Giessen, Foyer, Südanlage 1, 35390 Giessen

with festival pass only

Entry & Festival Pass Pick Up

Welcome to Seriale Pro

Official Welcome by festival director Csongor Dobrotka, and the Seriale Pro hosts Celina Schmitt.

Serial Content in Transition? - AI’s Impact on Storytelling and Reception

This panel explores the significance of the latest AI developments in the realm of moving images and storytelling. It delves into why the Chinese AI model DeepSeek is considered a game changer, which legal questions need to be addressed for series production, and what impacts AI may have on the audience reception. On this panel experts from different areas come together to discuss future perspectives for the world of serial content creation and reception.

Networking Break

Filmlocations Hesse and Basque Country

To mark the ten-year anniversary of our partnership with the Seriesland Festival in Bilbao, this panel explores the filming conditions and location advantages in Hesse and the Basque Country. The panel focuses on possibilities for location scouting. What natural, urban, and infrastructural features make Hesse and the Basque Country attractive for national and international series productions across different genres? Accompanied by visual materials, representatives from both regions will showcase selected filming locations and provide practical insights into production realities on location.

Networking Break

Strategic Management of Financing and Distribution

This panel focuses on the strategic management of financing and distribution in series production. It highlights practical approaches to short-term and long-term financial planning and exploitation strategies. Topics include the role of funding models and rights management, as well as ways to manage risks without limiting creative freedom. Experts from different areas of the industry will share how they have successfully integrated financing and distribution into sustainable strategies.

Lunch Break

Pitch Contest

The Pitch Contest offers 12 international series creators a platform to present their projects to an international expert Jury and industry professionals. The talented creators will have the opportunity to pitch their innovative ideas, receiving insightful questions and valuable feedback from the Jury. Join us for a celebration of creativity!

Screening Block 6

Screening Block 7

Networking Night

Location: Mr. Jones, Bahnhofstrasse 94, 35390 Giessen

with festival pass only

Business Meetings & Round Tables

At the DIMA Digital Market, a range of exhibitors will present their companies, festivals, projects, or organizations. Through a dedicated booking system, attendees can arrange exclusive one-on-one meetings, offering a unique opportunity to connect directly with industry professionals.

The Business Meetings provide a wide range of networking opportunities across the media and creative industries. Alongside filmmakers, participants include marketing agencies, sound studios, musicians, freelance artists, authors, social media professionals, businesses, and organizations, such as those interested in image films or social media solutions, as well as many other creative and commercial stakeholders. This event brings together a dynamic mix of international, national, and regional players from across the industry.

Meeting slots can be booked via our website. Last-minute participants are also welcome, as remaining spots will be still available for registration throughout the festival-framework and the market day.

The Get Together will take place from 12pm to 2pm in the courtyard of the Kongresshalle. Everyone is welcome to attend - even spontaneously and regardless of whether they have booked an appointment for the market meetings.
Participating companies and institutions may bring roll-ups, posters, and flyers to present themselves in the best possible way. These materials can be brought on June 15th from 30 minutes before the event starts, after registration by e-mail to pro@die-seriale.de

Screening Block 8

Screening Block 9

Red Carpet

The Red Carpet Event sets the mood for the upcoming 11th Seriale Award Ceremony. Reception, photo session and interviews.

11th Award Ceremony of die Seriale

At this year's 11th Award Ceremony the most outstanding series and pilots will be honored after the Red Carpet event. A total of 17 winners, selected by an international jury of experts, will take home our Seriale award. The evening will be hosted by Daria Solovieva, Robert Schäfer and Amarú Frida. This year's Award Ceremony will once again be accentuated with music by the pianist Lada Nevmyatullina.

After Show

Celebration & Networking.

Location: Stadtcafe, Johannesstrasse 1, 35390 Giessen

by invitation only