26/11/2024 - The new development initiative seeks to empower under-represented European talents by offering grants, mentorship, and access to industry experts in the series development field

Tatino Films has introduced the Pop Up Series Incubator, an initiative aimed at empowering independent European producers and scriptwriters to develop drama series based on compelling intellectual properties (IPs). This new venture offers creative teams the opportunity to transform promising IPs into well-defined series concepts, providing financial grants, expert mentorship, and hands-on development support throughout the process.

Co-financed by the European Union and supported by La Région Grand Est and the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, the incubator will run from January to August 2025. It targets experienced talents, particularly those from smaller European markets outside the continent’s major production hubs such as France, Germany, and Spain. Five international teams will be selected, each receiving a grant of €10,000 to aid their project development.

The initiative will feature a comprehensive set of activities designed to guide participants through every stage of development, including a 5-Day Intensive Bootcamp between 11-15 March in Reims, France, an 18-Day Pop Up Film Residency in April/May in one of five European locations: the Faroe Islands, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, or Sweden and a two-day industry showcase on 7 and 8 July at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.

Throughout the eight-month journey, teams will benefit from personalised mentorship from industry experts, including: Maria Cervera, producer and head of content at Cattleya Producciones, Spain; Julien Lilti, scriptwriter and series head writer from France; Naomi Levari, producer and development executive at Black Sheep Film Productions, Germany; and Johnathan Young, producer and former executive at HBO Europe/Central Europe.

Matthieu Darras, CEO of Tatino Films, explains that the incubator was created in response to the growing dominance of IP in the global audiovisual market. “The increasing reliance on IPs for drama series, particularly for streaming platforms, has made it difficult for smaller producers and scriptwriters to compete,” Darras says. “This initiative offers a space for independent talents to develop their own IPs into series that are both innovative and market-ready.”

The incubator also provides valuable opportunities for scriptwriters. By pairing them with exciting projects, it aims to broaden the internationalisation of writers’ rooms and diversify talent pools. “Scriptwriters can join dynamic international teams, work on high-potential projects, and contribute to series with a global reach,” Darras adds.

What sets this incubator apart is its immersive approach to project development. The experience combines intensive creative workshops with real-world, on-location residencies in diverse European settings. Participants will not only refine their series concepts but also build international networks and gain insights from various cultural perspectives.

"The journey is about more than just developing a series," says Darras. "It’s about creating lasting relationships, broadening professional horizons, and fostering an exchange of ideas across borders."

Applications are open until 10 December, with selected teams to be announced shortly afterward. For more details, visit popupseriesincubator.com.