29/09/2025 - A Special Mention went to the Estonian drama My Dear Mom, while the Quick Killer Award honoured the Estonian-Finnish web series Kalamaja Blues

Monyová director Zuzana Kirchnerová (centre) with actors Tereza Ramba and Igor Orozovič (© TV Nova)

The eighth edition of the Serial Killer International Festival of TV and Web Series (23-28 September, Brno), the showcase for quality European television, has come to a close with an awards ceremony. The Primetime Killer Award, for the best Central and Eastern European TV series, went to the Czech miniseries Monyová, directed by Zuzana Kirchnerová (Caravan [+see also:
film review
interview: Zuzana Kirchnerová
film profile]).

The show portrays the life and career of Czech writer Simona Monyová, who rose from modest beginnings in 1990s Brno to become one of the country’s most widely read authors. Known for her witty, romantic and sardonic novels, Monyová became a chicklit phenomenon before her life was tragically cut short. The miniseries steers clear of the true-crime trope, and while following Monyová’s rise to prominence, it addresses the topic of domestic abuse. “It was not only the local context that convinced us,” explained jury member Victoria Elmacioglu, of NATPE. “The sensitive depiction of Simona Monyová’s story highlights the artist’s relationship to lived experience and reflects on the complexity of male-female dynamics today.”

Festival director Kamila Zlatušková emphasised the significance of the win: “It is only the second time in the festival’s eight-year history that a Czech series has received the top award. The screening in Brno with the presence of the creative team and Monyová’s family was an extraordinary experience.” Michal Reitler, head of Content Development at TV Nova and Oneplay, noted that Monyová follows in the footsteps of The Markovič Method: Hojer, the first Czech series to win the festival’s main award in 2023 (see the news). “I am thrilled that, once again, we’ve delivered a story that resonates both with audiences and with the professional community,” he said.

The jury also gave a Special Mention to the Estonian crime-drama My Dear Mom, directed by Doris Tääker, commending its bold choice to centre on a complex female character while addressing societal prejudices linked to drug addiction and sex work. In the short-form competition, the Quick Killer Award went to the second season of Kalamaja Blues, an Estonian-Finnish web series by Vivian Säde. Set in Tallinn’s bohemian district, the show explores the trials of love, trust and friendship among young women. Jury chair Joël Bassaget praised its “playful sketch format, sharp writing and inclusive storytelling”, hailing Säde as a promising new voice in European web production.

The Progressive Killer Award was presented to Serbian screenwriter and producer Ivan Knežević for his courage in telling stories that matter amid Serbia’s fraught political climate. This year’s Serial Killer screened 42 series from 24 countries and hosted the TV Days conference, featuring over 70 speakers from across Europe. For the first time, a professional programme was also held in Bratislava, the highlight of which was a master class by The Simpsons writer-producer Mike Reiss.

The ninth edition of Serial Killer will take place in Brno from 23-28 September 2026.

Here is the full list of award winners:

Primetime Killer Award
Monyová – Zuzana Kirchnerová (Czech Republic)
Special Mention
Dear Mom - Doris Tääker (Estonia)

Quick Killer Award
Kalamaja Blues, Season 2 – Vivian Säde (Estonia/Finland)

Progressive Killer Award
Ivan Knežević (Serbia)