The Berlinale Series Market is set to reconvene from 16-19 February, at CinemaxX at Potsdamer Platz and Gropius Bau, as part of the European Film Market (EFM). Celebrated as a boutique hub for serial content from across the globe, this year’s market will feature the Berlinale Series Market Selects label, a flagship selection spotlighting shows with significant market potential. The programme also includes the Co-Pro Series Pitches, organised by the Berlinale Co-Production Market (see the news), alongside an engaging line-up of international showcases and a comprehensive conference schedule.

Spain, the 2025 EFM Country in Focus (see the news), will present four series projects in development during the market, pitching to potential co-producers. This spotlight aligns with the market’s overarching emphasis on layered storytelling and nuanced representation. Tanja Meissner, director of Berlinale Pro*, underlined the festival's commitment, saying, “This year, the Berlinale Series Market focuses on the complex, multi-layered portrayal of women and emphasises stories that reflect the diversity of the human experience.”

The conference programme will delve into industry trends, starting with an analytical overview by Guy Bisson from Ampere Analysis, which includes an in-depth presentation on the current state of the TV industry, followed by discussions on the adaptive strategies of broadcasters and streamers in an ever-evolving media landscape. Both traditional TV broadcasters and streaming platforms need to find new ways to stay relevant and appeal to their audiences.

The Berlinale Series Market will explore key challenges in contemporary storytelling, focusing on the ethical and creative complexities of addressing sensitive topics like gender-based violence and trauma in serial formats. These narratives offer a profound opportunity to tackle social issues, but require a delicate balance of authenticity and ethical responsibility, avoiding stereotypes and the male gaze while ensuring both artistic and commercial success.

At the same time, the evolving role of independent producers in a rapidly consolidating industry will be a focal point, examining how mergers with large distributors and streaming platforms have an impact on creative freedom and identity. While these partnerships provide access to greater resources and wider audiences, they also risk homogenising content. Industry experts will discuss strategies for navigating these challenges, balancing bold storytelling with market demands, and preserving artistic integrity in an increasingly commercialised landscape.

The “Up Next: Germany” showcase will highlight upcoming series projects from Germany, such as Parallel Me, a magical journey through alternative life possibilities, and Euphorie, based on the hit Israeli format Euphoria. Also featured are All In (working title), focusing on a young Muslim woman navigating the poker world while aspiring to be an astronaut, and The Nazi Cartel, an investigative documentary about Bolivia’s narco-state roots in collaboration with Nazi figures.

In addition to industry-exclusive content, three series will screen in the Berlinale’s public programme. Underage (Brazil) will appear in the Generation section, Other People’s Money (Germany/Austria/Denmark) will join Panorama, and The Narrow Road to the Deep North (Australia/USA) will feature in Berlinale Special. The Berlinale Series Market Selects label is at the core of the market, showcasing 17 series from various regions with the selection spanning biopics, crime-thrillers, dramas and dark comedies, thus demonstrating the breadth and appeal of global storytelling.

The European Film Market operates under Berlinale Pro*, an integrated industry platform that connects the European Film Market, Berlinale Co-Production Market, Berlinale Talents and the World Cinema Fund. This comprehensive framework serves as an incubator, facilitator and supporter for the global film industry, covering every phase of film development, production, sales and distribution. The Berlinale Series Market is primarily supported by the Film und Medienstiftung NRW and receives funding from Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg.

Here are the titles that will be showcased under the 2025 Series Market Selects label:

Sanctuary (Spain)
Directors: Zoe Berriatúa, Rodrigo Ruiz Gallardón
Producers: Atresmedia TV, Pokeepsie Films
Broadcaster: Atresplayer

n00b (New Zealand)
Creators: Victoria Boult, Rachel Fawcett
Directors: Josh Frizzell, Victoria Boult
Producer: Great Southern Television
Broadcaster: Three/ThreeNow
World sales: Oble

Your Honor (Spain)
Directors: Chiqui Carabante, Luis Prieto
Producers: Atresmedia TV, Portocabo
Broadcasters: Atresplayer, Antena3

Broken Spies (Portugal/Poland)
Creator/showrunner: Pandora da Cunha Telles
Directors: João Maia, Laura Seixas
Producers: Ukbar Filmes, Krakow Film Klaster
Broadcaster: RTP

Internal Affairs (Spain)
Creators: Pedro García Ríos, Rodrigo Martín Antoranz
Showrunners: Alberto Macías, Winnie Baert
Directors: María Togores, Samantha López Speranza
Producers: Mediacrest Entertainment, RTVE
Broadcaster/world sales: RTVE

A Night to Live (France)
Directors: Anthony Jorge, Jonathan Cohen-Berry
Producer: Wanda Productions
Broadcaster: francetv slash
World sales: France tv distribution

Sunny Nights (Australia/USA)
Creators: Nick Keetch, Ty Freer
Showrunner/director: Trent O’Donnell
Producers: Jungle Entertainment, Echo Lake Entertainment, Cineflix Rights
Broadcaster: Stan

The Morning After (South Africa/France/Germany)
Directors: Cindy Lee, Karen Jeynes
Producers: Paradoxal, Both Worlds
Broadcaster: Amazon South Africa and Sub-Saharan
World sales: Federation Studios

Maria: The Unknown Callas (Greece)
Creator/director: Olga Malea
Producer/broadcaster/world sales: ERT SA

Suture (Brazil)
Creator: Fabio Montanari
Showrunners: Zasha Robles, Gustavo Mello
Directors: Diego Martins, Jéssica Queiroz
Producers: Boutique Filmes, Spiral International
Broadcaster: Amazon Prime Video
World sales: Zasha Robles, Spiral International

VIGDÍS (Iceland)
Creators: Ágústa M Ólafsdóttir, Rakel Garðarsdóttir, Björg Magnúsdóttir
Showrunner: Ágústa M Ólafsdóttir
Directors: Björn Hlynur Haraldsson, Tinna Hrafnsdóttir
Producer: Vesturport
Broadcaster: RÚV
World sales: REinvent Studios

Oxygen Masks will (not) drop automatically (Brazil)
Creator: Thiago Pimentel
Director: Marcelo Gomes, Carol Minên
Producers: Warner Bros Discovery, Morena Filmes
Broadcaster: MAX
World sales: Morena Filmes

Reincarnate (Brazil)
Director: Bruno Safadi
Producer: Estúdios Globo
Broadcaster: Globoplay

Crows (Canada)
Creator: Pierre-Louis Sanschagrin
Director: Stéphane Lapointe
Producers: Encore, Illico +
Broadcaster: Illico + (TVA)
World sales: Encore Television-Distribution

Concrete Market (South Korea)
Creator: Byun Seung-Min
Showrunner: Kwak Jae-Min
Director: Hong Ki-Won
Producer: Climax Studio
World sales: Lotte Cultureworks

My Dear Mother (Estonia/Ukraine)
Creators: Raoul Suvi, Toomas Ili, Tiina Lokk
Director: Doris Tääker
Producer: Zolba Productions
Broadcaster: Elisa Estonia
World sales: Film.UA Distribution

Heajastallan – A Sámi Wedding (Norway)
Creator: Åse Kathrin Vuolab
Directors: Pål Jackman, Åse Kathrin Vuolab
Producers: Tordenfilm, Mer Film, Forest People
Broadcaster: NRK
World sales: REinvent Studios