Exciting Developments at the Inaugural Italian Global Series Festival
The inaugural Italian Global Series Festival (IGSF), set to take place from June 21-28 in Riccione and Rimini, is generating buzz with its promising lineup. Highlights set to dazzle attendees include exclusive first looks at Squid Game Season 3 and Lena Dunham’s upcoming project Too Much. The festival will also honor notable figures such as Lost star Evangeline Lilly and acclaimed composer Giorgio Moroder.
Program Highlights Unveiled at Cannes
During a noteworthy event at the Cannes Film Festival, festival organizers announced various program features, competitive sections, and exclusive masterclasses. They also revealed the seven esteemed recipients of the inaugural Maximo Awards for Excellence.
The primary aim of the IGSF is to showcase both Italian and international series content, which builds on the legacy of the previously successful RomaFictionFest, held for a decade until 2017. “Our festival entrenches the essence of serial storytelling within a cultural and social framework,”stated Marco Spagnoli, the IGSF’s artistic director.
A Competitive Spirit and High-Quality Content
In its debut year, the festival will present 28 competitive series vying for the Maximo Awards—an initiative organizers aspire to elevate as Italy’s equivalent to the Emmys. Special presentations include Netflix’s Too Much, with the first two episodes set to screen prior to its global launch on July 10. Additionally, the event will showcase the first episode of Squid Game‘s final season and select episodes from Prime Video’s Pesci Piccoli, introduced by the cast.
Diverse Programming and Events Scheduled
The festival promises rich programming with special previews, retrospectives, and fan events. Attendees can look forward to a highlight on Fremantle’s Lux Vide production, the pirate adventure Sandokan, featuring Turkish actor Can Yaman.
The international competition is organized into three categories: drama, comedy, and limited series, with awards for the best series, leading actor, leading actress, and creator/director to be presented in each category.
Masterclasses by Industry Classics
The event will also feature masterclasses, including a session on “Screenwriting for Television” led by Emmy-winning screenwriter and director Mark Gatiss. His new series Bookish will have its world premiere at the festival. Furthermore, sessions with creator Steven Moffat and producer Sue Vertue are anticipated to attract significant interest.
Celebrating Excellence in Film and Television
In the awards segment, seven Maximo Excellence Awards will honor a host of Italian talents, including Carlo Verdone and Elena Sofia Ricci, along with international icons like Giorgio Moroder, Evangeline Lilly, and Adjoa Andoh, known for her role in Bridgerton. Awards will also be presented to Jacqueline Fernandez and Iria Del Río for their contributions to the series Dieci Capodanni.
This festival aims not only to celebrate but to enhance the Italian entertainment industry in a global context. As IGSF embarks on its inaugural journey, it sets the stage for future cultural collaborations within the world of television.