Seriesly Berlin

PROGRAM 24

Explore the program from SERIESLY Berlin 2024! While the event has concluded, the highlights and schedules are available for your reference. Stay tuned for updates and details about next year’s festival.

Conference
All Events
Screenings
Conference
Conference
Real Imagination | Storytelling in the Age of AI
“The less I watch, the more I see.” In a time when powerful tools of audiovisual creation are put into the hands of everybody and their uncle, which storytellers will still be able to pierce through the noise? And perhaps even get paid for their work? Will it be the most tech-savvy ones, or the ones who are the most… alive?
DAY 1 | Mo 16.09.24 10:45-11:45
Fotografiska Berlin - Ballroom
Conference
ALL EYES ON ME | The Battleground for Attention in the Digital Age 
Faced with evolving financing models, shifting audience engagement and a rapidly changing market, the series industry stands at a crossroads. Following an Ampere Analysis that unveils the latest trends, challenges and opportunities, our industry experts will offer insights on how creatives and producers can thrive in this high stakes drama
DAY 1 | Mo 16.09.24 12:00-13:00
Fotografiska Berlin - Ballroom
Conference
WORKSHOP | AI-Powered Storytelling – Crafting Killer Pitch Papers and Trailers 
Unlock the power of AI in storytelling with this hands-on session for series creators and producers. Learn key techniques like effective AI prompting, consistent character development, and style maintenance. Discover how to generate text within images using FLUX, prepare visual assets, and design pitch papers with Canva. Bring your characters to life with LivePortrait and create compelling trailers using Dream Machine and Elevenlabs. This session offers essential AI-driven workflows to elevate your pitch from concept to screen.
DAY 1 | Mo 16.09.24 12:00-13:00
Fotografiska Berlin - Meeting Room (Big)
Conference
WORKSHOP | The Concept Clinic  -“Does It Have Legs?”
“Sounds good, but does it have legs?” is a question every TV series creator faces when pitching their project. "Legs" refers to the potential of a concept to sustain multiple episodes and (hopefully) seasons, ensuring both audience appeal and market potential. In this 1.5-hour workshop, we’ll analyze current TV shows and explore the essential elements that  help us make sure a concept "has legs." Participants will then apply these insights to refine their own early-stage concepts together, gaining a leg up for further development.
DAY 1 | Mo 13:00 - 13:45 (Part l) & 14:00 - 14:45 (Part ll)
Fotografiska Berlin - Meeting Room (Big)
Conference
Genre as a Trojan Horse | Balancing Art and Mainstream
Balancing a unique voice with mainstream appeal is a challenge for any creator. But can genre, often seen as formulaic, actually offer more freedom to be original and push boundaries? This panel will explore how creators can maintain their authenticity while leveraging genre’s broad appeal to connect with worldwide audiences.
DAY 1 | Mo 16.09.24 14:00-14:45
Fotografiska Berlin - Ballroom
Conference
Seriesly Pitches
The curated pitching session will showcase eight talented young creatives, each unveiling their fresh, cutting-edge projects that push the boundaries of storytelling. It’s a celebration of emerging voices and a platform for the next generation of trailblazing creators.
DAY 1 | Mo 16.09.24 15:00-16:00
Fotografiska Berlin - Ballroom
Conference
Connecting Brains
Led by Pierre Puget and Sam Jefferson, this think tank invites participants from various corners of the creative industry to engage in dynamic discussions and explore new avenues for collaboration. Supported by BrainsDev, this session aims to foster cross-industry learning and inspire novel partnerships. Participants will connect with peers, exchange ideas, and uncover new possibilities through shared knowledge and collaboration.
DAY 1 | Mon 15:00 - 16:00
Fotografiska Berlin
Conference
Created by Berlin | Stories Born and Produced in Berlin 
From Cold War espionage to youth self-exploration and the gritty realism of the streets of Neukölln, Berlin has become a hub for diverse and powerful stories. But is there still room for even more untapped narratives? This panel will explore the many faces of Berlin and the advantages of producing in a city officially designated as film-friendly, adding a unique selling point for producers and international co-productions.
DAY 1 | Mo 16.09.24 16:30-17:15
Fotografiska Berlin - Ballroom
Conference
Breaking the Cycle: Innovating Conference Programming
Season after season, festival organizers face the ongoing challenge of keeping their programming fresh and exciting. This panel brings together experienced event organizers to share their strategies for avoiding repetitiveness, inventing new formats, and balancing sponsorships without compromising their vision. Discover how they keep each new season from feeling like a rerun.
DAY 1 | Mo 16.09.24 17:25-18:05
Fotografiska Berlin - Ballroom
Conference
Gaming | The Immersive Experience  
The gaming industry has millions of players worldwide and generates more revenue than  film, TV, and music combined. It's not surprising that many series are now being adapted into video games. But could gaming also revolutionize traditional storytelling techniques? This panel explores the potential of gaming to transform how stories are told, blending interactive experiences with narrative depth.
DAY 2 | Tue 17.09.24 10:00 - 10:30
Fotografiska Berlin - Ballroom
Conference
Person As Property | What Happens When IP is a Human Being? 
In today’s cost-conscious environment, the industry often turns to IP with built-in audiences. But when that IP is a real person, unique moral, legal, and creative challenges emerge. How do you balance fact and fiction? How do you navigate ethics and entertainment? This panel explores these issues with examples from both fiction and non-fiction series, shedding light on the complexities of turning real lives into compelling narratives.
DAY 2 | Tue 17.09.24 10:40 - 11:25
Fotografiska Berlin - Ballroom
Conference
Mission: Entertainment Destination – What makes Prime Video different?
Join Dr. Christoph Schneider, Country Director Prime Video for Germany and Austria, in discussing his journey to making Prime Video the ultimate entertainment destination for customers.
DAY 2 | Tue 17.09.24 11:30 - 12:00
Fotografiska Berlin - Ballroom
Conference
WORKSHOP | Sane Cinema meets Comedy Therapy
Sane Cinema Founder Louise Johansen and producer Christine Guenther and trailblazers in mental health, known for their impactful workshops at Cannes, Karlovy Vary, and other prestigious events, where they promote mental well-being, positive change and sane and happy work life in "the industry". They’re joined by Lena Stolby, a stand-up comedian who doesn’t just think it’s okay to laugh at our problems—she insists on it. It’s an unexpected combo, but here’s how it works: On the first day, participants will anonymously write down their problems and drop them in a box. Then, on the second day, after a brief presentation from Louise & Christine Lena will dive into these issues, offering a unique blend of comedic relief enriched with some practical inspiration by Christine in this one-of-a-kind workshop.
DAY 2 | Tue 12:00 - 13:00
Fotografiska Berlin - Meeting Room (Big)
Conference
MASTERCLASS WITH JENJI KOHAN 
Join us for an exclusive Masterclass with Emmy Award Winning writer, producer and showrunner Jenji Kohan ("Orange Is the New Black," "Weeds"). From the panoramic view of Berlin at Fotografiska's rooftop bar, Jenji will share insights into her writing process, developing and pitching shows, handling feedback, and maintaining a strong creative voice.
DAY 2 | Tue 17.09.24 13:00
Fotografiska Berlin
Conference
But is she likeable enough? Creating Flawed Female Characters 
There’s been a surge in female protagonists on screen, marking a positive step for representation. However, in Germany, many feel that these women are too perfect, too flawless, and frankly, hard to relate to. This panel will explore how to balance strength and vulnerability in female leads, creating three-dimensional characters who are as flawed and compelling as the audience they represent.
DAY 2 | Tue 17.09.24 13:55 - 14:35
Fotografiska Berlin - Ballroom
Conference
Wild at Heart | Is Indie Filmmaking Becoming the New Mainstream?
For years, the TV industry thrived in a comfortable bubble, but now the landscape is shifting with fewer commissions and tighter budgets. Could the indie spirit be the key to driving creativity and resilience in this evolving market? This panel delves into the hustle mentality, exploring new financing models, the "less is more" approach, and the fine line between chasing opportunity and risking exploitation.
DAY 2 | Tue 17.09.24 14:45 - 15:25
Fotografiska Berlin - Ballroom
Conference
Adaptation Alchemy: From Page and Sound to Screen
Adaptations are a staple of storytelling, growing even more prevalent in today's IP-centric industry. But are they just a way to play it safe with established audiences, or an opportunity  to creatively reinvent stories? This panel will explore how to translate stories from one medium to another, maintaining the original's essence while appealing to new audiences, and balancing creative freedom with fidelity to the source material.
DAY 2 | Tue 17.09.24 15:35-16:05
Fotografiska Berlin - Ballroom
Conference
How Do I Reach Deez Kiiids? Targeting and Storytelling for Gen Z
In a cost-conscious environment, understanding your audience is crucial. Ampere Analysis will first reveal what Gen Z is watching and where. This will be followed by a discussion on how to create content that truly resonates with this generation. Are young creators even interested in traditional TV shows, or have they moved on to platforms like TikTok and YouTube? And how can older creators making YA content avoid becoming a “how do you do, fellow kids” meme?
DAY 2 | Tue 17.09.24 16:15-17:00
Fotografiska Berlin - Ballroom
Conference
THE MIGRANT EXPERIENCE | FROM STEREOTYPES TO AUTHENTICITY 
How does the migrant experience differ depending on whether you are German-Arab, German-Turkish, German-Vietnamese, or German-Jewish? How to create “real” diversity and not just fill quotas.
DAY 2 | Tue 16:55 - 17:25
Fotografiska Berlin - Meeting Room (Big)