Series Mania has begun in Lille, France, with Taiwan once again seeking to expand its presence in the global market. Through the Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA), the country has been participating in the festival since 2022, aiming to attract international buyers and co-production partners. This year, Taiwan’s involvement includes a dedicated pavilion showcasing 76 projects and the selection of NEST, a Taiwan-Belgium co-production, for the festival’s official Co-Pro Pitching sessions—the first time a Taiwanese project has been included in this program.
At the Series Mania Forum, which opens on March 25, the Taiwan Pavilion will feature several series, including Undertaker, a dark comedy supported by the Taipei Golden Horse Film Project Promotion in 2021; GG Precinct, a crime drama nominated at the 2024 Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards; and Breeze by the Sea, starring Chen Bo-lin and Puff Kuo. Also highlighted is Fragrance of the First Flower (Season 2), following the success of its first season, which was previously nominated in the festival’s Short Forms Competition.
In addition to showcasing completed productions, five projects have been selected for the TAIWAN SPOTLIGHT Pitching Session on March 25. These include Fly, a crime drama from Taiwanese author Chang Kuo-Li, which is set to be produced in collaboration with France’s Cinéfrance Studios and Taiwan’s Yoosonn Entertainment; H.A.H.A.H.A, a new project from Three Tears in Borneo director Sun Chieh-heng; Fanteasia, a comedy highlighting Taiwan’s role in LGBTQ+ representation in Asia; Cold War Hot Wax, exploring Taiwan’s music scene in the 1960s; and When the Tigers Come Out, a drama about two mothers uncovering secrets behind an educational group. The pitching session will allow creators to present their work directly to industry professionals in an effort to secure partnerships and financing.
Beyond content promotion, Taiwan is also investing in talent development through the Serial Bridges Asia program, co-organized by TAICCA and the Series Mania Institute. The initiative provides an eight-month mentorship process covering script development, financing, production, and distribution. Six projects have been selected to participate in the Series Mania Institute Creative Bazaar, with the goal of strengthening Asian filmmakers’ understanding of the international market.
According to TAICCA Chairperson Homme Tsai, Taiwan’s continued presence at Series Mania reflects both its strong creative output and its interest in international collaboration. While Taiwanese series still face challenges in reaching global audiences, efforts like these seek to strengthen ties between local creators and the wider industry, potentially opening new doors for co-productions and distribution beyond Asia.
