Arts

45 series will compete in the first South International Series Festival in Cadiz

From 6th to 12th October

USPA NEWS - Last Wednesday, in Madrid's Sala Berlanga, the contents of the first edition of South International Series Festival were presented. This festival was created to bring together in Cádiz the series fans and the audiovisual industry from the 6th to the 12th October. The programme includes around 100 activities for audiovisual industry professionals and 62 screenings of series in different formats.
The presentation was hosted by the festival director, Joan Álvarez, and included the participation of the Andalusian Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, Arturo Bernal, and the mayor of Cadiz, Bruno García. This launch was also attended by institutional representatives of the festival collaborators, whom Álvarez thanked for their commitment and support to the audiovisual industry. Figures such as Emilia Garrido, Director of Cultural Activities of the Unicaja Foundation; Carlos Rosado, President of the Spanish Film Commission; and Elizabeth López, Audiovisual Director of the SGAE, participated in this event.
From a selection of half a thousand titles from various countries, South's Selection Committee has chosen 45 series that will be the protagonists of the Official Section and will be distributed in five different sections. In addition, there will be presentations in various formats, such as previews and screenings, adding up to more than 60 titles, including both fiction and non-fiction productions.
Official Section - Fiction
'La Ley del Mar' (Spain, produced by Studio60, RTVE and A punt). Based on a true story, this series portrays the story of a boat from Santa Pola called 'Francisco y Catalina': the first European fishing boat that in 2006 rescued 51 sub-Saharan immigrants adrift in international waters in the Mediterranean, a hundred miles from Malta. Starring Luis Tosar and Blanca Portillo, the series is directed by Alberto Ruiz Rojo and written by Tatiana Rodríguez and Víctor Pedreira.
'Nolly' (UK, produced by Quay Street Productions, PBS Masterpiece in association with ITV Studios). Created by Russell T. Davies, 'Nolly' explores the rise and fall of Noele Gordon, an actress and presenter who became one of Britain's most famous women, played by Helena Bonham-Carter. It is directed by Peter Hoar, who was nominated for an Emmy for directing  The Last of Us.
'Entrevías' (Spain, produced by Mediaset España and Alea Media). Cádiz will premiere the third season of 'Entrevías', which returns to prime time on Telecinco after its run on South Series. 'Carthago' (Israel, produced by 24 Draft Studios) is an Israeli historical drama and war thriller set in 1942, chronicling the uprising of Jews in Palestine against the British. Written by Reshef Levi, Tome Shani and Yannets Levi, the series stars Uri Gov, Philip Glenister and Carolina Jurczak, among others. Their performances were honoured with a special acting award at Cannes.
'Galgos' (Spain, Movistar Plus+ original series produced by Buendia Studios). Fictional series directed by Félix Viscarret and Nelly Reguera that narrates the business and family drama of the Somarriba family and the Galgo Group, the food giant run by three generations. The series features an ensemble cast that includes Adriana Ozores, Oscar Martínez, Marcel Borràs, Patricia López Arnaiz and María Pedraza. 
'Of Money and Blood' (France, produced by Curiosa Films for Canal + France) arrives in Cádiz after the Venice Biennale. It is based on the book of the same name by Fabrice Arfi, 'D'argent et de sang', about one of the biggest scandals in recent French history: the millionaire carbon tax fraud.  
'Serrines, madera de actor' (Spain, produced by Mediaset España and Producciones Mandarina), a comedy starring Antonio Resines that tells the story of a veteran actor who decides to break away from the fiction that has made him popular in search of what he has not yet achieved in his career: the role that will establish him in the eyes of the critics. 
'Power Play' (Norway, produced by Motlys, Novemberfilm - a Fremantle Label), which won Best Series and Best Music Composition at Cannes, will have its first episode premiere in Spain. It is a comedy set in the 1970s that plays with the conventions of period television, docudrama and political satire.  
'Beguinas' (Spain, produced by Atresmedia TV in collaboration with Buendía Studios), a new series inspired by the Beguinatos, communities of women who, since the 13th century, have defended an alternative way of life, independent of marriage and the Church. It stars Jon González and Amaia Aberasturi, with script by Irene Rodríguez, Esther Morales, Silvia Arribas and Virginia Llera. Directed by Rómulo Aguillaume and Claudia Pinto.
'Anima Gemella' (Italy, produced by Endemol Shine Italy and RTI), a gripping story of love, loss and mystery starring Daniele Liotti and Chiara Mastalli and directed by Francesco Miccichè. Finally, 'Monstrous' (South Korea, produced by Studio Dragon, Climax Studio and TV ING), a story inspired by a traditional Korean legend, with an original screenplay by Yeon Sang-ho (Train to Busan, Peninsula) and Yong-Jae Ryoo and directed by Jang Kun-jae. This series will be screened for the first time in Spain, in response to growing public interest in Korean fiction.
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