‘Duster’ Dazzles, Nicola Coughlan Charms, Other Canneries Takeaways

The French TV festival Canneseries kicked off its first standalone edition this week, basking in the balmy weather of Cannes. Unlike previous editions where it ran alongside MipTV or Mipcom, this year Canneseries stood on its own, focusing on creating buzz and word of mouth rather than on-site buyers.

Artistic Director Albin Lewi emphasized the importance of selection and international distributors in creating market impact, even without a large buyer presence. The event featured Producers, Writers, and Composers Clubs, attracting professionals from the industry.

Here are 10 takeaways from the new-look Canneseries:

1. "Duster" Dazzles: The screening of the U.S. series "Duster" by J.J. Abrams and LaToya Morgan received rave reviews, with the audience ecstatic about the show’s re-creation of the 1970s era and its mix of fun, action, and sensitive topics.
2. "The Walking Dead: Dead City," Season 2: Jeffrey Dean Morgan charmed the audience with his performance in the popular series, drawing a huge following in Europe.
3. ‘Bridgerton’s’ Nicola Coughlan Proves Her Huge Fan Base: The star of "Bridgerton" attracted enthusiastic fans at Canneseries, where she received the Commitment Prize and discussed her activism and acting career.
4. Buzz Titles: Several French series like "The Corsican Line," "Dead End," and "Reykjavik Fusion" garnered positive reviews and were frontrunners in the competition.
5. Norway’s Big Win at Canneseries: Norway swept the awards with series like "A Better Man" and "Nepobaby" winning in multiple categories, showcasing the country’s rising prominence in the TV industry.
6. Canneseries Business: The event proved fruitful for business, with many top titles securing international distribution deals and pre-sales during the festival.
7. Canneseries Still Needed: Despite being a boutique event, Canneseries continues to be a vital part of the TV calendar, providing a platform for industry networking and collaboration.
8. Industry Trends: The Bands Are Getting Together Again: The festival highlighted a shift towards more flexible distribution models, with a focus on collaboration among European broadcasters and streamers.
9. The U.S. Looks to Europe: Major U.S. players are increasingly looking towards Europe for partnerships and collaborations, exploring new avenues for content creation.
10. The Biggest Way Forward as an Industry: The industry is moving towards more diverse distribution options and collaborative efforts, with a focus on sharing experiences and building partnerships within Europe.

    Additionally, several deals were announced at Canneseries, including new projects from Banijay Entertainment, Bad Wolf, Mediawan, and Wild Bunch TV, showcasing the vibrant and dynamic nature of the TV industry.

    Overall, Canneseries proved to be a successful and impactful event, highlighting the best of international TV content and fostering new opportunities for collaboration and growth in the industry.