The South Korean psychological thriller “Doubt,” penned by Han Ah-Young, emerged victorious as the top international drama series at the prestigious Italian Global Series Festival. The event took place at the Arena Ceccarini in Riccione, Italy, marking its inaugural edition. The gripping narrative follows a renowned profiler grappling with love and suspicion as he delves into a murder case connected to his psychopathic daughter.
The talented Han Suk-Kyu clinched the best actor award for his compelling portrayal in “Doubt.” In the realm of direction, Lisa Mulcahy was honored with the best director accolade for the U.K. series “The Assassin,” while Phyllis Logan shone as the best actress for her role in “The Puzzle Lady.”
The festival’s drama jury, led by director Cristina Comencini, had the arduous task of selecting the winners. In the comedy category, Spain’s “Celeste,” crafted by Diego San José, snagged the best international comedy series award. Carmen Marchi was celebrated as the best actress for her performance in “Celeste,” while Christopher Smith bagged the best director title for Ireland’s “Video Nasty.” Ahmet Kural’s stellar acting in the Turkish show “Gassal” earned him the best actor recognition.
A standout mention was reserved for Steven Moffat’s U.K. series “Douglas Is Cancelled,” which received a special jury award. The comedy jury, under the guidance of director/screenwriter Paolo Genovese, deliberated on the deserving winners.
The limited series competition saw Ukrainian war drama “The Train” emerging triumphant as the best limited series. Lucy Gaffy’s directorial prowess in “Mix Tape,” a collaborative effort between Australia, Canada, and Ireland, earned her the best director title. The acting accolades were bestowed upon Laure Calamy for France’s “The Confidante” and Matthew Gurney for the U.K.’s “Reunion.”
A special jury prize was granted to “Kabul,” a creation by Olivier Demangel, Thomas Finkelkraut, and Joey Lavy. The festival itself is a revival of the esteemed Rome Fiction Fest, which had a successful decade-long run until 2016.
This year’s festival unfolded from June 23 to June 28 in the picturesque locales of Riccione and Rimini, Italy. The event showcased an array of exceptional talent and captivating narratives, solidifying its status as a prominent platform for global storytelling.
