World-renowned TV festival, Series Mania, will return to Melbourne for a third year to deliver exclusive series premieres alongside a jam-packed industry day for screen professionals. This year’s festival will feature Jessica Jones series creator, showrunner and multiple Emmy-nominee Melissa Rosenberg. A testament to ACMI and Film Victoria’s commitment to television drama, Melbourne is the only city outside of Europe to host Series Mania – an international event lauded as the Cannes of the TV industry.
Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley said: “Following the success of its first two outings, the Victorian Government is proud to support the third Series Mania Melbourne. An event for fans and filmmakers, Series Mania builds buzz for new series and grows connections between our local TV industry and screen leaders from across the globe.”
ACMI’s Fed Square location is temporarily closed while it undergoes a transformative renewal, so this year’s festival will be held at the museum’s new home away from home, The Capitol, located in the heart of the CBD. Join lovers of quality TV at the recently restored Melbourne icon for the unmissable in-conversation event with the writer, executive producer and showrunner Melissa Rosenberg. As one of Hollywood’s most versatile, sought-after storytellers, Rosenberg’s additional credits include screenwriter for all five Twilight films, as well as the head writer and executive producer of acclaimed series Dexter.
Series Mania Melbourne will also host the world premiere of The Hunting (SBS), staring Asher Keddie and Richard Roxburgh. This topical four-part drama explores the lives of four teenagers, their teachers and families as they deal with the fallout of a nude teen photo scandal.
The critically acclaimed visceral UK drama and winner of this year’s Series Mania Grand Prix, The Virtues (ITV) will have its Australian premiere at Series Mania Melbourne. Starring Stephen Graham (This Is England, Snatch), the four-part series follows a troubled man with repressed memories, who sets off for the south of Ireland to reconnect with his long-lost sister and confront his past. Graham’s powerhouse performance won him the Series Mania Best Actor award.
The bittersweet comedy/drama Frayed (ABC) will have its world premiere at Series Mania Melbourne. Set in 1989, Frayed follows the journey of a wealthy London housewife (Sarah Kendall) who is forced to return to the Australian town she grew up in. In coming home, she must revisit her past and the events that led her to flee as a teenager years ago.
ACMI CEO and Director Katrina Sedgwick commented: “We're delighted to partner again with Film Victoria and Series Mania for the third Series Mania Melbourne. ACMI’s Fed Square home may be temporarily closed for redevelopment, but we’re continuing to program the best of local and international screen culture. We’re thrilled that Melissa Rosenberg will be joining us for an unmissable conversation event and can’t wait to share homegrown series The Hunting and Frayed alongside critically acclaimed The Virtues with the watchers, makers and lovers of great TV.”
Laurence Herszberg, Series Mania founder and general director, said: “Series Mania is very excited to be partnering again with ACMI and Film Victoria. This relationship of work, trust and friendship is reinforced over time. And this is a new opportunity for the festival to salute and be alongside the brilliant Australian creators in the heart of a very active market.”
Series Mania Melbourne also offers a dedicated industry day full of panel discussions, masterclasses and Q&As with key creatives designed to launch local television and web series while attracting global engagement. Industry day speakers joining Melissa Rosenberg include: Luke Davies, writer of Lion, Candy and Catch 22; Brian Walsh, Director of Television Foxtel; Francois-Pier Pelinard-Lambert, Series Mania Creative Director; and actor, director and producer Rachel Griffiths.
Film Victoria CEO Caroline Pitcher said: “Series Mania Melbourne provides an excellent forum for connecting audiences and industry with premium television content, and the extraordinary talent behind making it. Our industry day features a stellar line-up of international and local creative talent, and we look forward to hearing their insights into the world of high-end television drama, and the art of storytelling for global audiences.”
The 2019 festival will build on the success of the second Series Mania Melbourne, which held sold out events alongside premieres of critically acclaimed series including the Emmy Award-winning Patrick Melrose staring Benedict Cumberbatch, the world premiere of Australian four-part digital comedy drama Wrong Kind of Black, and an in-depth conversation with acting great Hugo Weaving.
Series Mania Melbourne is jointly presented by ACMI, Film Victoria and Series Mania and takes place 3-5 July 2019. Public screenings are held at The Capitol and are free. Audiences are encouraged to book early to avoid disappointment. Tickets and more at acmi.net.au/seriesmania
In-conversation with Melissa Rosenberg held Friday 5 July. Tickets and more at acmi.net.au/seriesmania
Industry day will be held on Thursday 4 July at RMIT. Stay tuned for further industry day program announcements.
For interviews and enquiries, contact:
Imogen Craddock Kandel, Marketing & Communications Manager, ACMI
T +61 3 8663 2475
M +61 434 603 655