Series Mania returns for third Melbourne event

Series Mania is returning to Melbourne in early July for a third TV festival with free public screenings, headlined by Jessica Jones creator & showrunner Melissa Rosenberg (Twilight, Dexter).

Also featuring this year are:

• World Premiere: SBS drama The Hunting starring Asher Keddie and Richard Roxburgh, which explores the lives of four teenagers, their teachers and families as they deal with the fallout of a nude teen photo scandal.
• World Premiere: ABC comedy Frayed. 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.
• Australian Premiere: ITV drama The Virtues (Series Mania France Grand Prix winner). 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.
• Industry day July 4 at RMIT: 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. Program & tix to be announced.

Industry Welcome drinks are Wednesday July 3. In Conversation with Melissa Rosenberg on July 5 is $25 tix.

While ACMI undergoes redevelopment, this year’s event will be held on July 4-5 at the newly restored The Capitol in Swanston Street.

ACMI CEO and Director Katrina Sedgwick said: “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.”

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.”

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.”

Series Mania Melbourne is jointly presented by ACMI, Film Victoria and Series Mania. Public screenings are held at The Capitol and are free.

Audiences are encouraged to book early to avoid disappointment at acmi.net.au/seriesmania