The third edition of the South International Series Festival saw “Girl For a Girl’s Feelings” and “Una Historia Muy Heavy” as big winners on Wednesday, September 18th, earning the best fiction and the best non-fiction series, respectively.
“What Feels Girls” created by Pariles and produced by Hera Pictures at BBC Three/iPlayer’s ITV Studios confirmed its impact on Triple Win.
“Brave portrait”
Carmen Serrano, president of Fiction Jury, head of Europa Creative Desk Andalusia, praised the “brave portraits of difficult and dark reality told with energy and authenticity that shakes the viewer with a story full of pain, kindness and youthful joy.”
In non-fiction, Una Historia Muy Heavy (the best non-fiction series that has been recognized for its rhythm, historical contextualization and depth of research by RTVE, RTVE, performing the original produced by Magnetika Films. That victory reflects South’s role as a launchpad for Spanish facts, with RTVE increasing the original and later growing international footprint RTVE sales, strengthening the Spanish documentary footprint overseas.
The category also paid off for “La Húngara. TomaQue Toma,” produced by Lyo Media in Megamedia’s executive production for Media Set Infinity, winning the ju judge’s special award.
“La Fungala. Toma que Toma” Presentation
Credit: Reina
The Audience Awards won fiction from “Era, Mardita Alma”, a Plano A production of Media Set Espanya, distributed by the MediTane Neo Media Set Espanya Group, and non-fiction “Rahungara.”
Beyond the highest acclaim, the festival has given out 11 prizes in total. “Sense Filtres” (3cat) claimed the best script for fiction, praised for its fresh and cheerful take on universal stories. The South Boost major awards – awarded within the pitching section of the festival of the Andalucian Project under development – went to “Coleos Y Telegrafos” by Jacobo Palomo, David G. Marcelo and Rosio Martin. The portrait of “El Cantante” directed by Jorge Naranjo and Spanish rock legend Miguel Rios made special mentions of South Boost.
Civic Pride meets global ambitions
The 2025 edition attracts nearly 13,000 attendees, including 700 experts and 310 journalists, with screenings almost sold out and industry sessions at 90% capacity.
Over 2,200 viewer votes highlight the strong community’s involvement in Andalusia. Director Carls Montiel described it as the center of the South’s DNA.
South will become an outstanding showcase for Spanish and international drama, offering creators and producers the space to test their work in front of industry insiders and general audiences at the start of a new television season. This double character – some professional markets, some popular celebrations – has set up Cadiz apart from traditional festivals and strengthened its potential.
The festival, supported by the Womack Group, relied on the Mediterraneomedia set España group as media sponsors, as well as official support from the city of Cadiz, the Cadiz provincial legislature and the Andalusian regional government.