“Proud,” a show that burst onto the scene at Seriesmania and became one of the signature crowd-pleasers but still may be controversial in its native Poland, closed Friday night with the French Television Festival’s Top Grand Prix.
Proud, produced by Karol Klementewicz, also won Best Actor for Ignacy Rhys for his charming role as a party-loving young gay man who suddenly decides to take on the role of caring for the baby left behind by his late sister. The pair hope the series will spark a dialogue in Poland, where there is no legal precedent for same-sex couples to adopt children.
“There’s never been a show like this before, and this subject continues to polarize our society. I think ‘Proud’ has a chance to show both sides and prove that we can and should talk to each other,” Rhys told Variety ahead of the show’s world premiere at SeriesMania.
Beyond Poland, Kuba Czekaj’s memorably directed medical drama/spy thriller won the Student Jury Prize, and much of the night belonged to the BBC, where two early 2026 gems won rave reviews at Series Mania, Waiting for the Out won Best Original Screenplay, and Best Screenplay and Acting at International Panorama went to Detective List creator Mackenzie Crook’s Small. ‘The Prophet’ was hailed by the Guardian as ‘a magical new comedy, pure, unadulterated joy’.
The coveted Main Competition Audience Award goes to Australian ABC-BBC-ZDF drama Dustfall, a sweaty and nasty Australian tropical noir anchored by a powerful performance from Anna Torv.
“We are pleased that the award list confirms the trends we have observed: a strong UK presence and the high quality of Polish series (both three times awarded), as well as Quebec’s notable presence,” said Lawrence Herzberg, founder and managing director of Seriesmania.
“We are also particularly pleased that a unique series like “The Flaws” has earned its place among the winners. Finally, we commend “My. We would like to sincerely thank all the partners who made this event possible, including Europe. ”
Amanda Jansson (“The Thin Blue Line”) won Best Actress for “My Brother.” Amanda Jansson gives a great performance in SVT’s psychological mystery thriller about elemental, carnal passion, playing Yana, who returns to her hometown in the remote rural Smarangel to save her brother Bro, drinks herself to death after a broken heart, and comes to terms with her own horrific past of domestic violence.
In Quebec, acting accolades went to Maxime Le Flague (Rodeo) for his portrayal of conflicted investigator Gabriel Serpent in Welcome to Kingston Falls, which Variety magazine described as a “dark and quirky crime drama,” while the award for best short series went to Canada’s Zachary Laloux and Edouard Gringas for their “offbeat thriller” Ayers Cliff. Breaking the norms of film noir to deliver an unpredictable and hilarious getaway, its unabashed kitsch is elevated to the level of high art. ” in the series enthusiast’s own words.
Arne Feldhussen won Best Director for ZDF’s The Flaws. The Office could have won awards for its originality and sheer insanity, but it also has an out-of-control physical humor that Monty Python would love to dabble in.
Series Mania Prizes:
audience award
“Dustfall” (Australia) — ABC TV, BBC, ZDF
international competition
grand prize
“Proud” (Poland) — HBO Max
Best written work
Dennis Kelly, “Waiting for the Out” (UK) — BBC
Best Actress Award
Amanda Jansson, “My Brother” (Sweden) — SVT-DR-NRK-YLE /RÚV
Best Actor Award
Ignacy Rhys, “Proud” (Poland) — HBO Max
french competition
series
“All Shape of Us” (“Grandiose”) — TF1
Best Actress Award
Manon Kunese, “Camarades” — ARTE
Best Actor Award
Karim Leklou, “Eldorado” — ARTE/RTBF
Best original score
Amin Bouhafa, For Privilege — HBO Max
international panorama
best series
“The Little Prophets” (UK) — BBC
Best Director Award
Arne Feldhussen, “The Flaws” (Germany) — ZDF
Best Actress Award
Lauren Patel, “The Little Prophet” (UK) — BBC
Best Actor Award
Maxime Le Flaguet, “Welcome to Kingston Falls” (Canada) — ICI Radio-Canada
Student Jury Award
“Variola Vera” (Poland) — TVP
short form competition
best series
“Ayers Cliff” (Canada) — ICI Tou.tv Extra
Special note
“Hirayasumi” (Japan) — NHK
Student Jury Award
“La Derniere Heure” (France) — ARTE
mention
“Homebodies” (Australia) — SBS
