South Intl by Cadiz. The series festival appears to have been formed to offer a highly eclectic third edition. The official section, which balances the world premiere with the famous streamer release, highlights the much-needed diversity in an increasingly conservative international television landscape.
The title ranges from intimate dramas exploring mental health and trans identity to epic dramas inspired by ancient mythology and innovative fiction/documentary hybrids in a 2025 competition with solid international outlook.
Supported by heavyweights like Fremantle, HBO Max, Mediaset España, Atresmedia, Sky Studios, Paramount+ and Movistar Plus+, these projects are designed not only for local resonance but also for travelling across boundaries.
Below we take a closer look at the main South competition lineup.
Fiction official section
“Atomic” (Gregory Burke, UK)
Inspired by William Langeviche’s non-fiction book, “Atomic Bazaar,” this adventure series contributes to the global threat of nuclear weapons production and the way in which the stakes of state-sponsored nuclear activities have reached a horrifying level. Starring Alfie Allen (“Game of Thrones”) and Shazad Latif (“Star Trek: Discovery”), undoubtedly following the friendship between two men who are caught up in a cartel plot to transport uranium across North Africa. Pulse film produced in connection with Sky Studios.
“Corbeau” (Pierre Louis Saint-Chaglin, Canada)
A French horror drama directed by Stephen Lapointe for Québecor Contenu for Canadian Encore Television. After a series of horrifying murders rock the city, a young, rebellious team of investigators settle the team with veteran colleagues, bodies piled up and begins a horrifying race with the time the duo must stand up to their own demons. Along with Mylène Mackay and Pascale Bussières, the world of the series premiered in the Berlinale series market.
“El Centro” (David Moreno, Spain)
A spice thriller series infused with realism, produced by Movistar Plus+ along with Pablo Isla’s Fonte Films (Mugaritz); Creator David Moreno and director David Ullore are the duo behind the cancerist “El Inmortal,” who delves into the inner workings of Spanish CNI intelligence services and explores the plot caused by the murders that sparked a high stakes hunt for ethnic groups. Stars Juan Diego Botto (“On the Fringe”), Tristán Ulloa (“Berlin”), Clara Segura (“The 47”), and Elena Martín (“Creatur”).
“Ella, Mardita Alma” (Aurora Galido, Spain)
Produced by ITV Studio’s Plano A Plano in Mediaset España and based on the book by author Manuel Rivas (The Butterfly Tongue, The Illegal Life), the series tells a supernatural thriller. The series features Maxi Iglesias (“Valeria”), Martigno Rivas (“Nacho”) and Karina Corocorticova (“Grandmother”). Lensed in Cadiz, it was announced in 2024 in the South Series 2024 as a project and will return for the world premiere.
“Futuro desierto” (Lucia Puenzo, Mexico)
One of the biggest series that has emerged from Latin America, “Futuro desierto,” a closely related psychological thriller and family drama of six episodes of Lucía and Nicolás Puenzo explores the big questions that have sparked AI. Jose Maria Yazpik (“Narcos: Mexico”), àstridbergès-frisbey (“Pirates of the Caribbean: Unknown Tide”) and Andre Para (“Pablo Escobar, El Patron del Mar”) Gaumont USA produces for Paramount Television International Studios. TIS Studios Handles International is based in Colombia and Mexico.
“Small Disasters” (Sara Konratt, UK)
Starring Diane Kruger (Troy, Inglourious Basterds) the series is based on the novel by Saravaughan (The Anatomy of Scandals) and explores female friendship and motherhood through the lens of four women. Paramount+ rough cut television production, Spanish licensed via HBO Max. Fremantle is a leader in international distribution.
“Nails” (Aracerialvarez de Sotomayor, Spain)
Skyshowtime’s third hometown commissioned the original series in Spain. World premiere at Cádiz. It was produced by the Spanish Federation in partnership with Skyshowtime and Telemundo Studios. The story of four women of different ages who meet in different backgrounds and nail salons. Their repeated encounters spark unique friendships and turn them into criminal partners.
“Romi” (Eaker Azcoia, Spain)
A procedural drama produced by Joko TV (Productiones Mandarina) of Mediaset España. It features a deaf private detective investigating the lengthy death of her father, whom she suspects is murder. The 2022 Best New Actress Goya Award winner, “Maixabel” and “Romi” were headlined by María Cerezuela and distributed by the Mediterranean Media Set España group, appealing to both comprehensive programming and suspense genre fans. Creator Azkoitia was the author of Netflix Mega-Hit’s “élite.” Inés París (“The Barrier”) and Claudia Pinto (“L’Alquer Ria Blanca”, “Beguinas”) directly.
“Sensefiltress” (Nicorariso, Spain)
Creator Director – Actor Aliso brings disrespect and locality to this experimental drama produced by 3CAT. The series blends scripted and documentary-style sequences to confront modern social taboos. It will premiere on 3Cat’s streaming platform and mark the bold Catalan voice in its official section.
“The War of the Kingdom” (Andreas Barris, Germany)
One of Europe’s biggest series, the epic drama of “Niberungenrido”, directed by Kirill’s boss and Philip Stennelt, is the duo behind the mystery series “Pagan Peak”, co-written by “Murdersfeally” Scribe Doron Wisotzky. Produced by RTL’s German giant Constantine film, the series blends mythology with cleansing visuals with romantic intrigue. Fremantle handles international sales. Movistar Plus+ will be releasing the series in Spain.
“How does it feel to girls?” (Paris, Leeds, UK)
Produced by BBC Three and iPlayer’s Hera Pictures (“Mary & George”), the adult drama series adopted a memoir from transgender pioneer Parisley, exploring trans identity through intense realism. Filmin has a series aimed at Spain.
Non-fiction, official section
“Vulnerability” (Gonzalo Sagardia, Spain)
After the pandemic, young people and teenagers have developed a set of mental health issues related to excessive screening times and social media use. The series aims to show the consequences of these excesses on the mental health of young people. Atresmedia’s Onza Entertainment production was developed with guidance from psychiatrist Marián Rojas, executive producer alongside José María Irisarri and Santiago de la Rica.
“La Fungala, Toma que Toma” (Mediaset Espania, Spain)
The three-episode documentary chronicles the journey of Rahungala, a pioneering artist in flamenco fusion, from her humble origins to the Latin Grammy, revealing her struggles and resilience after the loss of her family. This film features tour moments and C. There are insights from artists like Tangana and Antonio Carmona. Lyomedia produced it on Mediaset’s Infinity Platform.
“Una Historia Muy Heavy” (Alejandro Torres, Maria Jose Camacho, Spain)
Produced by Magnetika Films of Rtve Play, the series has focused on Obús and Barón Rojo, the legends of Spanish heavy metal and rival bands since the 1980s. The series revisits the origins of Spanish metals through this rivalry.
“Agent – Father’s Life and Lies” (NRK, Norway)
Created, produced and distributed by Norwegian public broadcaster NRK, this award-winning documentary series films the best documentary at Canceries 2025, delving into estranged father-son relationships intertwined with secrets, deceptions and delayed revelation.
“Tiktok: The War of Data” (“Tiktok, the impact of unRéseau Sous”, Vincent de Cointet, France)
Combining the production of Morgane with the Arte France team, Docusary analyzes Tiktok’s geopolitical and social impacts. It blends expert interviews, user-generated content and data analytics to provide a global perspective with cautionary notes on the impact of social media.
Spotlight to the south
“Baldo” (Alain Berliner, UK – = Belgium)
Produced by London-based distinctive films, French Timpel Pictures and Belgian Agent Double, The Docuseries captures the cinematic and cultural influences of the international icon with unusual footage and interviews. It is distributed by FREMANTLE and is set to premier via Spain’s Movistar Plus+.
“Crimen Y Ley”, Season 2, (Jorge Morina, Daniel Gamero, Spain)
It was co-produced by Andalusian Public Broadcaster Canal Sur’s Grupo Amm and Productiones Cibeles. Guided by crime novelist Susanna Martin Zihon, Docusary travels through the area exploring how criminal cases and law enforcement and the actions of justice system worked.
Bardot
