Industry Insights – The EFM Podcast is presented by the European Film Market of the Berlinale. Hosted by editor and journalist Michael Schneider, it delves deep into the rapidly evolving film industry.

In this episode, we bring together a diverse group of industry experts for a dynamic conversation about the ever-evolving world of TV series. We delve into what makes a series truly international—what allows a show to break through cultural and language barriers and resonate with audiences worldwide? Is it the warmth of relatable characters that audiences are seeking during challenging times, or is it the exploration of social-political issues and dystopian themes that capture our collective attention? Ultimately, the answer lies in universally compelling stories that speak to viewers beyond the confines of a single market. While it may be a tougher feat for comedy, there’s a clear call for future series to transcend these boundaries and reach a global audience.

In this discussion, Anna Rohde, Steve Matthews, Maria Cervera, and Paul Telegdy offer their unique perspectives on the international series market, providing predictions on where global audiences are headed next. They also explore the current trends shaping the industry, including the impact of financial shifts. Tune in to hear the experts tackle the future of series content and its journey across the globe.

The Berlinale Series Market is the EFM’s boutique market for serial content from all over the world. From February 16 to 19, industry experts, creatives, buyers and distributors will meet again at CinemaxX at Potsdamer Platz and Gropius Bau.

Steve Matthews is the Head of Scripted, Creative, at Banijay Entertainment, where he plays a pivotal role in the group’s production development process, leading on creative initiatives for original drama projects. Before joining Banijay Entertainment, Matthews was VP and Executive Producer, Scripted, at HBO Europe, having joined the business back in 2014. In that post, he partnered with local teams across Central Europe, Spain and Nordics, to spearhead the development of original series, miniseries, and international adaptations. His portfolio included Pustina, Umbre, Blinded By The Lights, Uspjeh, The Sleepers, Foodie Love, Gösta; and from Banijay Entertainment’s footprint specifically, 30 Coins (Pokeepsie), Beforeigners (Rubicon), and Beartown (Filmlance). Additionally, Matthews is dedicated to mentoring talent, and set up Banijay Bootcamp, a specific programme for scripted creatives.

Before joining Germany’s distribution and production house Beta Film GmbH as International Creative Executive & Content Editor, Anna Rohde studied dramaturgy, philosophy, and literature at Munich's Theatre Academy and at Ludwig Maximilian University Munich. Before her studies, she worked as assistant director in many national and international TV and feature films. She is member of Germany’s VeDRA (Verband für Film- und Fernsehdramaturgie e.V.), jury member of e.g. the International Emmy’s semi-finals, the Council of Europe Eurimages development award and – among others - mentor of SFF’s (Sarajevo Film Festival) CineLink workshop, the post-graduate Serial Eyes writing program. As content editor, she has been working on many internationally successful shows from the CEE region, most recently on the multi-awarded THE SILENCE (2021-2023) and GOLDEN BOY (2021), Jasmila Zbanic’s Venice premiered I KNOW YOUR SOUL (2023), and the Canneseries-awarded OPERATION SABRE (2024).

Maria Cervera is Head of Content for Cattleya Producciones, part of ITV Studios in Spain. During her 20 year+ professional path she has focused on series development and production for local and international markets, with previous roles at Paramount’s International TV Studio as Head of Content for EMEAA and within the Netflix International team. She also teaches at several writing programs including Berlin’s Serial Eyes and Spain’s screenwriters’ guild-sponsored master.

Paul Telegdy has worked across all genres of content, on brands as diverse as Top Gear, Teletubbies, Dr Who, The Voice and Planet Earth, to name a handful. Paul worked at NBCUniversal for 12 years, becoming Chairman of NBC in 2019, before that the BBC for ten years. In 2021, Paul co-founded The Whole Spiel, a media, entertainment, and gaming company based in Berlin and Los Angeles. With a degree in Korean and Japanese, and having lived in Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, Japan, The US and the UK, Paul has a distinctly global view of content and opportunity.

The host Michael Schneider has been covering the business of television for more than 25 years — most of that time at Variety, where he oversees television coverage as its TV Editor. Schneider has won several entertainment journalism awards and also regularly contributes to local outlets including Spectrum News 1 and KCRW. He was previously Executive Editor at IndieWire; the Chief Content Officer for TV Guide Magazine; and TV Editor at Daily Variety. Mike regularly moderates industry and TV show panels at events including Comic-Con, PaleyFest, HRTS, NATPE and others, and once won a staring contest with Jon Hamm on the Dolby Theatre stage.

This podcast episode has been developed in collaboration with Variety.

The Berlinale’s European Film Market is the first international film market of the year, where the film industry starts its business. Industry Insights - The EFM Podcast puts a spotlight on highly topical and trendsetting industry issues, thereby creating a compass for the forthcoming film year. The year-round podcast is produced in cooperation with Goethe-Institut and co-funded by Creative Europe MEDIA.