The Italian Global Series returns from July 3 to 11, between Rimini and Riccione. The international festival dedicated to TV series, now in its second edition, presents a renewed format and an even stronger focus on the audiovisual industry.
The event will once again be led by critic Marco Spagnoli, with organization overseen by APA – Italian Audiovisual Producers Association – and supported by the main national and local institutions. The patron of the 2026 edition will be actress Matilde Gioli.
Among the key new features announced by APA President Chiara Sbarigia are the introduction of a section dedicated to children, an expansion of the space devoted to artistic professions, and the establishment of an award for Casting Directors. These initiatives reaffirm the festival’s commitment to enhancing all professional roles involved in the serial production chain and to placing Italian original productions at the center, described as “the expression of a sector capable of engaging with an increasingly international audience.”
International premieres in competition, keynote sessions with leading figures from global serial storytelling, and public-facing events are all confirmed. Italian original productions will play a central role, increasingly asserting themselves in international markets.
This approach aligns with the broader framework outlined by Undersecretary of State for Culture Lucia Borgonzoni, who recalled how Romagna is “a territory that has shaped imaginaries recognized worldwide,” emphasizing that “when Italy invests in its stories, it does not celebrate the past, but builds the future.”
Regional Councillor for Tourism Roberta Frisoni highlighted the festival as “a strategic lever for territorial branding,” capable of strengthening Emilia-Romagna’s attractiveness in international markets.
Completing the picture, Artistic Director Marco Spagnoli reiterated the aim of making the Italian Global Series “a point of reference and a meeting place for the national and international industry.”
Following a first edition that hosted over 150 titles from 34 countries, the Italian Global Series confirms its role as a strategic platform for dialogue and development within contemporary serial storytelling.
