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Séries Mania Opens in Lille With ‘The Testaments’ as Festival Trains Its Gaze on Authoritarianism

A leaner slate this year reflects a tightening market.

Overview

  • The 2026 edition runs March 20–27 in Lille, showcasing 51 series from 16 countries in and out of competition.
  • The festival opened with the world premiere of The Testaments, created by Bruce Miller and starring Chase Infiniti, ahead of its April 8 launch on Disney+.
  • Organisers report roughly 380 submissions versus 450 last year, citing fewer American entries and a lighter presence of big-budget titles.
  • European public broadcasters take center stage with politically urgent works, including Arte’s Etty, which reframes historical extremism in a contemporary setting.
  • The professional forum hosts Disney+, Prime Video and HBO Max, with media reports speculating about a potential HBO Max–Paramount+ tie-up.