KVIFF Pop Up Series Incubator Showcases Bold New European Series

The inaugural Pop-Up Series Incubator at the 59th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF) presented a diverse array of original European series pitches on July 8, 2025. Among the standout projects were 'Erotic Lives of the Superheroes,' a crime thriller that examines the darker side of heroism, and 'Therapies,' a tragicomic portrayal of women navigating cancer treatment in a hospital setting. This event, organized in collaboration with Central European Media Enterprises, featured five innovative series that highlight the creative potential of European storytelling in a competitive global market.

The project 'Erotic Lives of the Superheroes' draws inspiration from Marco Mancassola's novel 'La Vita Erotica Dei Superuomini.' The series follows a hard-drinking paparazzo and his estranged detective sister who investigate a series of murders of disgraced superheroes. Eric Dupont, one of the scriptwriters, emphasized the series' thematic exploration of the fragility behind the façade of heroism, stating, "It’s about what happens when the people we want to worship end up selling out, and we realized that no one is coming to save us." The series aims to subvert traditional superhero narratives by portraying superpowers as burdens rather than gifts.

Meanwhile, 'Therapies' offers a poignant look at the experiences of women undergoing chemotherapy in a remote hospital. Based on a play by Birutė Kapustinskaitė, the series depicts the interactions among patients, highlighting the absurdity and emotional complexities of their shared struggles. Kapustinskaitė shared her personal connection to the story, noting that her mother’s battle with cancer inspired her to write the play. She remarked, "The story is not a story about illness. It becomes a story about how life just keeps going."

Other notable pitches included 'The Three Burials of Irma,' a neo-noir thriller set against the backdrop of the Greek junta, which examines themes of patriarchy and justice through the lens of female characters. Additionally, 'The Night of the Beguines' tells the tale of a community of independent women in 14th-century Paris facing persecution for their beliefs. Lastly, 'Angelmaker,' a dark comedy about women taking control of their fates in a post-war village, underscores contemporary issues of power and resistance against patriarchal structures.

The KVIFF Pop-Up Series Incubator aims to support and promote innovative series projects that may not fit traditional molds, providing creators with the opportunity to showcase their work to industry representatives. As the global television landscape evolves, initiatives like this are crucial for fostering diverse narratives and empowering storytellers in Europe and beyond. With these projects, KVIFF is positioning itself as a vital platform for the next wave of European television talent, encouraging a broader dialogue about the role of women and social issues in contemporary storytelling.

The future of these series remains uncertain as they move through the development process, but the reception at KVIFF indicates a strong interest in their themes and narratives. As audiences seek more authentic and challenging content, the success of these projects at KVIFF could signal a shift in the types of stories that gain traction in the international market.