On the red carpet, paraded a procession of series stars, including Laëtitia Milot in a low-cut black dress and lace (Plus belle la vie) and the Israeli Shira Haas, the heroine of "Unorthodox", in a pink dress.
The personalities then joined the opening ceremony presented by comedian and actress Daphne Burki, for an evening dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the cult series "The Wire".
Guests will be able to discover, the same day as on Netflix, "Drôle" by Frenchwoman Fanny Herrero, author of "Dix pour cent", who had achieved great success in France and internationally by recounting the setbacks of security agents. comedians.
This time, his new fiction focuses on depicting young comedians trying to break into the world of stand-up.
The jury for the international competition, which will have to decide between nine series, is chaired by producer Julia Sinkevych, designated "in solidarity with the Ukrainian people and their creators".
The latter, who left Lviv on Tuesday for Lille, was responsible for several years for one of the most important film festivals in Eastern Europe: the Odessa International Film Festival.
She will be supported in her choices by actors -- the German Christian Berkel ("The Fall") and Shira Haas --, writers and directors -- the Frenchman Marc Dugain and the Turkish Berkun Oya -- and the French artist-composer Yseult.
They will have to decide between nine series: two American "Billy The Kid" and "We Own This City", two British "The Baby" and "The Birth of Daniel F. Harris", two French "The world of tomorrow" and "Sentinels" , an Italian "Il Re", an Israeli "Fire Dance" and a Finnish "Transport".
After two years of health restrictions, this free festival will present until March 26 nearly sixty series from more than 20 countries, and will welcome series enthusiasts without a vaccine pass.
The mask is not obligatory, but remains recommended.
French actress Laëtitia Milot at the opening of the Series Mania festival, March 18, 2022 in Lille FRANCOIS LO PRESTI AFP
In 2021, Series Mania, which was held in September after being postponed twice due to the coronavirus, brought together 54,000 participants, subject to health gauges.
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