European TV series honoured with NDR award

A Belgian-German co-production has won this year's "Albatross" award: as part of SERIES LAB HAMBURG (a co-operation between Creative Europe Desk Hamburg, Letterbox Filmproduktion and Filmförderung Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein), NDR has awarded a prize for the best European television series project. Executive Producer Serge Bierset (Zodiak Belgium) and his Hamburg co-producer Dorothe Beinemeier (Red Balloon Film) are delighted to receive the award, worth 7,500 euros, for their psychological thriller "GR5": a group of young people set off on the "European Great Route 5", a hiking trail from the North Sea to the French Riviera, along which their friend Lisa disappeared without a trace five years ago.

The jury, consisting of actress Maria Furtwängler (NDR "Tatort" commissioner), Danish series Script Writer Nikolaj Scherfig ("The Bridge") and Christian Granderath, Head of the NDR Film, Family and Series Department, stated: "Nuanced characters experience an exciting story full of surprises. The potential for co-production is great," praised the jury, "GR5 is a professional and well-prepared series idea for young adults."

The winners Dorothe Beinemeier and Serge Bierset: "We are very happy to receive this positive feedback at such an early stage. The "Albatross" gives us a tailwind for our European co-production."

At SERIES LAB HAMBURG, 20 European series producers met with 20 international financiers. The two-day event will also focus on the specific dramaturgy of series: Screenwriting experts Nikolaj Scherfig and John Yorke ("Wolf Hall") will analyse selected projects.

The Executive Producers were selected by the participating Creative Europe Desks from twelve countries. They will meet eight Hamburg-based companies with their projects. SERIES LAB HAMBURG will take place from 3 to 6 October 2017 and is a cooperation between Creative Europe Desk Hamburg, Letterbox Filmproduktion and Filmförderung Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein.