In an age where ‘binge-watch’ is a global term, the line between a hit show in Mumbai and a blockbuster in Madrid is thinner than ever. We are living in the golden age of television, a revolution powered by streaming giants and a universal hunger for compelling stories. And while Hollywood often dominates the conversation, a powerful movement in Barcelona is reshaping how we celebrate the art of the serial.
This is the exclusive inside story of Serielizados Fest, a festival that journeyed from a humble university classroom to the global stage, becoming a critical nexus for television creators and fans across Europe.
From a University Blog to a Cultural Movement
It all began, as many great things do, with a simple passion. A decade ago, co-founders Víctor Sala and Beto Marín were two university students in Barcelona, united by their fervent love for groundbreaking shows like The Wire and The Sopranos. Their project started as a blog—a digital space to dissect, debate, and celebrate the series that were changing television forever.
What started as a passion project quickly found its audience. The goal was to create an online community for series lovers in Spain, and that digital community soon demanded a physical space. What began as small, informal screenings snowballed. The blog evolved into a magazine, and soon, the first Serielizados Fest was born. Its initial editions were modest, but its core philosophy was potent: treat television with the same artistic respect as cinema. They organized masterclasses with writers, hosted premieres usually reserved for film festivals, and brought creators face-to-face with their audience.
Building a National Reputation in Barcelona and Madrid
The festival’s reputation for quality curation and genuine passion quickly made it the most important event of its kind in Spain. It expanded from its home base in Barcelona to the capital, Madrid, effectively cementing its national influence. By creating a dedicated space for high-quality television, Serielizados proved that the small screen deserved big-screen respect.
The International Edge: Bridging Spain with Global Television
In today’s interconnected world, national influence was just the beginning. The festival’s organizers set their sights on a bigger prize: becoming a bridge between Spanish-language storytelling and the rest of the world. This is where Serielizados Fest’s international edge comes into play.
In recent years, the festival has hosted some of the most celebrated names in global television. The strategy is not just to attract big names, but the right names. They’ve brought in masterminds like Jesse Armstrong, the creator of HBO’s behemoth Succession, and writers from the critically acclaimed Danish political drama Borgen. By doing so, they aren’t just screening episodes; they are facilitating a global dialogue about the craft of storytelling.
Why Serielizados Fest Matters on a Global Stage
For international audiences who have embraced Spanish narratives from Money Heist (La Casa de Papel) to Narcos, the rise of a festival like Serielizados is a tantalizing prospect. It represents a curated gateway to discover the next global phenomenon before it hits mainstream streaming services. It’s a testament to the idea that a powerful story, whether from Catalonia or Kerala, can resonate across continents.
From a university project to a cultural powerhouse, the journey of Serielizados Fest is a lesson in the power of a focused vision. It proves that with genuine passion and an unwavering commitment to quality, a small idea can grow to command the attention of the world. As it continues to blur the lines between Spanish and international television, one thing is certain: the next great story might just be discovered in a theatre in Barcelona.
