Spain's Serielizados Festival Unveils Star-Studded Lineup with Celeste Season 2 and Hagai Levi's 'Etty'

Spanish Cinema's Spotlight

When I first heard about the Serielizados festival, I was intrigued by its reputation as Spain's second-largest audience-driven film/TV festival—right after San Sebastián. This year, it's bringing a truly spectacular lineup that highlights both national and international excellence in television storytelling. From Spain's most successful series to daring new productions from across Europe, the festival promises an immersive experience for any fan of quality television.

"This year's festival motto could be 'life through series' as every selected show mirrors current societal anxieties with a strong authorial voice."

Celeste Season 2: A Spanish Sensation Returns

At the heart of the national competition lies the highly anticipated return of Celeste, Spain's most talked-about television series. The show, which won best screenplay at Serielizados in 2024 and earned a best actress win for Carmen Machi, is making its way back with Season 2. This time around, viewers will follow tax inspector Sara Santano (played by Machi) as she dives into a new case involving tax evasion.

Created by Diego San José and directed by Elena Trapé—both of whom previously brought us the award-winning Jakarta in 2025—this series has become a cultural phenomenon. It's a testament to how powerful television can be when it's crafted with both heart and intellect.

Killing a Bear: A Powerful Legal Drama

Another standout from the national competition is Killing a Bear, inspired by real events surrounding the death of a wild bear in the Pyrenees. This six-part series follows a groundbreaking criminal investigation into the killing, with top-tier Spanish actors like Eduard Fernández, María Rodríguez Soto, and Miki Esparbé delivering powerful performances.

Directed by the Sánchez-Cabezudo brothers, who also produced In Vitro, this drama is more than just a crime thriller—it's a poignant reflection on humanity's relationship with nature. And let's not forget that it'll be making its way to Barcelona after premiering at Venice (out of competition) and Series Mania.

International Competition: A Global Showcase

The festival's second largest showcase is the international competition, which features six outstanding series from across Europe. Leading the pack is Etty, a French-German-Dutch co-production based on the diaries of Dutch writer Etty Hillesum.

This drama, created by Hagai Levi (“In Treatment,” “Scenes from a Marriage”), tells the story of a young woman's emotional journey during Nazi-occupied Amsterdam. It's being screened at Serielizados after premiering at Venice and Series Mania, giving audiences a rare opportunity to see this critically acclaimed series in person.

Artistic Excellence Across Borders

From the French satire Camarades, which was met with critical acclaim at Series Mania and earned best actress for Manon Kneuzé, to BBC's comedic gem Ann Droid, starring Diane Morgan, there's a wealth of artistic brilliance in the mix.

Ann Droid offers an irreverent yet touching take on grief and human relationships—a rare combination that has captivated millions with its opening episode alone. The show's success speaks volumes about the global appetite for innovative, emotionally resonant content.

Germany's Bold Narratives

German television also makes a significant impact with two bold entries: A Better Place, a suspenseful drama tackling social commentary around failing prison systems, and Naked, which explores sex addiction and desire. Both productions demonstrate the German commitment to tackling complex societal issues through compelling narratives.

Presiding Over the Competition

The festival's international competition will be led by Spanish director Rodrigo Sorogoyen, who recently earned an Oscar nomination for his Cannes competition contender The Beloved. He'll be joined by comedian and showrunner Victoria Martín, whose series Se tiene que morir mucha gente was a hit with audiences this year.

Festival Motto: An Eye For It

Commenting on the lineup, Serielizados co-head Betu Martínez emphasized the festival's focus on curating meaningful television in an era of overabundance. The theme for this year—“An Eye For It”—is a nod to the festival's mission to act as an editorial filter amidst the noise.

"In an era of overabundance driven by algorithms, a festival's core job is editorial curation. We act as a filter," he insisted.

More Than Just a Festival

Beyond its competitive programs, Serielizados continues to shine a light on emerging talent and unique storytelling formats. The festival features sections on immigration, comedy, and even culinary artistry with a talk featuring Catalan chef Ferran Adrià about his drama Genesis.

For those who might not be able to attend the physical event in Barcelona, the festival will also stream its programming through Filmin, ensuring that fans around the world can enjoy these exceptional series.