‘The Interregnum’ Wins at SeriesMakers: A Look into the Future of AI and Justice
Spain’s innovative project, ‘The Interregnum’, has emerged victorious at SeriesMakers, clinching the prestigious Beta & Kirch Foundation Award. This award includes a cash prize of €50,000 (approximately $51,000).
About SeriesMakers
Launched in 2022 by Laurence Herszberg, the general director of Series Mania, along with Ferdinand Dohna, head of content and co-production at Beta, SeriesMakers aims to nurture emerging filmmakers by providing mentorship and resources.
Collaboration and Development Opportunities
The winning team of ‘The Interregnum’ is set to collaborate with Beta’s Content and Co-Production Division to bring their vision to life. This partnership facilitates the development of a pilot script and a comprehensive production package, positioning Beta Film for potential international distribution if the series proceeds to production.
Overview of ‘The Interregnum’
Created by Simón Casal and produced by Mariela Besuievsky of the Oscar-winning Tornasol Media, known for The Secret in Their Eyes, ‘The Interregnum’ is a six-episode series set in the year 2031. It envisions a critical referendum within the European Union concerning an AI system proposed to replace human judges.
Plot and Characters
The narrative follows two campaign managers, Inma and Lyda, who lead the ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ sides in the referendum campaign. As they navigate their political battle, they uncover a dark secret related to the death of the AI’s creator, Alicia, which could impact not only the campaign but also their own identities.
Creator Insights
Simón Casal, who previously directed the film Justicia Artificial in 2022, noted the challenges he faced in condensing a complex story into a film format. “We didn’t have time to tell the whole story because it was a film. The movie was pretty accessible and had very good reviews, but it was a little short for what we wanted to speak about,” he reflected during the award acceptance.
Meanwhile, Besuievsky emphasized the enriching experience provided by SeriesMakers, highlighting its role in teaching Casal how to craft episodic narratives and character arcs effectively. He stated that he has gained insights into making projects appealing to international audiences.
Judges Commend the Project
Ferdinand Dohna remarked on the significance of ‘The Interregnum’, stating, “The creators impressed with a political thriller that reflects the complexity of some of the most pressing issues of our time: AI and justice.” He praised the show’s ability to intertwine various themes within the context of an urgent fictional EU referendum.
Notable Mentions
Apart from ‘The Interregnum’, other selected projects included:
- A Person of Interest
- Le Bouton d’Or
- Cow’s Tongue
- Death Becomes Him
- Falke Motors
- Pigs’ Disco
- Stick ‘Em Up
- Unequal
- The Wonderful Golem
Future Aspirations
Laurence Herszberg expressed pride in the outcomes of SeriesMakers, stating, “When we started SeriesMakers three years ago, our goal was to become the best mentoring program for filmmakers making their TV creator debut. As evidenced by the ten projects featured this year and with the prize going to ‘The Interregnum’, we couldn’t be more pleased with our results.”
John Hopewell contributed to this article.