Mela
Cannes International Series Festival
Arts and film

Cannes International Series Festival

Festival International des Sรฉries de Cannes

A global celebration of television series in Cannes, France

Photo: MaleneSandgrav, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Cannes International Series Festival, known as Canneseries, is an annual event in Cannes, France, dedicated to showcasing television series from around the world. Usually held in parallel with the MIPTV Media Market, it brings together creators, actors, and fans to celebrate the art of serial storytelling.

Drawn for Mela from this festival's own symbols.
  • Held annually in Cannes, France since 2018
  • Features competitions for series, short forms, and documentaries
  • Icon Award honours outstanding achievement in acting
  • Madame Figaro Rising Star Award spotlights emerging actresses
  • Runs alongside the MIPTV Media Market

What it is

Canneseries is a festival that shines a spotlight on television series, drawing creators and fans from across the globe to the city of Cannes. Its aim is to promote and celebrate the diversity and creativity found in TV storytelling. The festival features a range of series in competition, from full-length dramas to short forms and documentaries, offering a platform for both established and emerging talents. For those passionate about television, Canneseries is a place to discover new voices, see premieres, and engage with the people who shape the stories we watch.

Where it comes from

The idea for an international television festival in Cannes was first supported by the city's mayor, David Lisnard, in 2014. The festival took shape over the following years, with Fleur Pellerin, a former French Minister of Culture, becoming its president in 2017. The first edition of Canneseries was announced in June 2017 and held in April 2018. Since then, it has grown into a significant event in the television industry calendar, running alongside the MIPTV Media Market and drawing attention to the evolving landscape of TV series.

How it is celebrated

Canneseries unfolds over several days with a packed programme that includes competitions for series, short forms, and documentaries, as well as screenings of works shown out of competition. Prestigious awards are given in categories such as Best Series, Best Screenplay, and Best Music, alongside special recognitions like the Icon Award and the Madame Figaro Rising Star Award. The festival also honours work that pushes artistic and societal boundaries with the Konbini Prix de l'Engagement. Attendees can expect red carpet events, panel discussions, and opportunities to meet both established stars and rising talents in the television world.

Joining in

Visitors to Cannes during the festival can experience the excitement of premieres, award ceremonies, and public screenings. The main events take place in venues around the city, making it easy to soak up the festival atmosphere. While some events are industry-focused, many screenings and talks are open to the public, offering a chance to see new series before their wider release and to participate in the lively conversations that define Canneseries.

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article Canneseries, whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it. For the full account, read the originals below.

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This page was written with AI assistance from the sources listed above, and checked automatically before publishing. Spotted a mistake? Tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.

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