Series Mania to go ahead but ‘hygiene measures’ in place

Drama-skewing festival Series Mania will go ahead as planned despite the spread of Coronavirus across France.

The Festival, which takes place between 20 and 28 March, is not affected by the recent French government ban on group gatherings in excess of 5,000 people but organisers said they were monitoring the situation. More than 190 people have the virus in France, with three fatalities to date.

“Given that the audience capacities and attendance figures for festival locations, including movie theaters, the Nouveau Siècle auditorium, Lille Grand Palais, the Tri Postal, and so on, all events comprising the Series Mania Festival and Forum will be going ahead as planned,” organisers said.

Hygiene and information measures have been put in place, however, including the provision of hand sanitizers across all festival locations, “reinforced cleaning schedules” across all festival locations, special notices relating recommended hygiene practices, and additional training for staff.

Series Mania added that it was “in close and regular contact with local and national authorities to monitor how the situation is evolving. As such, we will be providing updates to participants with regard to any measures introduced by authorities as they are announced, and will fully comply with said decisions.”

Series Mania and the Series Mania Forum, which is scheduled for 25-27 March, are set to welcome a raft of execs and talent from around the world including Narcos‘ showrunner Chris Brancato, while shows such as 22 July from Norway and Behind The Door from Japan are among dramas set to air.