As the sun sets over the vibrant city of Barcelona, the anticipation builds for the 12th edition of Serielizados, one of Spain's most important TV festivals. For Victor Sala, co-founder of the event, the excitement is palpable. "Our goal is to elevate TV series to the category of high culture," he says, his eyes shining with passion. It's a lofty ambition, but one that has already begun to bear fruit, as Serielizados has grown from a humble university project to a global phenomenon.

The story of Serielizados begins in 2014, when a group of students at the University of Barcelona came together to create a festival that would showcase the best of Spanish television. Led by Sala and his co-founder, Maria Jose Garcia, the team worked tirelessly to bring their vision to life. They scoured the country for the most innovative and exciting TV series, and invited industry professionals to come and share their expertise.

Fast forward to 2025, and Serielizados has become a major player in the global TV festival circuit. The event attracts over 10,000 visitors to Barcelona each year, with a further 200,000 tuning in online. The festival's industry section, Serielizados Pro, has become a hotbed of activity, with over 250 decision-makers from around the world attending the annual Serielizados Pro Industry Day.

But Serielizados is more than just a festival - it's a platform for creators to showcase their work, and for audiences to discover new and exciting stories. The event's series program is a highlight of the festival, featuring some of the most innovative and groundbreaking TV series from around the world. This year's program includes the highly anticipated "Argi Gorriak", a historical drama that explores the complexities of Spanish history, as well as "The Anatomy of a Moment", a thought-provoking drama that examines the impact of social media on modern society.

For Sala, the key to Serielizados' success lies in its commitment to showcasing the best of Spanish television, while also providing a platform for international creators to share their work. "We want to create a space where creators can come together, share their ideas, and learn from each other," he explains. "We believe that TV series have the power to bring people together, to challenge our assumptions, and to inspire us to think differently."

As Serielizados continues to grow and evolve, it's clear that Sala and his team are committed to their vision of elevating TV series to the category of high culture. With its unique blend of innovative programming, industry expertise, and global perspective, Serielizados is poised to become one of the leading TV festivals in the world.

The festival's impact is already being felt, with several international sales and acquisitions announced in the lead-up to the event. "Aliefs Queer Neo-Noir" has been sold to TLA Releasing for North America, while "The Activist" has been picked up by HBO Max for the Baltics. These deals are a testament to the festival's ability to attract international attention and provide a platform for creators to showcase their work.

As the 12th edition of Serielizados gets underway, it's clear that the festival has come a long way since its humble beginnings as a university project. But Sala remains committed to his vision, and is already looking to the future. "We're just getting started," he says, with a smile. "We have big plans for the future, and we're excited to see where this journey takes us."

For now, the focus is on the present, and the excitement of the festival is palpable. As the lights go up on the opening night of Serielizados, it's clear that this is an event that is not to be missed. With its innovative programming, industry expertise, and global perspective, Serielizados is poised to become one of the leading TV festivals in the world.