PHOENIX - Telling Stories that Matter

When the French thriller PHOENIX premiered, it quickly became one of the season’s most debated series. Centered around a group of young climate activists kidnapping the children of corporate elites, the series ignited controversy far beyond the screen: How far can television go in portraying crucial topics in a realistic way?

This session brings together key creatives and decision-makers behind the ambitious Franco-German co-production to discuss the development, financing and editorial journey of a series designed to provoke conversation. From navigating broadcaster expectations and international co-production structures to balancing political urgency with mainstream storytelling appeal, the panel explores what it really takes to bring challenging, risk-taking drama to European audiences today.

Joining the discussion are Morad Koufane (France Télévisions), producer Alexandre Charlet and Thomas Gammeltoft (EWC), and Maik Platzen (ZDF), offering a candid look at the tensions between creative ambition, public responsibility and the growing demand for bold, socially engaged storytelling in European television.