Argentina's Daniel Burman's international spy thriller 'Witness 36' has been awarded the prestigious Series Mania Award at Co-Pro Series, the Berlinale Series Market's annual project pitching event. The award includes an invitation for the production team to present again at the Series Mania Forum's Co-Pro Pitching Sessions in Lille next month. 'Witness 36' is the sixteenth project presented out of competition in partnership with the Berlinale Co-Production Market.
Daniel Burman, a prominent filmmaker from Latin America, gained international recognition with a double Berlin Silver Bear win in 2004 for his fourth feature 'Lost Embrace.' Despite his success in cinema, Burman has ventured into premium drama series creation without abandoning his film career. In 2017, he announced that Mediapro had acquired a stake in his TV company Oficina Burman, with 'Yosi, the Regretful Spy' standing out at the 2022 Berlinale Series.
'Witness 36,' produced by Buenos Aires-based Oficina Burman, is created, directed, and produced by Burman himself. The series is co-written by Natacha Caravia and Juan Matías Carballo, exploring themes of espionage, identity, justice, and second chances. The story revolves around a secret plan by intelligence agencies to establish an extraterritorial witness protection program in Argentina, where a female writer becomes romantically involved with a mysterious man linked to her fictional creations.
The series delves into the transformative power of storytelling and the blurred lines between fact and fiction in the digital age. Carballo described 'Witness 36' as a mother-daughter redemption story that navigates themes of betrayal and second chances. The project aims to offer a thrilling and thought-provoking viewing experience that challenges audiences to contemplate the complexities of truth and fiction in today's world.
Francesco Capurro, Series Mania Forum director, praised the project's international appeal and intimate storytelling, highlighting the wealth of talent in the region. He emphasized the importance of the Berlinale Series Market in providing industry exposure and fostering partnerships. Capurro reflected on the market's growth over the past decade and its successful collaboration with industry professionals.
