The Council of Europe, home of Eurimages, through the Pilot Programme for Series Co-Productions and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) are pleased to announce that ‘Radio Free Europe’, created by Brigitte Drodtloff and produced by Maze Picture AG and MicroFILM (Romania), has been selected as the recipient of the European Series Development Award 2026.

Launched earlier this year during TV Drama Vision during the Gothenburg Film Festival by the Council of Europe and the EBU, the award provides €50,000 in development support to help advance ambitious European drama series with strong international co-production potential. The initiative aims to encourage independent European storytelling, strengthen cross-border collaboration, foster partnerships between producers and public service media, and support high-quality scripted content that generates public value while reflecting Europe's cultural diversity and democratic principles.

The award was presented during Seriencamp Conference in Cologne, Germany, a three-day industry event that brings together producers, creatives, broadcasters and distributors from across Europe to network and discuss the latest trends and future developments in serial storytelling.

Following an evaluation process conducted by the EBU Fiction Expert Group, five projects were shortlisted and invited to participate in a live pitching session at Seriencamp Conference. The shortlisted teams presented their projects to a jury and an audience of audiovisual professionals attending the conference.

The jury, composed of Elly Vervloet, International Drama Expert at VRT Belgium, representing the EBU Fiction Expert Group, Alex Traila Programme Manager at the Council of Europe and Marc Lorber international executive and founder at The Art of Co-Production, selected "Radio Free Europe" as the winner of the inaugural award.

Jury statement

“Driven by experienced producers behind a truly organic co-production, this series brings a chapter of not-so-distant history vividly to life. Combining sensitivity with striking contemporary relevance, it tells its story through a woman who finds herself becoming a voice for truth and freedom, while its music of joy and protest, and the radio waves they ride upon, carry hope and resistance across borders and generations”.

By combining the Council of Europe’s mission to promote cultural and democratic values with the EBU’s network and expertise in public service media, the new award is expected to reinforce creative collaboration across borders and contribute to a more vibrant and diverse European drama landscape.

The Pilot Programme for Series Co-Productions is a cultural funding programme by the Council of Europe, home of Eurimages, to support high-quality series made as international co-productions and aims to empower independent producers and foster new relationships.

The EBU Fiction Experts Group consists of the heads of drama, drama commissioners and other profiles such as editors and producers working in the field, all representing EBU Members.