The Nordic TV shows are among 16 projects to be pitched at Canneseries’ second In Development session unspooling April 8-11.

The 8x45’ Norwegian series Ice Valley (Isdalen) is created by Silje Hopland Eik and Cindy Hanson for Cinenord (Atlantic Crossing, Wisting). The mystery suspense show is written by Sofia Lersol Lund (Twin, Home Ground2) and directed by Janic Heen (Atlantic Crossing, Black Widows).

The story follows university students Thea and Amir who investigate the disappearance of their housemate Ida in Ice Valley. They start to uncover chilling mysteries and deaths connected to this legendary area.

Hopland Eik said: "This thrilling story in a University setting, centres around the real-life mythical Isdalen (Ice Valley) in Bergen, an area that became internationally known following BBC’s popular podcast about one of its infamous mysteries, the Isdal woman. Our series is inspired by the numerous other, lesser known mysterious occurrences in Isdalen, a creepy area that has attracted deaths and accidents for centuries, as well as other true and shocking events that have happened in Bergen.”

Hopland Eik said the project is in early script development. No local broadcaster is attached yet.


The 8x50’ Finnish series Transport backed by Yle, is created by Auli Mantila (The Geography of Fear) for experienced producer Miia Haavisto (Tom of Finland, The Unknown Soldier) who recently set up her own company Tekele Productions. The crime drama tells of ordinary people under immense pressure, all of whom are connected to illegal transport on the roads and wires of Europe. Auli - who will also direct - approached Haavisto a year ago with the project. “It is a strong and a relevant story. Auli is a wonderful storyteller. Her characters are realistic, ambivalent and intriguing. The extent of her research has also been truly impressive,” told Haavisto to nordicfilmandtvnews.com.

The producer will bring the second version of the full script at Canneseries and is looking forward to discussing the project in Cannes.

A total of 376 projects from 41 countries were submitted for the ‘In Development’ fast-tracking platform in Cannes. Ice Valley and Transport are among 12 Drama Producers’ pitches and another four international projects are selected for the Drama Writers’ Pitch.

The 2019 In development pitches were selected by a jury of 11 prominent TV drama executives including Ash Atalla, Managing Director Roughcut Television, (UK), Rola Bauer, Managing Director STUDIOCANAL TV, (Germany), David Ellender, President Global Distribution and Co-productions, Sonar Entertainment, (USA), Stephen Mowbray, Head of SVT International, (Sweden), Vanessa Shapiro, President WW TV Distribution & Co-Production, Gaumont Television, (USA), Christian Wikander, Director Co-Production Twelve Town (UK) among others.

Canneseries’s second edition will open on April 5 with the world premiere out of competition screening of Vernon Subutex produced by Canal+. The same day legendary UK actress Dame Diana Rigg will receive the Variety Icon Award.