Belgian Series The Inheritance Wins Sony Pictures Television Award at MIA Market

Belgian Drama Series The Inheritance Claims Top Honor at Rome MIA Market

The Belgian television series The Inheritance won the Sony Pictures Television Award for best drama project at Rome’s MIA Market as its 12th edition wrapped Friday. Centered on the death of a wealthy widow that triggers a fierce battle over her estate, the production is helmed by producers Kristoffel Mertens and Kato Maes for the Belgian shingle Panenka.

The Tech TL;DR:

• The Award: The Inheritance secured the Sony Pictures Television Award for best drama project at the 12th MIA Market in Rome.
• The Premise: The story follows the fallout from a wealthy widow’s death, igniting an estate battle driven by a complex female protagonist.
• The Creators: Produced by Kristoffel Mertens and Kato Maes through the Belgian production house Panenka, with a jury led by Sony Pictures’ Andrew Plotkin.

Jury Recognition and Production Details

The project earned praise from a jury that included Sony Pictures’ head of drama development, Andrew Plotkin. The panel commended the series for making a lasting impression through its complex, charismatic female protagonist in a traditionally male-dominated setting. The jury noted that the combination of emotionally driven characters in an original world and the universally relatable theme of family inheritance gives the series an authentic and distinctive resonance.

The announcement came during the closing ceremony of the market’s 12th edition in Rome, where more than 100 projects from 43 countries were presented across co-production markets, pitching forums, and showcases for animation, documentaries, and TV formats.

Development Awards Across Categories

The animation project award went to Sophie, if You Are There Give Us a Sign!, directed by Dario Piana. The animated film prize was awarded to All the Softness in the World, directed by Ayce Kartal. In the documentary category, the prize went to Loving Ika, directed by Emilio Di Stefano and Fabian Sigurd, while a special mention was given to the U.S.-U.K. ocean environmental investigation Bleaching Nemo, directed by Jason Brooks.

Additional accolades included the prize for outstanding drama project going to the Danish series Day Traitors, produced by Deborah Bayer Marlow and Michael Bille Frandsen. Other honors presented at the Friday closing ceremony included the GEDI Visual Award, the Screen International Award, the Mnemonica Award, and the Women in Film and Television Italia – WIFTMI Award.