The public broadcaster Betevé is expanding its commitment to original fiction with the premiere of the anthology series Episòdic, which adapts notable Catalan theatrical and literary works for the screen. The production, which debuts this Sunday, serves as a significant milestone for the Barcelona-based station as it seeks to provide a platform for emerging talent within the local audiovisual industry.
Student-led production for Episòdic
A distinctive feature of Episòdic is its collaborative development model. The project was created, directed, and filmed by a team of 38 students from various degree and master’s programs across Barcelona’s film schools and universities. Participating institutions include the ESCAC, Pompeu Fabra University, Blanquerna-URL, La Salle-URL, the University of Barcelona, the University of Lleida, the Autonomous University of Barcelona, SAE Barcelona, ECIB, ESMUC, Tecnocampus, and Bande à Part Film School.
The initiative was supported by Betevé alongside the ICUB (Institut de Cultura de Barcelona) and the Serielizados Fest. The series was selected for the closing event of this year’s Serielizados Fest, with the first two episodes screened at the Phenomena theater on October 28.
Adaptation of The Archimedes Principle
The first season of the anthology focuses on The Archimedes Principle (El principi d’Arquimedes), a celebrated work by playwright Josep Maria Miró. The narrative is structured into six 10-minute episodes and explores themes of fear, prejudice, and distrust within a swimming club setting.
The plot centers on a controversy involving a monitor who attempts to comfort a child who refused to enter the water. After the monitor embraces and kisses the child to calm him, parents express suspicion regarding the interaction, leading to a confrontation with the club’s director. While the production team behind the cameras consists of students, the cast features established actors: Albert Salazar stars as Jordi, the monitor; Anna Ycobalzeta portrays the club director; and Iván Morales plays the parent who files the complaint. Joan Esteve appears as a fellow monitor.
Filming for the project took place at the Poliesportiu Municipal Sanfeliu in L’Hospitalet de Llobregat. The series is directed by Ainhoa Lastra, Andrea Morales, and Carlos R. Haro, with a script written by Daniel Duran, Marta Lorenzo, and Ariadna Puértolas.
Episòdic premieres on Betevé after festival debut
Following its festival debut, Episòdic is scheduled for its television premiere on Betevé this Sunday. The series represents a strategic effort by the public broadcaster to bridge the gap between academic training and professional production environments. La docusèrie Revolució es va estrenar a la Xarxa Audiovisual Local.
